PLANS to demolish a historic pub premises in Earlestown and create apartments in its place have been approved after amendments were made to reflect the historical character of the building.

The plans for the site of the Railway Hotel on Railway Street, near to Earlestown train station, were submitted to the council last autumn.

The proposed development was for 15 apartments, along with 10 parking spaces and associated landscaping.

Torus submitted the proposals to St Helens Council's planning department.

A design and access statement, drawn up by BTP Architects, in support of the planning application, said: "The building has been vacant for a number of years despite efforts to revive its original use or to find a new viable use.

"The deterioration of the building fabric is accelerating, and it is presently in a semi derelict condition. In our experience the building continued decay threatens its very existence and reuse is no longer economically viable in its present form".

The Railway Hotel building dates back to around 1920, the plans said.

The statement added: "Research by Torus’s Letting Department has shown that there has been an increasing demand for accommodation in this location.

"The site occupies a prominent location in relation to the town's train station and is subsequently highly visible to people departing, arriving, and passing through the area".

The statement also said: "It is inevitable that the Railway Hotel’s continual use as a place for public recreation and leisure over many years, means it has a place in the memories and hearts of many Earlestown residents.

"Its association with the Railway Station (Grade II) and the now demolished Curzon Cinema creates a link to past uses and people. As such, it must be considered that the asset has some historical significance but that this is limited.

"Any educational value this has is minimal".

READ > Flats being remodelled to create homes for rough sleepers

It also added: "The proposal redevelopment would therefore provide a significant demonstration of the physical improvements being carried out within the heart of the ward through greatly enhancing the visual amenity of the site currently suffering due to the poor condition of the current building".

It concluded: "The impact of the redevelopment of the Railway Hotel will have a minimal impact on the setting of the Conservation Area or the adjacent Railway Station.

"Any perceived impact will be greatly outweighed by the tangible benefits provided by the renewal of the built fabric and the delivery of much needed accommodation".

In a report, planning officer Daley parsonage said: "Concerns were raised that the original proposed design of the replacement building failed to reflect the built qualities of the conservation area or the buildings former use as a public house.

"To mitigate the harm caused by the loss of the building the design has been improved to include more traditional detailing.

"It is considered that the amendments made to the building reflect the historical character of the surrounding building in the conservation area and is of significantly high quality to mitigate some of the harm caused by the loss of the building within the Conservation Area".

It was added: "Although taller at 2.5 storeys than the existing building the proposed replacement is sited further away from Curzon Place than the existing building".

The report said: "There is the potential for noise and disturbance to impact future residents from the operation of the railway opposite. A noise survey has been provided.

"Details of a scheme of acoustic mitigation can be conditioned. This will ensure an acceptable level of amenity for future occupiers.

"The development is not considered to result in harm to the residential amenities of neighbouring properties".

Recommending approval of the scheme, the report concluded "it is considered public benefits of the scheme in terms of the provision of affordable housing on a brownfield site outweighs the loss of the building".

Formal permission has been granted.