THE revised plans for the creation of houses and apartments near the former Pilkington head office have been met with opposition from residents.
Previous proposals for 76 homes, including 42 houses and 34 apartments, on land south of Alexandra Park, which attracted strong opposition from residents, were withdrawn earlier this year.
Applicants The Sovini Group have drawn up new plans which have been sent to the council for consideration.
The previous plans were withdrawn after discussions with council planning officers over the “design and density”, the applicant said.
The new application seeks permission for 64 homes, including a mix of semi-detached houses and two apartment blocks.
Plans say the proposed development would consist of 36 houses, including eight one-bedroom walk-ups; 16 two-bedroom houses and 12 three-bedroom houses.
It would also feature 28 apartments across two blocks, with 16 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments.
The applicants claimed the “overriding benefits across the strands of sustainability justify, without doubt, the release of greenfield land”.
They said the site “is not currently open to the public or accessible” and that it “therefore provides no contribution the public open and recreational space for the people of St Helens”.
However, a dozen objection letters had been sent to the council at the time of writing.
One resident said: “How anyone can allow a roadway for 60 plus dwellings to exit and enter at the Prescot Road junction next to a bus stop and so close to the Dunriding Lane traffic lights is insane”.
Some expressed opposition to greenfield land being used, and potential losses of trees and bushes.
One wrote that the road is “inadequate for the volume of traffic leading from feeder roads” and that the development would “exacerbate the issue”.
Others expressed concern over strain on amenities and “undermining the heritage status of the Pilks site which played a part in glass technology creation which St Helens is famous for”.
West Park ward councillor Marlene Quinn has also written in objection stating the proposed entrance and exit would “create further dangerous traffic hazards” and there is “a total disregard for pedestrians on Prescot Road.”
There has been one letter of support for the application submitted.
The plans remain on standard consultation to the public until Tuesday, May 31.
A determination deadline has been set for August 3.
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