PLANS for six one-bed flats have been granted formal permission.

An application proposing the demolition of an existing commercial building and the creation of the flats, on Cambridge Road, was submitted in late 2022.

A design, access and planning statement in support of the planning application for the development said it seeks to promote a scheme that ‘satisfies’ current national and local planning policies and ‘best design practice’ guidance.

It added the proposal seeks to ‘address the redevelopment of a derelict site into a high-quality residential development’.

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It also said the proposed development is two storeys high and has ‘no impact’ on surrounding residential properties, and aims to ‘continue the street scene’ of Cambridge Road and ‘infill the vacant site’.

Furthermore, it said that the design of the development seeks to be sympathetic to the existing housing developments surrounding the site and improve the views of the site by creating a modern appearance to the layout.

It added: “The site is situated to the east of Cambridge Road and within 500m of the centre of St Helens which has a variety of amenities, shops, schools, health centre and very good public transportation links.

“Cambridge Road has an existing bus service and there are local bus stops within 400m vicinity to the site. Therefore, with public transport and existing street parking for cars,  the site is sustainable for transportation links.

“There are community facilities in the local area including a public house, primary school, church, post office and shop as well as the wider facilities to be found in St Helens town centre.”

Meanwhile, the statement said the scheme seeks to use a previously developed site and has been designed to provide a ‘high-quality scheme with its own identity and coherent character’, while minimising impact on local residents by ‘careful disposition of buildings on site and meeting the directions’ outlined in the local plan.

Recommending approval, case officer Natasha Ayres said: "The proposal is not considered to result in a loss of a commercial facility in this instance given the time it has been vacant the loss of this unit is considered acceptable.

"The proposal avoids negatively impacting neighbour amenity".

Plans were granted permission.