Readers react to plans for Clock Face pub site in St Helens

As recently reported, proposals seeking permission for a refurbishment and extension of the Clock Face Hotel building, to turn the site into a special needs school have been sent to council planners.

The plans are to create a new SEND school for 54 students, with the project also including the demolition of outbuildings on the site, landscaping, parking and other associated works at the Clock Face Road location. 

The plans have seen sent in by applicants Bright Futures Care Ltd.

The Clock Face Hotel (Image: Google Street View)

On the Star’s social media channels, several readers welcomed the proposals, and said that special needs education facilities are “much needed” in the town.

One reader said: “My gorgeous little daughter goes to Ash Meadow around the corner (owned by Bright Futures too) and it’s such a wonderful school.

“There is a massive shortage of specialist places in St Helens and surrounding areas, meaning that many SEN kids are often forced to stay in mainstream. I really hope this is successful xxx”.

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Meanwhile, another added: “My son attends Ash Meadow round the corner which is also a Bright Futures school. We can’t speak more highly of them. They have changed our son’s life for the better. He is like a new kid. The shortage of SEN schools for the locals in St Helens has always been an issue so this is such a positive. X”.

Becky Twist wrote: “Much needed as SEN places in St Helens are few and far between!

“At least this building will be put to good use.

Every single SEN setting in this town is oversubscribed and mainstream schools are struggling to meet the needs of children.

“Let’s give our kids what they deserve! The right to an education!”

A CGI in the plans (Image: DV Architects (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

However, some concerns over the impact on traffic levels were also expressed.

Reader James McFarlane said: “Area traffic way too busy for this area. The plans look way too big for what is there, the bowling green.

“Go and do it at the reception there's room there.

“The Clock Hotel is a landmark for the area, need to keep it in some capacity. Right idea, just wrong entrance, when you are busy am and pm, junior kids are coming to school past the entrance so will be a danger.

A design and access statement in the plans, drawn up by DV Architects, on behalf of the applicant sets out details of the proposed works.

It says "the application site consists of the main building dating back to 1909 and a detached residential property".

The plans state "the scheme looks to preserve the local landmark through refurbishment whilst a rear extension is designed not to impede on the existing building’s street presence".

The statement adds: "Currently the building is poorly maintained in areas, particularly internally and the proposed use would see an improvement in the condition of the building both externally and internally.

"The proposed use would ensure the ongoing maintenance of the building whilst addressing the growing special educational needs of the local and wider communities.

"The client has a number of residential care schemes in and around the St Helens area along with another SEN School site situated on the corner of Gartons Lane and Jubits Lane which has seen growing demand."

Plans state there is a "detached residential property of a similar age currently divided into small apartments" on the site which is "proposed as an admin block". 

Meanwhile, around the rest of the site "there are several low-quality additions including a large, covered beer garden and a sizeable metal clad shed" which are all "to be demolished as part of this proposal".

Also, "a more appropriate extension" is "proposed in a similar footprint to the beer garden". It is said "the extension is proposed for the rear of the main building and is designed to minimise the impact on the street scene".

The single-storey extension will "add 223.96m2 to the scheme compared to an approximate total of 646m2 across the original main building".

The plans also seek to extend the car park further on to the site "to provide enough parking for staff and drop off times". The proposed parking areas will contain a total of 36 spaces, which includes two disabled accessible spaces and five drop off spaces.

The plans are on standard consultation to the public until Monday, February 5. A decision by planning officers is expected by March 5.