APARTMENTS and homes on vacant land, a pocket park and a guesthouse are among planning applications the Star has reported on over the past month.
Here is a look at five planning stories we have covered during February on applications that have either been submitted or approved.
Apartments and houses on Atlas Street
PLANS to build an apartment block and three-storey houses on a vacant patch of land have been granted approval.
Developer Westchurch Homes submitted the plans last year to St Helens Council for the proposed 42 houses and 24 apartments on land at Atlas Street, in Fingerpost.
The canal-side site stretches from Corporation Street to the south, to Atlas Street to the north, and the application stated it is “a desirable location for residential development”.
In a report recommending approval, planning officer Joe Nanson said: "The proposed development would contribute towards housing delivery within the borough" and "the proposal has evidenced the number of dwellings that can be delivered on the site with an acceptable design standard, which would not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of existing and future residents".
Read the full story here.
HMO above Royal Alfred pub
A planning application seeking to create a house of multiple occupation (HMO) above a town centre pub has been given the go-ahead.
Proposals which sought permission for a 12-bedroom HMO on the first and second floors above the Royal Alfred pub, on the junction of Bickerstaffe Street and Shaw Street, in St Helens, were sent to the council in November 2023.
The ground floor pub, which is close to St Helens Central railway station, will be unaffected by the proposed HMO, plans stated.
In a report, recommending approval, a planning officer said: "The proposed use would also be in keeping with the adjoining residential apartments to the west".
Read the story here.
Pocket park on open space
Plans have been drawn up to create a "pocket park" at open space in St Helens.
Proposals listed on the council's planning portal seek permission for a small park area to be created at the patch of grass, off Cooper Street.
The proposed location is situated on the opposite side of the road to the Turks Head and Cowley Vaults pubs, between Cooper Street, Halefield Street and Chapel Street.
According to an application form in the plans for the "construction of a pocket park" the facility will "incorporate benches, lighting, planting and bins" along with a "footway and cycleway connection from Cooper Street to Halefield Street".
The plans form part of wider draft proposals for Cowley Hill, as part of the By Ours project, a Freshfield Foundation-funded liveable neighbourhood scheme run in partnership with the city region combined authority and charity, Sustrans, to help communities reimagine their area.
Read more here.
Guesthouse above Mr Chan's restaurant
Plans to use disused residential space above a restaurant as a guesthouse have been given the nod.
Proposals have been sent to St Helens council planners for the change of use of the first floor at 21-23, and 25 North Road, above Mr Chan's restaurant.
A statement in the plans said: "The applicant believes that St Helens is ideally located to provide access to cities like Liverpool and Manchester, the Lake District and North Wales.
"The premises, should the application be successful, would advertise the availability of the rooms based on that locality and the advantages of St Helens."
The plans were approved.
Read more here.
Cemex office and laboratory
A concrete plant has submitted plans to create a new office and an on-site laboratory.
Building materials firm Cemex has drawn up proposals for its site on Jackson Street, Fingerpost.
Plans include for the replacement of a "dilapidated" single storey office unit, which is "unable to be used" with a new two-storey facility.
Meanwhile, plans also include for the installation of a "small on-site laboratory unit" and minor modifications to existing parking arrangements.
Plans state some preparatory groundworks have taken place at the site in readiness for the proposed new office units, with the application marked as part-retrospective.
Read more here.
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