DEVELOPERS who were denied permission to houses and apartments near to the former Pilkington headquarters have launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Applicants The Sovini Group drew up plans in 2022 for the homes after a previous application had been refused.
The application had sought permission for 64 homes, including a mix of semi-detached houses and two apartment blocks.
A planning statement, drawn up by agents Peacock + Smith, said: “The site is currently vacant unused private land that is fully secured through security fencing and locked gates and has no public access or public footpaths across”.
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Plans said 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.
Proposals added the “scheme is to provide 100 per cent affordable housing, with all house properties being available for Rent to Buy tenure, whilst the apartments will be available for Reduced Rent tenure”.
Plans state that “all semi-detached dwellings are proposed to be two-storeys in height, with the apartment blocks being taller at 3.5 storeys.”
They said that “the dwellings will have large rear gardens, of varying sizes but consistent with the predominant built pattern of the surrounding area”.
The planning statement argued: “The release of greenfield land, close to the town centre has been justified through the significant social, economic and environmental benefits delivered through the provision of 64 dwellings, all of which will be occupied as affordable dwellings."
Numerous objections were sent in against the plans with concerns including over traffic congestion, loss of habitat and infringements on privacy.
St Helens Council planning officer Daley Parsonage recommended the plans be refused permission.
He stated: "It is however considered that the proposed housing scheme to completely alter the character of the site and how it relates to the designated heritage assets located immediately to the north.
"The impact on the application site would be severe and would bring modern sub-urban housing up to and adjoining the southern boundary of those assets causing harm to the contribution made by the setting to the significance of both the listed buildings and historic park and garden.
"It is considered the benefit of housing on the site does not outweigh the less than substantial harm to the heritage assets."
Planning permission was refused by the council.
The appeal by The Sovini Group to the Planning Inspectorate was lodged in February this year and remains in progress.
A decision date has not yet been decided.
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