COUNCILLORS are set to make a decision on plans for the construction of a “pocket park” facility.

An application proposing it at the land bound by Cooper Street, Chapel Street and Halefield Street will come before the planning committee on Tuesday.

It is being recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

According to a report to the committee, the application site is currently comprised of grassland, with existing mature trees to the west. There are existing residential dwellings fully surrounding the site, adjoining the site to the south and west and beyond the highways to the north and east.

It says the proposed facility would include the installation of lighting, a black steel litter bin, public seating, bollards, tree planting and cycle parking – while 13 trees would be planted alongside the path and along the boundaries of the site with Cooper Street and Chapel Street.

The report adds: “Some of these elements have been amended in response to public representations, the seating has been amended to more robust seating cubes and the applicants advise timer functionality would be included within the lighting proposed.

“It is not considered reasonable or necessary to control the timing of the lighting through a planning condition as the council would control the lighting in future and this would allow flexibility to alter the timings depending on the time of year and need.

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“The principle of the development is acceptable as the proposal would create a new pocket park facility which will provide improved and usable green infrastructure and new opportunities for outdoor recreation.

“The proposed development would also have an acceptable impact in terms of design and appearance; residential amenity; crime and community safety; highway safety and parking; and trees and landscaping. Any contamination risks would be mitigated by conditions.

“On this basis the proposal complies with all relevant local and national planning policies and guidance.”

The plans form part of a wider scheme for the Cowley Hill area, under the By Ours’ project, a Freshfield Foundation-funded liveable neighbourhood scheme run in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and charity, Sustrans, to help communities reimagine their streets and support a number of council objectives, such as increasing levels of walking and cycling across the borough.