HERE is a look at five planning stories we have covered over the past month relating to proposals that have been submitted or decided on.
HMO in Dentons Green refused
PLANS to convert a property into a house of multiple occupation which sparked numerous objections from nearby residents have been refused.
Applicant Bartosz Ciuba submitted the plans to the council for the change of use of a property on Dentons Green Lane, Dentons Green.
The application attracted 13 objections, with concerns over traffic, rubbish, increased noise, security, potential increases in anti-social behaviour and crime, and an "excessive number of bedrooms proposed in the HMO" among those expressed.
Council planning officer Kim Vo stated in a report that "whilst the broad principle for the proposed change of use to a HMO to support housing demand is generally supported and would accord with Policy LPA02 and LPA04 of the Local Plan, the proposed change of use is considered to result in a harmful, detrimental impact upon residential amenities".
Planning permission was refused.
Reda the story here.
North Road HMO
AMENDED plans seeking permission to use a property as a house of multiple occupation was passed.
Plans for a change of use of the former North Road Mart premises into a nine-bedroom HMO and external alterations had been approved last year.
The applicant since submitted proposals to amend the plans for the ground floor.
Recommending approval, planning officer Alex Ball said: "It is not considered that the change of use would attract excessive noise levels.
"A condition would limit occupation of the HMO to nine people. This would not result in significant impact from comings and goings and the building does not adjoin another property to result in internal noise transfer."
Read the story here.
Railway stations additions
Applications to install additions at railway stations in the borough have been approved.
Among the stations to have works are Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown and St Helens Junction, where listed building consent was granted.
Three braille maps and a drop-off shelter at Newton-le-Willows railway station has been approved.
Meanwhile, the installation of a braille map and a drop-off shelter at Earlestown have also been given the go-ahead.
Also, 'Listed Building consent' for three braille maps, six tapping rail signs, and a drop-off shelter at St Helens Junction received the goa-head from council planners.
Network Rail has also submitted separate plans to reconstruct part of a decrepit wall at the boundary of Junction station.
Gym extension
A GYM is seeking planning permission to enable it to improve its facilities.
Proposals have been submitted to council planners for a change of use of a construction training centre to extend Peak Fitness gym, on Fleet Lane, Parr.
A design and access statement in the plans says proposals seek to change the use of the former St Helens Chamber Construction Training Centre into additional facilities for Peak Fitness, including a relocated boxing area, a new yoga and aerobics suite and accompanying new changing facilities including showers and saunas.
The plans are on standard consultation to the public until Monday, June 10. A decision by council planners is expected on the application by July 11.
Read the story here.
Homes plans near ex-Pilks HQ
AN APPEAL over the refusal of controversial proposals for houses and apartments near to the former Pilkington headquarters has been dismissed by 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 for the location on land to the south of the former Pilkington head office off Prescot Road.
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 officers refused permission citing “harm to heritage assets."
The appeal by The Sovini Group to the Planning Inspectorate was lodged in February this year.
Planning inspector Andrew Smith said: “The scheme’s public benefits would not, in my judgement, outweigh the less than substantial harm that I have identified would be caused to the heritage significance.”
The appeal was thrown out.
Read the story here.
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