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Search the Public Notice PortalA CONTROVERSIAL bid to create a large house of multiple occupation (HMO) has been decided on.
Plans were submitted for a change of use of 19 serviced offices at Rainhill Business Centre at Signature House, on Rainhill Road, Rainhill.
The application has been sent in by MBB Ventures Limited.
The proposals seek planning permission to use of this site as a 17-bedroom HMO.
A planning statement in the proposals stated: “Rainhill Business Centre has experienced continuing occupancy reduction over the past 12 months to such an extent that it is no longer commercially viable”.
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The application claimed “the change of use of this site from an existing office building to a 17-bedroom HMO will reduce the current parking demand”.
Plans conclude: “It will meet a recognised housing need in a sustainable location” adding “the proposed use will be in keeping with the residential character of the surrounding area”.
Objections to the plans were lodged by residents against the plans, with concerns over parking among the complaints raised.
What council planners said
St Helens Council planning officers refused the application.
In a report, officer Alex Ball said: "The proposed change of use would fail to provide adequate amenity and living conditions for the future occupiers of the proposed HMO.
"The proposal will result in substandard living conditions due to inadequate outlooks natural daylight to several bedrooms and kitchen/dining areas."
The report added "there would also be insufficient communal facilities to serve the needs of all 17 potential occupants and a lack of adequate private amenity space."
Also, "the proposed development fails to provide sufficient off-street parking provision to accommodate the needs of the future occupiers".
Mr Ball said: "This shortfall is likely to result in increased on-street parking demand in a location where there is already noted to be a high proportion of non-compliant on street parking, exacerbating congestion on surrounding highways and compromising the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians
"The proposal is contrary to Local Plan Policy LPA03: A Strong and Sustainable Economy, which seeks to protect existing employment sites and buildings from changes of use unless fully justified.
"The benefits of the proposals do not outweigh the benefits of retaining the site for employment purposes.
"Therefore, the proposal would result in the loss of an employment generating use which would be harmful to the economic vitality of the borough."
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