Plans to redevelop Stork Inn, Billinge for apartments sent in

Initial proposals for the Stork Inn site on Main Street, Billinge were shared on the website of planning consultants Grimster Planning earlier in March and led to strong opposition from residents and councillors.

Developers SEP Construction Services have now put forward formal plans for the proposed redevelopment of land and buildings at the site with an application submitted to St Helens Council.

The applicants said they sought public comments on the proposals and that feedback received during the consultation process was taken into account prior to the submission of the formal plans.

A design and access statement in the plans says: "The application is for a sympathetic conversion of the former Stork Inn building into eight Apartments in addition to a complimentary designed apartment building consisting of 18 apartments.

"The site would therefore provide 26 apartments being split as 17 x one-bedroom and nine x two-bedroomed apartments proposed in addition to ancillary services and landscaping.

"It is clear that the site offers an opportunity to deliver some much needed affordable housing in the borough to meet the local requirement.

"The scheme looks to provide a range of one and two-bedroomed affordable apartments which are to be provided as affordable rent".

A CGI of the proposls from Main Street Pic: St Helens Council Planning Portal

It adds: "In order to appreciate the intricacies of an old building a full and thorough measured survey was conducted to accurately record the existing building and also allow the design team to then work with the existing fabric and features in order to create a design in harmony with it.

"Following the public consultation many comments seemed to show a preference for the retention of the Stork building.

"Although the building is not a listed or heritage asset it was decided that a redesign should include for its retention and refurbishment".

It also says: "Care has been taken within the design to ensure that the new building sits well with the renovated Stork building" and that the "three storey new building actually sits lower in the site as its set back from Newton Road.

A CGI of how the proposed development would look from newton Road Pic: St Helens Council Planning Portal

"The proposed 1100mm high stone boundary wall then further shields the proposal and as such the visual impact within the street scene is reduced".

The document adds that, following the pre-application process, the scheme was revised and then put out to a consultation in March to gauge public opinion.

The redesign included the mass and scale of the development being reduced and apartment numbers reduced from 30 to 26.

In a statement on Facebook, Billinge and Seneley Green councillor Sue Murphy, a vocal opponent of the initial plans, said: "These are the new proposals for The Stork, not ideal but at least it would save the original building which is what residents want.

"At least they listened to us when we met to discuss it with planners as originally it was to be knocked down

"We will have to see if the gain planning permission I would have a number of concerns which I will raise accordingly".

The plans are on standard consultation to the public until August 25, with a determination deadline set for October 29.

View the application here.