DOZENS of homes could be built on the site of a former gas works that some residents fear could be home to unexploded bombs.

A proposal to build eight houses, six bungalows and 26 apartments at Prescot Gas Works on Moss Street was first submitted to Knowsley Council in 2020 as part of an application for outline planning permission.

Poven Developments Ltd initially wanted to build seven extra apartments at the site, which sits close to Prescot Cables football Club.  However, the number was later reduced “to allow for improvements to landscaping and car parking.”

According to a Knowsley Council planning officer report produced ahead of a meeting of Knowlsey’s planning committee tonight, September 8, a dozen objections were received to the plans, including from two local councillors.

One object relates to an operational gas works located on the site and which the development would be built around.  The plans include building a bund, or dividing wall, to separate the gas works.

Residents have objected, claiming that building around the gas works constitutes a serious hazard for potential residents.

However, the planning officer report states: “The gas distribution centre is not classed as a ‘hazardous installation’ and, therefore, whether it would be ‘safe’ to erect a residential development in its vicinity is not a matter that is relevant to this decision. ”

The report adds that the operators of the site, Cadent, also did not oppose the development – although it is noted that a gas pipe running under part of the site would be classed as a “major hazard”.

However, there are no plans to build close to the gas pipeline, according to planning documents. The report adds that the Health and Safety Executive has also lodged no objections or concerns around the proposed layout.

Another objection received involved concerns about the site having been on a WW2 “bomb route” meaning unexploded devices could still be in the ground.

According to Knowsley Council planning officers, however, there is “no firm evidence that bomb releases occurred onto the site and no ordinance has since been unearthed.”

Concerns  were also expressed around contamination of land at the site. Planning officers said that Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service has assessed contaminated land reports and “believe that the site can be safely developed.”

The report adds: “However, they have requested that further information is provided to enable a robust remediation strategy to be developed given the history of the site” which was once home to a pottery works before it became a gas works.

Other objections include concerns about over-development in the area, potential traffic issues and the impact of the development on infrastructure.

While the site has been described by officers as “challenging”,  the outline plans are recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

Members of Knowsley Council’s planning committee will now meet at Huyton municipal buildings tonight to decide whether to approve or reject the proposals.