Apartment blocks plans for Fishwicks Industrial Estate

Proposals have been sent to the council seeking permission to build "affordable" apartments on land next to Baxters Lane, Sutton.

The site forms part of the wider Fishwicks Industrial Estate and is unused following demolition of the previous industrial buildings. 

Previously planning permission for 93 homes at the site had been granted in 2016, which has now expired.

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A planning statement has been submitted by agents Hive Land & Planning on behalf of applicants Stanley Investments and Jigsaw Homes.

It states: "Two apartment blocks are proposed, comprising of 28 one bedroom apartments.

"Each block is to be two storeys in height, with one block fronting Baxters Lane containing eight apartments and the second block is positioned within the site at a right angle, which contains 20 apartments".

The application states all 28 units are to be "delivered as affordable housing, made available for affordable rent". 

Plans add 30 car parking spaces are to be provided, equating to one per apartment plus two visitor spaces, with four disabled spaces among them. There will also be a "cycle parking space" for each apartment.

It adds: "New trees are proposed to be planted across the entire site and have been integrated throughout the development."

The application site (Image: Hive Land & Planning (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

Plans say: "The focus will be meeting the housing needs of those living in St Helens, including newly emerging households, and attracting new households to settle in St Helens, to boost sustainability and vitality, and supporting local service provision".

Hive said that when it carried out hand delivery of consultation leaflets, some residents expressed support for the proposals as it "would occupy an area that is currently blighted through anti-social behaviour and other activities such as fly-tipping".

Plans say revisions have been made to the scheme "to address the concerns raised" by planning officers during the pre-application stage with a "reduction in the number of units".

The statement concludes: "The site previously formed part of a wider site that was granted planning permission for 93 dwellings in 2016 and so the principle of residential development at the site has already been established".

It adds: "This statement has demonstrated that the proposals to redevelop the Site for residential use is fully in accordance with local and national planning policies and other material considerations" adding "proposals represent a long-term viable use for the site".

Plans have attracted a latter of objection with one business expressing concern over road access via Baxters Lane "as this is a busy road and us and other businesses have HGV lorries delivering daily to our premises". 

Standard consultation of the plans to the public lasts until Wednesday, December 7, with a determination deadline set for January 31, 2023.