Resident's frustration as plans for home refused by council

Patrick O’Shaughnessy, who lives in West Park with his partner in their first home, submitted a planning application to the council.

The plans are to create two front dormers and make alterations to the existing bow window as part of home improvements.

After having to withdraw initial plans in March, Patrick sent in new proposals in June.

However, the council has refused permission, stating the works “would be to the detriment of the street scene”.

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Patrick has now made an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 

Patrick, 30, said: “It is the first time we have done a planning application, we knew nothing about it.

 “We got a signed petition from more or less everyone in the street and no one had any objections and couldn't understand the council’s decision.

“One of the neighbours on the street said ‘I don’t understand, you’re trying to make your house look nice’.

“We are currently waiting on an appeal but that could take six months.

“We feel the ruling is unfair as almost all new estates built in St Helens have houses with front-facing dormers.”

In the planning application design and access statement it was said: “The proposed dormers will be constructed to match as closely as possible to the existing roof so that it has minimal impact on the visual aspect”.

It added: “The alterations to the bay window will provide for continuance of the gabled front and considered in keeping to the front entrance porch rather than the existing bay.

“This design would also match the majority of houses within the enclave where full-length squared bay windows with roofing are dominant.

“The construction of new walls and roofing will allow for an upgrade to the existing insulation and provide a greater level of thermal efficiency to the property”.

However, planning officers refused the application, stating: “The proposed two dormer windows and one bay window would form a visually jarring extension to the front of the dwelling that does not respect the character of the original dwelling, and would be to the detriment of the street scene”.

The officer’s report added: “The applicant's agent supplied information relating to other properties within the borough that have front dormer windows and gable fronts. This shows that the council does have a positive approach to them, but these have to be within the right settings so that it doesn't detract from the original building or the character of the area as a whole”.

The plans have been refused permission (Image: St Helens Council Planning Portal)

Patrick said: “It feels like the council are being obstructive, they are supposed to come to an agreement or compromise.

“This is our first house and we’d like to stay in the area. Doing all the work is going to make the house better insulated. It would be a lot more insulated with a converted loft.

“We did the first plans in March, after the appeal it will have been over a year.

“It feels like if you’ve got a detached house, you can do whatever you want, or these big building firms can do what they want.”

When approached by the Star about the matter, a St Helens Council spokesperson said: “While we do appreciate that neighbouring residents may have been in support of this application, and we did take the petition into consideration, we must apply planning rules fairly to all applications we receive.

"Under current planning policies as set out in the officer’s report and required by national planning law, we couldn’t permit this application. 

“The appeals process does allow applicants to appeal a decision to the Planning Inspectorate, but with this process being independent from the council we have no control over this timescale.”