Objections to air cooler units for shop at former church in Toll Bar

Shop plans approved

Plans to convert the former Independent Methodist Church on West Street, Toll Bar, into a shop were approved by St Helens Council last December.

Planning officers had ruled the proposed shop "avoids negatively impacting neighbour amenity and no objections have been raised by Environmental Health". 

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Now applicant Mr A Kanthanathan has submitted proposals for three air cooler units to be installed at the back of the upcoming shop, located on the residential street, at the junction with Carlow Street.

What residents are saying

Some residents told the Star that they had not been made aware of the initial plans to convert the former church, and believe that more objections would have been lodged if they had known about the proposals.

They also claim the shop is “not necessary” given other nearby premises.

Numerous residents have raised objections to the plans for the air conditioning units which they believe will cause huge problems over noise which will disrupt their lives 24 hours a day.

The former Independent Methodist Church (Image: St Helens Council Planning Portal)

One objector wrote: “Has the applicant considered the potential noise and how this will impact local residents should the units be running in the evening and or at night”.

'How are we supposed to cope with the constant noise'?

Another resident wrote: “It is already apparent that this project and the people behind it have no consideration for the residents and the negative impact this business is having/will have on our daily lives.

“Building work, which involved the use of power tools, was still being carried out at the location at 11pm one evening last week.

“The proposal for the installation of these air conditioning units will have a further negative impact on the quality of life of the residents in the direct surrounding area. There is bound to be a lot of noise coming from the units, which will be located directly in front of my baby's bedroom, not five metres away”.

They added: “How are we supposed to cope with the constant noise being emitted?

“Our homes are supposed to be a place where we can relax and feel content, this project will be completely destroying that. No consideration has been made for the safety and wellbeing of the neighbours who live in very close proximity to the property”.

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A report in the plans by Nicoletta Vianello, environmental health noise officer, states a “Noise Assessment report is necessary” due “the immediate proximity of residential units”, with “the surrounding area is a densely populated residential area”.

It was added “the three air cooler units could cause noise nuisance and “a different location / height should be taken into consideration in the Noise Assessment report”.

A determination deadline on the plans, which were submitted in January, has been set for February 28.

Residents say they hope to take the application to the council’s planning committee, to make representations against the proposals.