A PLANNING application has been drawn up seeking permission to use the site of a former police station as a public open space.

Countryside Partnerships has sent in proposals to St Helens Council for the former Thatto Heath Police Station site.

The application has been submitted in conjunction with a previous one for the demolition of the empty police station building.

It was reported in 2022 that the Thatto Heath site was one of four stations across Merseyside deemed to be surplus to requirements to be disposed of by the force.

The Star recently reported that the demolition will require prior approval from the planning authority due to the potential for dust to cause nuisance to surrounding properties, and a requirement for a “lighting scheme”.

A covering letter in the new application to council planners reads: "On behalf of Countryside Partnerships find enclosed an application for the change of use of the former Thatto Heath Police Station to public open space.

"The application is submitted via the Planning Portal. This application is submitted in tandem with an application under Schedule 2, Part 11, Class B of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) for the demolition of the disused police station".

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It adds: "The application site sits adjacent to the primary area of public open space and offers a natural extension to the approved area of open space thereby expanding the area of open space.

"The use of this site as public open space also offers an opportunity to open up, enhance and soften the access to the approved area of open space.

"This will create a more inviting and coherent area of public open space to the benefit of existing and future residents.

"The site will include a pedestrian access directly from Thatto Heath Road and asphalt paths which connect into the paths on the adjacent open space. The proposed planting will be a mixture of native shrub planting, a wildflower meadow and tree planting".

The application is on standard consultation to the public until Thursday, November 2.

A decision on the plans is expected by December 4.