Torus will 'collaborate with residents' over Gerards Bridge project

As the Star recently reported, a new application was sent by Torus to the council for prior notification of 61 three-storey homes at Gerards Bridge,

These include 41 on Union Street; six on College Street; 14 at Fox Place, near the town centre.

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The properties lined up for demolition include 1 to 33 Union Street; 2 to 48 Union Street; 1 to 13 Fox Place; 2 to 14 Fox Place and 107 to 117 College Street.

The plans to destroy the current properties and replace them have been in the pipeline for a number of years, with many residents from the site rehoused. The latest demolition plans are a resubmission of earlier proposals.

Demolitions will take place in the blue-marked area (Image: St Helens Council Planning Portal)

The new application that was sent in stated that demolition is sought due to "loss of revenue" and "high ASB (anti-social behaviour) issues".

The plans added that "Torus Developments will be redeveloping the site" with discussions over this "ongoing".

When asked by the Star, Torus said that following clearing the site, they will “collaborate” with residents and the community to create plans for an “affordable housing scheme”.

'Affordable housing scheme'

Chris Bowen, managing director at Torus Developments, said: "As a housing developer, our focus has and always will be building great, affordable homes and that is what we will continue to do at Union Street.

“Following clearing the site, we will collaborate with residents and the local community to create plans for an affordable housing scheme that will positively contribute to the areas future." 

Phase one of the demolition would see the off numbers on Union Street flattened.

The even numbers on Fox Place will be phase two followed by the homes on College Street. Phase four would then be the even numbers on Union Street.