Homes plans for demolished Parr Mount Court site in St Helens passed

The application, by Torus, is for the creation of 32 affordable homes at the former Parr Mount Court site, on South John Street, Fingerpost.

Plans include for 11 two-bed houses, eight three-bed houses, nine four-bed houses and four one-bed apartments, with associated landscaping works and parking.

The former Parr Mount Court apartment block was demolished due to no longer meeting "modern day standards".

A design and access statement in the plans said the proposed development “will provide much needed high quality housing with a range of tenures and will connect the site back to the rest of the community improving the security of the area via the overlooking provided and reduce the existing and future anti-social behaviour noted in the area”.

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Council planning officer Natasha Ayres said in a report that officers had provided feedback during the planning process on the design and layout of the site. It was said: "As the site has frontages onto the four adjacent streets it was important that the site was of a high design standard. Taking this on board the amended proposed layout allows for the development to provide strong frontages along key vehicle routes and links into the existing road network, it is considered to provide a positive feature within the area."

It states the architectural style of the proposed units "ensures that the scheme incorporates both diversity and variety across the site".

The report added: "The scheme presents a clear focus upon the delivery of semi detached and terrace dwellings with some taller town houses. The proposals are a mix of three and two-storey dwellings, in keeping with existing character of surrounding development".

A graphic in the plans which were submitted (Image: Halsall Lloyd Partnership (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

The report said "it is considered that the existing housing surrounding the application site is defined by a dense urban character, with a tight grain of development, and therefore the proposed development would not look at odds with the defining character.

"Finally, the previous development on the site incorporated a much larger building as such it is considered the proposed development will maintain the existing situation".

It was said there are proposals for 40 parking spaces as a combination of in curtilage and communal parking spaces.

The report said: "Based on the average level of car ownership there would be a demand for 22 parking spaces. Given the tenure, size and location of the properties near to the Town Centre the proposed level of parking is considered more than adequate."

.It was noted: "The scheme has been amended considerably since the first submission, with planning officers and consultees having worked hard to provide a scheme that delivers the high-quality environment to terms of the landscaping, street hierarchy and natural environments."

The report concluded: "The proposed development would make a beneficial contribution to the borough’s housing land supply by developing a brownfield site in a sustainable location, whilst also delivering affordable housing in a zone where affordable housing is not required, thereby providing 100 per cent affordable housing that might otherwise not be realised".

Planning permission was formally granted.