Plans in to turn Clock Face pub, St Helens into special needs school

Proposals for the change of use, refurbishment and extension of the Clock Face Hotel building have been sent to council planners.

The Star reported last July after the pub building had been placed on the market.

Plans aim to create a new SEND school for 54 students, with the project also including the demolition of outbuildings on the site, landscaping, parking and other associated works at the Clock Face Road location. 

The plans have seen sent in by applicants Bright Futures Care Ltd.

A design and access statement in the plans, drawn up by DV Architects, on behalf of the applicant sets out details of the proposed works.

A graphic of the proposals in the plans (Image: DV Architects (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

It says "the application site consists of the main building dating back to 1909 and a detached residential property".

The plans state "the scheme looks to preserve the local landmark through refurbishment whilst a rear extension is designed not to impede on the existing building’s street presence".

The statement adds: "Currently the building is poorly maintained in areas, particularly internally and the proposed use would see an improvement in the condition of the building both externally and internally.

"The proposed use would ensure the ongoing maintenance of the building whilst addressing the growing special educational needs of the local and wider communities.

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"The client has a number of residential care schemes in and around the St Helens area along with another SEN School site situated on the corner of Gartons Lane and Jubits Lane which has seen growing demand."

Plans state there is a "detached residential property of a similar age currently divided into small apartments" on the site which is "proposed as an admin block". 

Meanwhile, around the rest of the site "there are several low-quality additions including a large, covered beer garden and a sizeable metal clad shed" which are all "to be demolished as part of this proposal".

A graphic in the planning application (Image: DV Architects (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

Also, "a more appropriate extension" is "proposed in a similar footprint to the beer garden". It is said "the extension is proposed for the rear of the main building and is designed to minimise the impact on the street scene".

The single-storey extension will "add 223.96m2 to the scheme compared to an approximate total of 646m2 across the original main building".

The plans also seek to extend the car park further on to the site "to provide enough parking for staff and drop off times". The proposed parking areas will contain a total of 36 spaces, which includes two disabled accessible spaces and five drop off spaces.

The plans are on standard consultation to the public until Monday, February 5. A decision by planning officers is expected by March 5.