COUNCIL planners have ruled that two town centre properties can be converted into flats as prior approval is not required for the change of use.

Separate applications were drawn up in relation to the ground floors of 46 and 48 Claughton Street, in St Helens town centre.

The applications were sent in to determine whether prior approval for the changes of use was required from the Local Planning Authority.

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A planning officer’s reports state that the ground floor of one of the properties “is currently vacant but has a former use for indoor fitness for ‘North West Pilates & Yoga Centre’” while the other has been “in use as an indoor fitness studio for ‘BOXTIN Personal Training’”.

The first floor to both properties are both already in use as self-contained flats.

For both applications, planning officer Kim Vo stated: “It is considered that the proposed development complies with the requirements of Class MA, Part 3, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning Order 2015.

“On this basis it is considered that the prior approval of details is not required.”