Shop plans for ex-William Hill premises in St Helens decided on

What were the plans?

An application was sent in earlier this year for a proposed change of use of the vacant former William Hill on Seddon Street, Windlehurst, into a retail premises.

Applicant Mr A Kanthanathan submitted the bid for a certificate of lawfulness to council planners, which claimed that prior approval is not required for the conversion.

A planning statement by agents MAT Design in the application stated: "As we understand it, there is no prior approval application required and the only requirement is to write to the Local Planning Authority informing them when the building will change over from the Sui Genris Use (betting office) to Use Class E."

The statement added: "The proposals for the site are to use the existing betting office commercial floor space as a retail premises selling convenience goods" and that "no external alterations are proposed as part of this application". 

It concluded: "The change of use of the commercial floor space is permitted development under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class A of the most recent General Permitted Development Order".

However, 69 letters of objection were sent in against the application, with residents signing a petition to express their opposition.

Why did residents object?

One resident, who lives on the street close to the former William Hill, said to the Star: "Our street is a quiet street and we do already have a convenient stop on the corner. 

"It is a fabulous shop run by a lovely family and it had a Post Office inside.

"A lot of people have signed a petition to stop the betting shop being turned into another off-licence, we also have another shop just at the bottom of Hard Lane so that makes two within a two-minute walk of each other.

"It is to no one’s benefit for another shop to move in five doors done from an existing one and I can speak for the street and surrounding area when I say we do not want another shop."

The former William Hill, on Seddon Street (Image: Google Street View)

What did council planning officers say?

In a report, planning officer Kim Vo noted objections also claimed plans would be “detrimental to the well-being and safety of residents and “will exacerbate issues related to noise and disturbance”, with concerns regarding parking and traffic. It was claimed “the proposed use will not be in keeping with the residential character of the area”.

However, Ms Vo added: “In response to the above objections, the proposed use will maintain the commercial use of the unit and is considered to generate similar levels of noise, activity and comings and goings as the unit’s previous use as a betting office.

"Whilst concern has been raised regarding parking, traffic and highway safety, Seddon Street has no parking restrictions and given the nature of the proposed retail use, any parking required will likely be for short periods of time”.

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The report added the location is “sustainably located close to nearby public transport links” adding that “notwithstanding the comments raised in objections, as the application is for a Lawful Development Certificate, the local planning authority can only consider whether, on the facts of the case and relevant planning law, the specific matter is or would be lawful.”

In a decision notice, planning officers stated: “Based upon the evidence submitted with the application and having regard to all material facts, St. Helens Council hereby give notice that on the date the application was made, the development was lawful within the meaning of Section 191 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990”.

This added the conversion to a betting shop is therefore permitted “proving the developer provides written notification of the date on which the use of the building will change”.