HERE is a look at five planning stories we covered during September.
HMO approved
A bid for a certificate of lawfulness for the change of use of a home to a five-person HMO, on Harris Street, in Dentons Green, was successful.
The applicant, named on the council planning portal as 'GG-375-187 LIMITED' and planning agents AM Architectural Studios Ltd, drew up the application and sent it to St Helens Council.
In a report, planning officer Alex Ball said: "The Local Planning Authority are satisfied that the proposed change of use of the existing dwellinghouse under Class C3 to a small HMO under Class C4 at the application site would constitute as permitted development and would not require planning permission, providing it is not occupied by more than six residents at any one time.
"A Certificate of Lawfulness can therefore be granted."
Read the story here.
Mill Lane homes appeal
A developer has officially appealed the council's decision to refuse a planning application for 99 homes in Newton-le-Willows.
As reported by the Star, Wain Homes submitted a proposal for 99 houses on land off Mill Lane, on the edge of Newton-le-Willows, in November 2023.
The proposals would have seen homes built on land that had been removed from the green belt by St Helens Council, but the local authority's planning committee rejected the plans in March 2024.
This was the second time the council had rejected plans from Wain Homes for this site, with a similar proposal also refused in December 2022.
The council also said that the development would result in a "visually isolated form of development that would be harmful to the general character and appearance of the area".
Despite the second refusal, Wain Homes have appealed this decision to the government's Planning Inspectorate.
In its previous planning application, the developer explained that it has an "overall masterplan vision" for the site, with aims to build up to 300 homes.
Read here.
Ex-Sutton Methodist Church
Plans to bulldoze a disused Methodist Church and build terraced properties in its place have been approved.
Proposals for the construction of seven houses, parking and associated works following the demolition of the Sutton Methodist Church building, on New Street, Sutton, were sent to the council earlier this year.
They were submitted by applicants Space Design & Build Ltd.
Plans added that Sutton Methodist Church, built in the mid-20th century, has been vacant for more than 12 months and "little used for some considerable time".
They stated: "The current building does not make efficient use of the site.
"As such, the proposal is to demolish the existing building and replace it with a terraced row of seven, two and a half storey dwellings.”
In a report, planning officer Alex Ball said: "The site is no longer required as a place of worship and there are many alternative churches within the local area, so its retention for its last use would not be of benefit to the local community.”
It was concluded: "The benefits of the scheme would include the redevelopment of a vacant brownfield site in the urban area to provide seven dwellings, providing a satisfactory living environment for the future occupiers.
"The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of existing and future residents."
Read the story here.
Ex-HMRC office
An application seeking permission to convert a prominent vacant office building in the town into apartments has been granted.
Previous proposals to turn the former HMRC office on College Street into 66 residential apartments had been approved by the council back in 2019.
However, the permission for this expired as the project was hit by delays and the building has remained empty since the former Tax Credits office at the Crown Buildings was closed in August 2018.
A new application was drawn up seeking prior approval for a change of use of the building to a slightly reduced number of 63 apartments.
A full planning application was also submitted in 2020 relating to external alterations and “these works are largely complete”.
The proposals were submitted by applicants H J Collection 2.
Council planners ruled that prior approval was required and was granted for the development.
Read the full story here.
Apartments at Masonic Building
A planning application was submitted seeking to create six apartments in the upper floors of a prominent corner building in the town centre.
A bid for a change of use of the upper two floors of the three-storey building at 87-89 Church Street from office/storage use to six one-bedroom apartments has been sent to council planners.
Plans include for general refurbishment works and replacement of all windows at the first and second floor levels.
Believed to have been built in the 1870s, the grand three-storey building on the corner of Church Street and Hall Street was first used by the Freemasons group in St Helens.
In September, Café Masonic launched in the ground floor, which offers a varied menu serving all-day breakfasts, hot and cold sandwiches, rice boxes, soups, and more.
The proposals for the upper floors are on standard consultation to the public until Monday, October 7.
A decision is expected by council planners by November 6.
Read the story here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here