PLANS have been drawn up seeking permission to convert a unit at an industrial estate into a cat boarding facility.

Proposals to change the use of Alexander House, on Dixon Close, at Old Boston Trading Estate in Haydock from warehouse and office use to a cat centre have been submitted to council planners.

The application has been sent in by cat welfare charity Cats Protection for the centre.

A design and access statement, drawn up by planning agents, Bowker Sadler Architecture, says: “The building itself comprises of a two-storey ‘front of house’ B2 unit over two storeys.

“Attached to the B2 unit sits a small portal frame industrial type B8 unit which is connected internally to the B2 unit via a doorway”.

The unit had been marketed for more than 12 months and “has been vacant during this time”, plans state.

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As part of the proposals, “the intention is to replace the roof above the B8 warehouse element”.

It is also proposed “to complete a thorough renovation and repair/ thermal upgrade of elements of the building to accommodate a new Cat Centre accommodating up to 32 cats”.

Plans say there will be “10 full-time equivalent staff employees with remote workers providing additional support and contributing to the smooth running of the premises”.

Visits by the public “would be limited to appointment only”.

The proposed unit for the cat boarding facilityThe proposed unit for the cat boarding facility (Image: Bowker Sadler (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

The statement adds: “Overall number of visits are not envisaged to be greater than the previously established use on the site and therefore no intensification of use in this regard and therefore it doesn’t represent any greater threat to highway safety than already exists should a similar B2/B8 use be incumbent”.

It concludes: “The proposed use will maintain an employment presence on the site and enable Cats Protection to continue with its valuable charitable work in the community.

“The building has fallen into a state of disrepair in key areas during the time it has been vacant and the proposal will see a significant investment in repair and maintenance of the property”.

The plans are on standard consultation until Thursday, November 14. Council planners are expected to make a decision on the application by December 17.