Plymouth Brethren Christian Church submits plans for ex-Scott Clinic

The Star reported in October that the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church was seeking to create a place of worship at the former Scott Clinic, off Rainhill Road.

Plans for 'Rainhill Place'

Nearby residents had received consultation leaflets about the proposed project.

The site has been plagued by anti-social behaviour in recent years, including incidents of youths trespassing, vandalising and starting fires at the location.

The Scott Clinic was closed in 2015.

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a Christian denomination with its origins in the 19th century.

It has attracted negative headlines in recent years after some ex-members shared their experiences.

On its website, the church says media references to the PCCC as being a "cult" are inaccurate, stating: "We are not a cult. We are a global Christian fellowship that live peacefully amongst neighbourhoods all over the world."

The church said it is seeking to create 'Rainhill Place' in its bid to "reimagine the site as a place of worship, learning and charitable outreach".

The former Scott Clinic (Image: Google Street View)

In a statement to the Star in October, a spokesperson for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church said: “Since its closure in 2015, the site has deteriorated into a poor state with derelict buildings attracting antisocial behaviour and posing ongoing safety concerns.

"In response, our proposals seek to revitalise the site into a high-quality place to serve our local congregation and support our charitable initiatives across St Helens and the wider Merseyside area.

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“As a Christian fellowship driven by care and compassion, we are committed to serving the local communities where our members live and work.

"The emerging plans at Rainhill Place represent an important opportunity to deliver against this commitment in St Helens through a unified proposal. Comprised of three core elements, the plans would reimagine the site as a place of worship, learning and charitable outreach."

What the planning application says

An application has now been submitted to St Helens Council's planning department for the site. 

This seeks full planning permission for the demolition of all existing buildings, and the creation of a Gospel Hall and a members-only retail store to include a storage garage, along with the creation of a new access off Elton Head Road together with car parking, landscaping, drainage, and other associated works.

Meanwhile, outline planning permission for the creation of a Class F development of up to 2,542.62 sqm is also being sought.

A graphic included in the proposals (Image: Eden Planning (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

A planning statement in the application says: "The intention is to bring the proposal forward as part of a hybrid planning application, with full planning permission being sought for the Gospel Hall and Campus and Co facility and outline planning permission being sought for the Use Class F development.

"It is anticipated that the outline element of the proposal will come forward as a One School Global to support the Brethren’s teaching practices.

"However, to provide flexibility, the outline application seeks permission for a mix of F Class Uses which would allow other local community, or learning and education development proposals to come forward, should an alternate end user for the site present itself".

The plans for the former Scott Clinic site have been submitted (Image: JMP Architects (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

A design and access statement says: "Full planning permission is sought for a new Gospel Hall, associated parking, and landscaping.

"The Gospel Hall will be located on the north-eastern corner of the site, with the Plaza located off the southern elevation.

"The associated parking areas will be located to the west and south of the building, and service yard located to the rear.

"The Gospel Hall is simple in terms of its built form, compromising a rectangular structure with a pitched roof and wrap around canopy. The building would have a Gross External Area of 1,134.84 sqm and would extend to a maximum height of 7.74m".

The statement adds in terms of parking, the proposal includes "the provision of 125 car parking spaces including 41 overflow spaces to serve the Gospel Hall.

"This includes the provision of eight accessible spaces" and "the provision of 10 spaces, including four accessible spaces to service the Campus and Co".

The statement concludes: "The proposal will ensure the effective use of previously land within the green belt by redeveloping a vacant site which is currently affected by anti-social behaviour.

"This development will transform the redundant land into a valuable community asset by providing a new Gospel Hall and future Use Class F development. The proposal is an appropriate form of development in green belt."

Public consultation open

The planning application is open on standard consultation to the public until Tuesday, November 26.

A deadline for a decision on the proposals has been set for January 31, 2025.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of St Helens. Please get in touch at simon.mulligan@newsquest.co.uk