PLANS to carry out major regeneration work to transform parts of the town centre – including a new hotel and hundreds of residential units – look set to be approved.

The St Helens town centre masterplan development framework has been developed with the council’s development partner, the English Cities Fund (ECF).

It sets out the "shared vision" for the town centre.

The ECF’s application will come before the planning committee at its meeting next Tuesday.

What's in the planning application

The "hybrid" planning application seeks planning permission for demolition work, as well as outline permission for a new hotel, residential units, commercial and business space, and community and learning space.

The application site comprises 9.87 hectares in the town centre.

 

The site is bound by Corporation Street to the north, St Helens Central and rail lines to the east, St Helens Canal to the south and the town centre to the west, broadly defined by Bickerstaffe Street and Market Street.

St Helens Star: The Hardshaw Centre in St Helens could be demolishedThe Hardshaw Centre in St Helens could be demolished (Image: St Helens Star)

What could be demolished?

Full planning permission is sought for the demolition of:

  • The Hardshaw Centre, St Mary’s Shopping Arcade
  • market and multi-storey car park
  • 39-41 Hall Street (Swan Hotel and Town Fryer Fish & Chips shop) to the immediate east of the bus station and located within the George Street conservation area
  • All buildings in the block of retail units bounded by the bus station to the east, Bickerstaffe Street to the south, Library Street to the west, and Corporation Street to the north.

What will remain?

A report to the committee says 51 Church Street, the former M&S building in the west of the application site and a substation in the east of the site will not be demolished.

New buildings

Furthermore, the outline planning aspect of the application seeks planning permission for the construction of a series of new buildings of varying heights, up to a maximum of six storeys.

The application seeks outline permission for development for a mix of uses.

St Helens Star: Images of how the town centre could be transformed St Helens CouncilImages of how the town centre could be transformed St Helens Council (Image: St Helens Council)

The range of uses comprise commercial, business and service uses, as well as community and learning uses.

Meanwhile, the plans comprise a hotel with up to 155 beds and either up to 423 residential units, which is "option A", or up to 374 residential units, which is "option B".

Catalyst for change

A report to the committee says the town centre masterplan development framework sets out a clear vision, objectives and development principles that will "catalyse the delivery of transformational change".

It adds: “In doing so, it will help to secure a range of long-lasting economic, social and environmental benefits across the town centre and positively impact the wider borough.”

The committee is being recommended to approve the plans subject to conditions and the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 legal agreement to be approved by the head of planning under delegated powers.