St Helens Parish Council has responded to a proposed conversion of a former car garage into 4 ‘much-needed’ flats.
The local authority said it was in favour of Mr and Mrs Shaw’s plans for the building housing a garage, workshop and upstairs apartment on Lower Green Road, but posed questions over parking.
The Shaws’ agent, MDJ Architectural Services, has said the 3x 2-bedroom units and another with 1 bedroom would be suitable for ‘young professionals’, ‘first-time buyers or renters’ or ‘downsizers or older residents’.
A spokesperson for St Helens Parish Council said:
“The parish council are in favour of the plans for the conversion, however from the information submitted by Island Roads, the frontage of the building has three parking spaces, ‘customer parking’.
“This is part of the public highway, right up to the building line, which therefore indicates no off-street parking for any of the units.
“There is a car park nearby. Currently this has a 24-hour limit restriction – are there plans for this to go to a pay and display car park?
“There is a piece of land at the rear of the planned conversion building – could this be the solution, using this area to provide off road parking for the units?”
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MDJ Architectural Services said:
“The proposal aligns with both national and local planning policy objectives, particularly those encouraging the reuse of previously developed land and the delivery of housing within existing settlements.
“It will bring a disused building back into productive use, providing much-needed housing while preserving the local character and ensuring minimal visual or physical impact on the neighbouring properties and surrounding environment.
“The site is located within a short walk of local amenities, including shops, bus stops, and community facilities, which supports sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling, and public transport.”
County Hall’s public consultation on application 25/01388/FUL closed on 24th October and a decision has been scheduled for 14th November.
There is a car park on the green opposite, parking should not
be a problem.