Merseyside Police’s application proposing the erection of a single-storey police station along with an enclosed car park, cycle storage and security fencing – at the site of the existing police car park, on Peel Street – came before St Helens Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.
As recommended, the committee delegated to the head of planning services to approve the application, subject to the finalisation of planning conditions.
During the meeting, committee member Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron – who is the deputy council leader – described the proposals as “good news”.
He highlighted that the original police estates strategy came out in 2013.
“And we know what the Government have done to police numbers since then, so the fact we’re actually here in getting this is a miracle because we’ve had 14 years of chopping police numbers in Merseyside,” he added.
Committee member Cllr Richard McCauley, who is the cabinet member for inclusive growth and regeneration, highlighted that changes have been made to the design of the proposed site – and thanked council officers as he welcomed a design which now “fits in with the conservation area” and “looks really good”.
Committee chair Cllr Derek Long said he thinks it is a “good outcome” for the area.
According to a report to the committee, the site is situated within Earlestown town centre and is currently used as a car park facility for the existing police station, which is situated to the east further along Market Street. The existing car park provides spaces for approximately 25 vehicles.
“The development proposes the erection of a new single-storey police station building along with an enclosed car park, cycle storage and security fencing,” said the report.
“The new building would be accessed via Market Street and would sit on the site in an L shaped format.
“The building would be constructed in a mixture of materials, including brickwork and render, which would give the development a modern and clean appearance.
“In terms of scale, the development would have an overall height of 7.6m, the width of the building at the widest point facing Market Street would be 18.8m, and the depth would be 15.8m.
“Vehicular access to the site would be from Peel Street, where there is provision for eight car parking spaces, which includes two spaces with electric charging capability and one disabled persons parking space.”
Furthermore, in the report, it said the development would be a replacement for the existing police station building and the proposal is to “update the current facilities to ensure they continue to be fit for purpose for public protection”.
It added that the development would not involve the loss of any retail facilities within the defined town centre boundary of Earlestown and would have a “neutral impact on the function and role” of Earlestown town centre, while there would be “no impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre or any planned investment in the area”.