Green light tipped for hundreds of St Helens homes

St Helens Council looks set to sign off plans to build more than 500 homes on the southern edge of the town.The application, which will go before Planning Committee on Tuesday 9 January, comprises 514 homes on a 49.4-acre parcel of greenfield land at Gartons Lane.Built in a phased approach, the development includes a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties.Of which, 70 per cent would be market housing with 30 per cent affordable housing.In terms of the affordable housing provision, 103 will be offered for low-cost ownership with 52 available for affordable rent.The scheme had previously been advertised, and 55 objections were received with one neutral comment.Concerns were raised about the loss of trees and the adverse impacts to biodiversity habitats, as well as the additional demand to health practices such as doctors and dentists.However, a report which will go before the committee noted that, while 11 trees would be lost at the site, the applicant would replace this with 689 new trees.It said: “The application site is an allocated housing site through the Local Plan and would deliver a strong mix of residential dwellings within a sustainable location, contributing towards housing figures within the borough as required by local and national planning policy.”The report added: “Therefore, the development layout would contain adequate amounts of public open space that will function well for future residents of the development site and existing residents in the local area.”Taking everything into account, the proposal will go before committee with the recommendation for approval.