HJ Collection bids to restart St Helens tax office conversion

The £5.5m redevelopment of the Crown Buildings started more than four years ago but never completed. The building’s owner is now seeking to finish off the project.

HJ Collection acquired the former St Helens HMRC office from Mapeley Steps in late 2019 with planning permission already secured for its conversion into apartments.

The project began but did not complete within the timeframe set out within the planning permission due to various factors including the pandemic, according to documents lodged with the local council.

Now, HJ Collection wants to complete the project and has sought a fresh planning permission from the local council to convert the College Road site into 63 apartments – three fewer than the original application allowed for.

60 of the apartments provide one bedroom “in order to satisfy the nationally described space standards”, according to planning documents.

The developer already has permission to make external alterations to the building.

To learn more about the project, search for application reference number P/2024/0379/O2DPA on St Helens Council’s planning portal.

Smart Planning is advising HJ Collection on the proposals.