Sovini revamps plans for site by old Pilkington HQ

The developer is proposing to build 64 affordable homes on the site off Prescot Road in St Helens, 12 fewer than had previously been planned.

Sovini Group changed its scheme after discussions with St Helens Council planning officers, which resulted in the developer withdrawing the application in March to craft a new one.

Peacock + Smith acted as planning consultants for the revised scheme, which was designed by Condy Lofthouse Architects.

The site in question sits adjacent to the old headquarters of Pilkington Glass in St Helens. The plot itself is five acres of vacant and unused private land. Its perimeter is largely lined with trees.

Sovini Group is aiming to build 36 houses and 28 apartments on the land. The houses would be split between eight one-bedroom walk-ups, 16 two-bedroom houses and 12 three-bedroom ones. The apartments would be spread across two blocks and would comprise 16 one-bedroom flats and 12 two-bedroom ones.

CGI showing the office tower in the background, houses to the left and apartment blocks to the right. Credit: via planning documents

All of the homes would be designated affordable, with the houses under rent-to-buy tenure and the apartments as reduced rent tenure.

The houses would all have rear gardens of varying sizes. The flats would have amenity spaces for residents.

There would be a variety of off-street parking and communal parking parks for residents.

The project team includes Garry Miller Associates, Eddisons, AJP, We Know Services, and Mulberry.

Looking to learn more about the scheme? The application’s reference number with St Helens Council is P/2022/0313/FUL.