St Helens to consider 78 affordable homes
A range of flats, terraces, and semi-detached houses could be built on the near four-acre site off Jubits Lane in Sutton Manor after a disused pub is demolished, according to outline plans lodged by David Shwenn.
The site of Smithy Manor pub, closed since 2016, would be redeveloped into a housing estate designed by Paddock Johnson Architects, should St Helens Council permit the scheme.
Though technically Green Belt, development is acceptable, according to a pre-application enquiry that established the site as one comprising previously developed land and contributing little to the purposes of Green Belt.
The scheme will provide improved accessible areas of public open space and car parking for visitors to the nearby Sutton Manor Woodland to enhance recreational access for the wider community.
Car parking would be provided for up to 82 vehicles.
Pegasus submitted the application on behalf of David Shwenn. Elsie Josland Landscape Design, E3P, Arbor, CTS, and Hey Ecology each assisted with the application.
To view the application, use the planning reference number P/2025/0533/OUP on St Helens Council’s planning portal.
Any need for more houses not going be no land left
By Anonymous
Odd really. By most standards, St Helens is already pretty affordable compared to much of the NW at around £175psf. What it really needs is good quality new housing even if not artificially “affordable” for the lucky few.
By Simon
Simon – Affordable housing is only viable in low value areas. Or to put this another way, it is because no private housebuilder would be interested in this site that an application has been submitted for 100% affordable housing. The cost of development will exceed its value, and can only be made to work through receipt of Homes England funding. I doubt any developer could make a site work with a sale value of £175psf, it probably needs to be another £100psf ahead of that before it would even become worth considering.
By UnaPlanner
It’s such a shame that people can’t focus on a positive proposal to improve the surroundings and provide much needed housing whether.affordable or not. The site is an embarrassment to the neighbourhood surroundings and should be developed as soon as.possible. There appears to have been a ridiculous amount of red tape and unwarranted delay from various authorities in allowing the progress of any proposals for the site contrary to Government guidelines and wishes for new housing to be built. There seems to.be no responsible attitude by the people in charge to get things sorted. I hope there will be some common sense in granting this application.for the benefit of local residents who I’m sure are becoming frustrated with the whole dragged out process.
By Anonymous