Five-storey building extension at The Gamble Institute, St Helens

The site and its setting

The site is a prominent four-storey heritage building in a conservation area, beside civic, commercial and regeneration developments.

“The application site comprises ‘The Gamble Institute’ building, which is a four-storey high red brick building, and part of the area to the east of the building that is currently used as an enclosed bin store / service yard and paved area.”

“The Gamble Institute is a highly prominent building located within Victoria Square Conservation Area. It is also located within the setting of the George Street Quarter Conservation Area, located to the east of the building. To the north of the building is St Helens Town Hall, and the Wesley House office building which is six storeys high.”

Officer report

Building history

The building closed in 2017 because of structural issues, and restoration works began in 2019 to return it to full use.

“Planning Committee 01 st September 2026 P/2026/0255 1.4 In 2017, the Gamble Institute Building closed to the public due to structural issues making it unsafe. Since closing to the public extensive works have taken place to repair the structure, preserve the building and mitigate any further damage. In October 2019, a project to restore the Gamble Building began which was split into a five-phase work programme to bring the building back into full use.”

“The Gamble Institute Building forms part of ‘Character Zone 2 Civic and Heritage’ within the adopted St Helens Town Centre Masterplan Development Framework which identified the ambition to further enhance Victoria Square and create a dual frontage to the Gamble Building that, through sensitive extension works, could create a second entrance connecting to and over-looking the new multi-model Transport Interchange to the east.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because community facilities, accessibility and town-centre regeneration benefits would outweigh low-level heritage harm.

“The proposal would help bring back into use a key heritage asset of St Helens, allowing access for valued community services including a library and youth hub and office space for public servants. It would support town centre regeneration and make the building fully accessible. The proposed extension would be a contemporary design which whilst some low level harm would be afforded to the Conservation Area, NDHA and setting of listed buildings.”

“Grant Planning Permission subject to the following conditions:”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Consultees raised no objections overall, subject to conditions covering matters including coal mining, contamination, noise, drainage and biodiversity.

“Coal Authority (03/06/2026) - No objection subject to a planning condition. Coal mining legacy poses a potential risk, albeit low, to the development proposal therefore mitigatory measures are required in order to ensure the safety and stability of the development.”

“Contaminated Land (11/06/2026) – No objection subject to further investigation and remediation which can be dealt with through planning conditions.”

Officer report

Public representations

The application was publicised through neighbour letters, site notices and a press notice, but no written representations were received.

“This application has been advertised with neighbouring notification letters, site notices and a press notice. No written representations have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The major applications specialist presented the proposal, and the applicant’s agent addressed the committee and answered members’ questions.

Committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions, including approved plans, contamination controls, drainage, construction management and heritage safeguards.

“The extension element of the works hereby approved shall not take place until a drainage scheme for the disposal of foul and surface water has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The drainage scheme shall take account of the adjacent bus station. The approved development shall be constructed in accordance with the approved scheme.”

“No works shall take place on the site at all until a method statement comprehensively detailing the phasing and logistics of construction has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council as Local Planning Authority.”

Minutes