Replacement day centre at Pilkington Welfare Ruskin Leisure, Denton's Green, St Helens

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing a vacant former community building and erecting a two-storey day centre for up to 25 people with dementia and other care needs.

“APPLICATION SITE 1.1 The application site is situated to the west of the A570 Dentons Green Lane, along Ruskin Drive within the Dentons Green area of St Helens. Ruskin Drive is accessed from Dentons Green Lane and provides access to both residential properties and the wider mixed-use Ruskin Leisure complex.”

“The proposed development will provide a purpose-designed Day Centre for people living with dementia and other significant care needs, together with ancillary accommodation. The facility is intended to accommodate up to 25 service users, supported by approximately 5–6 members of staff at any one time. The primary purpose of the centre is to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for users and their families.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a single-storey building in landscaped grounds beside playing fields and leisure facilities, within an open-space designation and Flood Zone 3.

“Two notable trees are positioned adjacent to the building and near the Ruskin Drive boundary. The application site is designated as ‘Open Space and Outdoor Sports and Recreation Facilities’ within the adopted Local Plan (Policy LPC05). The site therefore forms part of a wider recreational designation, although the existing building has historically provided ancillary community and leisure-related uses within this context. The site sits in Flood Zone 3. 2.”

Officer report

Consultees and objections

Most consultees raised no objection, but the Environment Agency objected to the flood assessment, compensation and resilience measures, while residents raised wider concerns.

“Coal Authority (30.07.2024) – No Objection. Site within Development Low Risk Area. No specific comments. Standing advice to applicant recommended. Environment Agency (06.01.2026) – Objection. Revised Flood Risk Assessment inadequate. Flood storage compensation insufficient (must compensate for full 366m² footprint, not 76m² increase). Mitigation fails to address 1 in 100 year + 44% climate change scenario.”

“The low number of trips that would be associated with the replacement building and that its use would be limited to weekdays during the daytime and therefore there would be no highway concerns. Local Lead Flood As (22.05.2026) - The LLFA advise that there is no LLFA requirement for this application for review in terms of surface water management or Sustainable urban Drainage Systems.”

Officer report

What residents were concerned about

Residents objected to the building’s height and appearance, privacy, traffic and parking, tree and habitat loss, flooding, biodiversity and possible future expansion.

“Overlooking from first floor windows into homes opposite. • Loss of privacy and perceived intrusion. • Increased sense of enclosure and overbearing impact due to increased height and bulk. • Harm to residents’ outlook. • Concerns about potential impact on property value (not a material planning consideration but raised). • Existing congestion on Ruskin Drive already severe and frequent.”

“Potential future pressure on retained trees due to building proximity (pruning, lopping, crown lifting). • Loss of wildlife habitat including birds and bats. • Concerns regarding Biodiversity Net Gain compliance. • Site located within Flood Zone 3 and already affected by localised flooding. • Larger footprint and tree loss may worsen surface water runoff. • Existing drainage issues on Ruskin Drive after heavy rain. • Flood Risk Assessment viewed as inadequate.”

Officer report

Who spoke to the committee

A local resident presented objections and the applicant’s agent presented the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to the listed conditions, including controls on use, hours, travel, biodiversity, drainage and flood resilience.

“A local resident appeared before the Committee to present their objections to the application following which the applicants agent appeared before the Committee to present the application. Grant Planning Permission subject to the schedule of appropriate conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning Services to add, remove or amend conditions as they deem necessary: 1.”

“The Flood Emergency Plan shall include, but not be limited to: a) Details of the flood warning and evacuation procedures, including trigger levels and actions to be taken in response to Environment Agency flood alerts and warnings; b) Identification of safe access and egress routes to areas outside of Flood Zone 3; c) Arrangements for the safe evacuation of all users, including those with limited mobility and high care needs; d) Roles and responsibilities of staff in the…”

Minutes