Multi-modal transport interchange at St Helens Bus Station, St Helens

What was proposed

Phase 2 would provide a new interchange with two concourse buildings, bus stands, lay-bys, commercial facilities, parking, access changes and landscaping.

“This application relates to Phase 2 only of the overall Town Centre development and seeks approval for a new bus station, also known as the Multi-Modal Interchange (“MMI”) and St Helens Transport Interchange. The Reserved Matters submission provides details of the access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the proposed development. The proposals include the construction of:”

“A north concourse building comprising commercial units, public toilets, a server room, and a storage area. • A south concourse building comprising a Merseytravel travel centre, ticket and information stand, staff welfare facilities (including kitchen and toilets with showers), a plant room, and a staff-only control room. • 11 bus stands. • 7 bus lay-bys. • Merseytravel car parking bays.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 1.3-hectare town-centre site was the former bus station, with recently demolished buildings and nearby conservation areas.

“The application site covers approximately 1.3 hectares in St Helens town centre. It is bounded by Corporation Street to the north, Bickerstaffe Street to the south, Hall Street to the east, and the wider town centre to the west.”

“The site comprises the former St Helens Bus Station, which occupied the majority of the area, along with a public house, a fish and chip shop to the east, a block of retail units to the west, and the Merseytravel Travel Centre. These buildings have recently been demolished under the approved hybrid planning permission (Ref: P/2022/0212/HYBR).”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

The proposal followed hybrid permission for demolition, site preparation and a wider mixed-use town-centre redevelopment, granted in 2023.

“This reserved matters application is pursuant to the outline element of hybrid planning permission (“hybrid permission”) reference P/2022/0212/HYBR approved on the 31at March 2023. The approved description of development is as follows:”

“Full planning permission and permission for relevant demolition in a conservation area for proposed demolition and site preparation works; and…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and other consultees raised no objection or supported the scheme, although highway details, lighting and drainage conditions remained necessary.

“Highways Engineer (14.07.2025): No objection to the highways impacts of the development and the layout of the interchange. There are some details to be resolved with regard to the layout of the improvement works on the existing adopted highway and servicing arrangements, along with layout of street furniture and details of signal- controlled junctions, to ensure that it integrates effectively with the Phase 1 town centre application that is pending determination.”

“Countryside Development and Woodlands Officer (25.06.2025): No objection. The soft landscaping details are well specified and are supported with information in the Landscape Design and Access Statement.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application and explained the additional objection to members.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to satisfactory resolution of outstanding highway matters and delegated authority to manage the conditions.

“Grant Planning Permission Subject to satisfactorily resolution of the outstanding highway matters and the following conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning to add, remove or amend conditions as they deem necessary:”

Minutes