69-home development at Land At Monastery Lane, St Helens

What was proposed

The application proposed 69 dwellings with associated infrastructure and landscaping.

“P/2025/0263/FUL Land At Monastery Lane Residential development consisting of 69no dwellings, associated infrastructure and landscaping.”

Minutes

Site features and changes

The site contained historic railway-related structures and protected woodland, with proposed structure removal, partial woodland removal and replacement planting.

“There are some structures within the site, which are likely to relate to the previous railway infrastructure, these are situated to the north of the site, within the woodland. The applicant proposes to remove these structures as part of the development, and the Local Planning Authority has no objection to the principle of this on safety grounds alone.”

“The submitted Landscape Structure Plan includes extensive replacement planting and landscape enhancement, including native woodland planting, native understorey woodland planting, structural tree planting, ornamental tree planting, hedgerows and areas of native woodland wildflower grassland, which will mitigate the effects of the tree loss and provide long-term landscape and biodiversity enhancements.”

Officer report

Updates to the application

Archaeological recording was proposed before removing historic structures, alongside a condition requiring surveys and safe reinstatement of affected land.

“An update report was tabled which noted that historic structures in the northern woodland were proposed for removal, with archaeological recording and a new condition requiring a survey and safe reinstatement of the land.”

“It also recorded that part of the protected woodland (TPO 66) would be partially removed, but officers confirmed that extensive replacement planting was proposed and no objections had been raised by the Council’s Trees, Woodland or Landscape officers.”

Minutes

Trees and landscape views

The Council’s Trees, Woodland and Landscape officers raised no objections to the tree loss or impact on protected woodland.

“Tree loss is discussed in detail within the Committee Report. Members should also note that part of the woodland within the application site (on the western boundary) is protected by Tree Preservation Order No. 66 (TPO 66), which is identified as Woodland W1 within the submitted Arboricultural Impact Assessment.”

Officer report

The committee presentation

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, covering its context, design, highways, landscaping, open space and other planning matters.

The committee’s decision

Planning permission was granted subject to a Section 106 agreement and planning conditions, with delegated authority to amend conditions.

“Grant Planning Permission Subject to Section 106 Agreement and Planning Conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning Services to add, remove or amend conditions as they deem necessary.”

Minutes