Library and community services at Moss Bank Childrens Centre, St Helens

What was proposed

Part of the children’s centre would become a library, with the library and PCSO office moving from rented premises and internal changes made.

“The proposal seeks planning permission for a change of use of part of the building from a mixed use facility (Class E) to library use (Class F1(d)). This will involve the relocation of Moss Bank Library and the Police Community Support Office (PCSO) from the rented premises at Bowness Avenue to the council-owned premises at Moss Bank Children’s Centre on Kentmere Avenue, with the existing uses of the building maintained here.”

Officer report

The site

The single-storey centre contains council, NHS and nursery uses, with parking, woodland, a school and homes nearby.

“APPLICATION SITE 1.1 The application relates to Moss Bank Children’s Centre, a single storey brick-built facility that is multi-occupied by office space for staff from the Council Education & Learning Service, Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust and a private day nursery. There is a grassed area and tree belt to the north, with on-site parking consisting of 28 spaces to the south of the building, accessed from Kentmere Road.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered a detached log cabin, car park lighting columns and a single-storey children’s day care centre.

“P/2005/1034 - Erection of four 6.1 m lighting columns, with low glare floodlights, to car park. GRANTED 16.11.2005.”

“P/2005/0127- Erection of single storey building to form children’s day care centre. GRANTED 16.06.2005.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the community facility, amenity and highway effects acceptable and recommended permission subject to conditions.

“The existing use of the site as a community centre is being retained, meaning there is no loss of community facilities; therefore, the relocation of the library and PCSO offices will not negatively impact the existing use. The relocation of the library is part of a wider council scheme to better utilise existing council buildings to provide better access to services in one location, rather than relying on rented properties.”

“Overall, the principle of the development is considered acceptable and in accordance with the NPPF and the relevant policies of the St Helens Borough Local Plan. The proposal retains and enhances valued community facilities in a sustainable location and will improve access to community services without harming the character of the area or neighbouring amenity due to a lack of external alterations or changes to opening hours of the building.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

Environmental Health and the Canal and River Trust raised no objections, while highways requested access improvements and no public representations were received.

“Canal and River Trust (23.07.2025) – No objection.”

“Planning Committee 2 nd September 2025 P/2025/0389/FP3 3.4 Highways (23.07.2025) – The retained parking provision is ample and would exceed the recommendations of the current standards; therefore, it is considered unlikely that vehicle parking would spill into the adopted highway, but it is not recommended that any spaces are removed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Graduate Planner presented the application, and the Head of Property presented it and answered members’ questions.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and delegated authority to amend the conditions.

“Grant Planning Permission Subject to the following conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning Services to add, remove, or amend conditions as they deem necessary:”

“The works hereby permitted must be begun within 3 years of the date of this decision notice.”

Minutes