Plans to convert Clock Face Hotel in St Helens into SEND school passed

Proposals for the change of use, refurbishment and extension of the Clock Face Hotel building were sent to council planners by applicants Bright Futures Care Ltd, as the Star reported in January.

They sought permission to create a new SEND school for 54 students, with the project also including the demolition of outbuildings on the site, landscaping, parking and other associated works at the Clock Face Road location. 

The Clock Face Hotel announced in March that it was to close its kitchen with the pub expected to close its doors permanently from around the end of April. 

This led to customers past and present of the pub expressing sadness at the news.

What do the plans for the site say?

A design and access statement in the plans for the SEND school, drawn up by DV Architects, on behalf of the applicant set out details of the proposed works.

It said "the application site consists of the main building dating back to 1909 and a detached residential property".

The plans stated "the scheme looks to preserve the local landmark through refurbishment whilst a rear extension is designed not to impede on the existing building’s street presence".

A CGI of the proposed school in the plans (Image: DV Architects (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

The statement added: "Currently the building is poorly maintained in areas, particularly internally and the proposed use would see an improvement in the condition of the building both externally and internally.

"The proposed use would ensure the ongoing maintenance of the building whilst addressing the growing special educational needs of the local and wider communities.

"The client has a number of residential care schemes in and around the St Helens area along with another SEN School site situated on the corner of Gartons Lane and Jubits Lane which has seen growing demand."

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Plans added there is a "detached residential property of a similar age currently divided into small apartments" on the site which is "proposed as an admin block". 

Another CGI in the planning application (Image: DV Architects (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

Meanwhile, around the rest of the site "there are several low-quality additions including a large, covered beer garden and a sizeable metal clad shed" which are all "to be demolished as part of this proposal".

Also, "a more appropriate extension" was "proposed in a similar footprint to the beer garden". It was said "the extension is proposed for the rear of the main building and is designed to minimise the impact on the street scene".

The single-storey extension will "add 223.96m2 to the scheme compared to an approximate total of 646m2 across the original main building".

The plans also sought to extend the car park further on to the site "to provide enough parking for staff and drop off times". The proposed parking areas will contain a total of 36 spaces, which includes two disabled accessible spaces and five drop off spaces.

The 'benefit would outweigh the harm'

Planning officer Stephen Gill recommended the application for approval, stating the “benefits would outweigh any harm” caused by the loss of the pub.

Planning officers at the town hall have approved the application (Image: St Helens Star)

In a report he said the loss of the Clock Face Hotel was “justified” by the evidence submitted by the “confirmed need for a new SEN school”

He also cited “the lack of engagement from the wider community in relation to the loss of the pub” stating “there has been no public interest in retaining the pub use”.

Mr Gill concluded: “When all the factors in this report are considered together in the planning balance, it is considered that the benefits would outweigh any harm”.

Planning permission was granted.