PLANS to build 61 apartments on land at the edge of St Helens town centre where a landmark pub once stood have been approved.

An outline planning application was submitted to St Helens Borough Council last July for the development on the site off Crab Street.

The land is currently used as a builder's yard but was once the site of the Travellers Rest pub.

An outline planning application for the proposed development was sent to the council.

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Liverpool-based MBED Architects said it has drawn up "carefully considered proposals for a much needed two-block residential development" for the land south of Crab Street and close to the junction with Union Street.

The architects described the proposals as being for "a highly sustainable development on previously used brownfield land".

St Helens Star: An artist's impressionAn artist's impression

In a statement MBED added: "It is expected that the apartments will be marketed for sale subject to planning being secured and will be offered for sale on a range of tenures, including affordable.

"The apartments have been thoughtfully arranged in an L-shape, to create a sense of place and community and every apartment will benefit from its own car parking space, including three accessible spaces, all situated at ground level."

The planning application states the blocks will be "similar in scale, massing and height to the adjacent HMRC building", a reference to the neighbouring former tax office premises on College Street, which is currently being transformed into apartments.

In a statement, Mark Bennett, director of MBED Architects, said: “We enjoyed really positive pre-application discussions with St Helens Council, which we already know is committed to making things happen in the town.”

Council planners have granted permission for the development.

Mr Bennett says he expects the apartments would be built and operated in conjunction with a registered social housing provider.