FRESH plans have been submitted seeking permission to bulldoze the former Raven Lodge pub building.

Developers Gradan Homes had initially submitted proposals for the former Raven Lodge on Church Street in St Helens town centre last November.

These included the demolition of the former pub building to make way for the creation of a £4m apartment complex, which attracted numerous letters of objection protesting the potential loss of the historic building.

However, planning officers knocked back an application to demolish the building saying "there are no public benefits" which outweigh the "harm" which would be caused to the George Street Conservation Area.

It was also said the building's demolition would result in the removal of a "suitable habitat for roosting bats".

Initial plans to convert the building into 18 flats drawn up in 2017 had been granted approval.

However, "due to the current dilapidated state of the building and the continuing economic uncertainty, it was deemed that the proposal for the 18 flats was no longer financially viable resulting in the mothballing of the project whilst the development proposals were reassessed".

Resubmitted plans have been submitted to the council requesting permission to demolish the building.

The developers described the apartment plans as "possibly be the most exciting development for decades in St Helens town centre" and will "contribute to the overall regeneration of the area".

St Helens Star:

A graphic of what the proposed apartment complex could look like

They said the proposals will bring "much needed footfall to the town centre".

They added the empty Raven Lodge building had been "subject to frequent vandalism and anti-social behaviour".

The applicant has provided a Heritage Statement and a Bat Survey Report to address the reasons for refusal of the previous demolition plans.

The application states: "Dealing with the refusal reasons in order, it is welcomed that the demolition on its own is viewed as causing less than substantial harm.

"However, there are public benefits to be gained from the building proposed to replace it".

They added: "The benefit to the local economy of the proposed new building may be expanded upon by noting that the presence of an occupied residential building with a projected younger, professional demographic will produce an much needed increase in footfall to the east end of Church Street and also bring a demand for local shops and amenities".

In response to the gap in the frontage which would be caused by the plans, the applicant says "the significance of its replacement far outweighs the harm in terms of public benefits".

Several letters of objection to the resubmitted plans to demolish the historic building have already been written.

Public consultation on the latest application lasts until Thursday, March 5.