Earlestown town centre blot on the landscape building set to be rebuilt following council actions
A partially collapsed, prominent privately owned building within the Earlestown town centre conservation area is set to be reconstructed following positive actions from St Helens Borough Council.
Date published: 19th September
The partial collapse of the building, which is located on the corner of Bridge Street and Market Street, led to immediate council action to ensure public safety. Since then, the council's Planning Service has sought to work with the building's owner, issuing an enforcement notice requiring the owner to reconstruct the building by 2 January 2026.
The owner was made aware of their responsibilities by council officers and a structural engineer was engaged to investigate the cause of the collapse and to carry out a full evaluation to develop reinforcement measures to be implemented to prevent any future incidents.
The owner then submitted a planning application to rebuild the property and this has now been granted for it to be reconstructed on a "like-for-like basis" to restore the site and its surrounds to its former appearance and function.
The planning approval marks an important step in restoring a key gateway in Earlestown town centre, which is currently undergoing a landmark regeneration programme that includes bringing the much-loved Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall brought back into use with the full internal refurbishment and building extension now underway. Further investment is transforming the historic Market Square, featuring a new permanent canopy, with wider public realm improvements across the town centre.
Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council said: "As a council, public safety is always our highest priority and this has been ensured at all times in this case by conducting appropriate actions within our legal remit in relation to what is a privately owned property. I am now pleased to see the positive determination of the planning application to rebuild the property appropriately given its position within the conservation area, and the council will continue its engagement with the property owner to seek earliest implementation of the consent. The Earlestown regeneration scheme is a once in a generation opportunity and it is vital that we work alongside private owners to see the full benefits for the people of the town."