The upper floors of the former BHS department store in Southport town centre will be converted into 30 new self-contained apartments and a roof terrace after planning permission was granted by Sefton Council.
The 19th century building has deteriorated in recent years, suffering from neglect and vandalism, to the point of being put on the ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register by Sefton Council.
The new development is due to have a rejuvenating impact on the Chapel Street area.
The local authority has already given its consent to the creation of three separate ground floor retail units, a restaurant / cafe (now occupied by Hugo Lounge) and a pub on the ground floor.
Permission for the layout of an outdoor seating area to Chapel Street and Corporation Street is still pending.
In a separate development, Sefton Council recently approved a £400,000 scheme to repair and revamp the neighbouring Cambridge Arcade.
The grand 53,339 sq ft building four-storey has sat empty and has been repeatedly vandalised over many years, since the sudden closure of BHS six years ago.
In his report, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie wrote: “The proposed development is acceptable within the established Town Centre and would positively contribute to its viability and vitality.
“The development will not cause substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. It will derive public benefits to a substantial degree in the form of bringing back into use a prominent and distinct building within Southport’s Town Centre which has been vacant for some time.”
BHS Southport was one of the chain’s 164 stores which controversially went into administration in April 2016, resulting in the loss of 11,000 jobs nationwide. As well as Southport, BHS also lost shops in Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington and Widnes. The closures ended an 88 year presence on the high street.
The site forms the upper floors of the former BHS department store which faces on to Chapel Street and Corporation Street whilst the left side forms part of the indoor Cambridge Arcade. The building is recognised by Sefton Council as being a ‘Non-Designated Heritage Asset’ (NDHA) and has been vacant for a number of years. Consequently, it has fallen into a state of disrepair and is now identified by the council’s Conservation Team as being ‘Heritage at Risk’.
The council has now approved planning permission for a change of use of the first, second, third and fourth floors of the former BHS department store from retail to 30 self-contained flats.
After the plans were advertised, only two representations were made by members of the public – both of them supporting the new development.
They said that “Bringing people back to live in the town will improve community life. This is a project the council should be promoting, not just supporting” and that they “totally support the reoccupation of this beautiful building”.
They also made a request for the BHS logo sign to be archived at The Atkinson.
Derek McKenzie wrote: “Policy ED2 and ED7 do allow for the use of upper floors for residential development provided that they do not compromise the vitality and viability of the town centre and provide acceptable living conditions.
“While this application would see the upper floors of the building converted for residential use, the ground floor would retain commercial uses, primarily for retail.
“The introduction of residential use within the established town centre can contribute to an improvement in the viability and vitality of the town centre, as residents are well located to utilise the leisure and commercial services on offer.
“On balance, the principle of the proposal is acceptable.
“The building is distinct within the Town Centre however it has been vacant for some time. Owing to a lack of maintenance and general weathering, the building has become dilapidated in parts and is generally showing signs of falling into significant disrepair. In its current form, the building is having a negative impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.
“As such, the Council has identified the site as being Heritage at Risk. It is noted that the awning overhanging the Chapel Street elevation is not an original feature and has likely been added sometime during the late 20th century. From an aesthetic perspective, it is an unsympathetic addition to the building fabric.
“The applicant has proposed to remove the awning to the Chapel Street elevation as a measure to better reveal the significance of the heritage asset and, pursuant to the conversion of the upper floors for residential purposes, make good the external appearance of the building.
The new development would be a ‘car free development’, which Sefton Council believes would work well given the building’s location in the centre of town.
Derek Mckenzie wrote: “The site is in Southport town centre and consequently is very well located in terms of accessibility to public transport. The site is within reasonable walking distance to a number of bus stops on Lord Street which provide services to local and distant destinations and is also reasonably accessible by walking or by cycle to the rail station at Southport. The provision of appropriate cycle parking facilities can be secured by condition.
“The proposal would form a car-free development however given the accessibility of the site and that there is some short term pay and display parking available in the town centre and some longer-term parking available in car parks all within walking distance of the site, this is acceptable. Submitted plans show that cycle parking would be provided on each floor.”
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