A new market hall, shops and apartments could be built in Churchtown Village in Southport.
Allied London Ltd has submitted a planning application for the scheme, which would take place in a vacant building to the rear of Checkers DIY on Botanic Road.
The existing building would be converted into a market hall and two new retail units, with the reinstatement of the demolished commercial unit to ground floor and the provision of four self-contained flats on the first floor.
A planning application has been submitted by R & R Design Services (UK) Ltd, which said: “The building itself is not listed but is within the Churchtown and North Meols Conservation Area.
“The building is part of a complex consisting of the Checkers building which fronts Botanic Road and an additional building fronting Manor Road, which has been linked by a modern cladded roof and linking wall with a roller shutter entrance.
“This application relates to the whole of the property apart from the existing Checkers Furniture fronting Botanic Road.
“The proposal is to convert the derelict part of the building into three retail units, with a market hall consisting of small start-up units which includes the reinstatement of the partially demolished building to the rear.
“The benefits of this proposal are bringing back into use a recently unused property and securing a sustainable use for the premises. The proposal is therefore in accordance with planning guidance along with the local development plan and approval should therefore be awarded.
“We are proposing a full redevelopment of this unused site which will bring a derelict building back into use, giving it a sustainable future.
“Two retail units are proposed fronting onto Manor Road giving smaller more accessible units.”
The scheme also calls for the creation of new living accommodation in the building too.
The application says: “In order to facilitate and increase the revenue generated from the building, we are proposing to add four residential apartments to the first floor of the development.
“This will include the removal of the existing ugly clad flat roof and replacement of the roof with a newer insulated roof which will include raising the height slightly to get a comfortable head height within the proposed apartments. We have provided the amenity space needed by the addition of two balconies to the rear apartments.
“We are also proposing to introduce a market hall or inn-shops type development with small market style stalls which are to encourage start-up businesses to have a physical presence in the area rather than simply being an online business.
“The impact on the conservation area from these proposals is minimal and will enhance the area in terms of bringing unused buildings which are currently detrimental to the setting of the local listed buildings back into use and with a more desirable appearance.”
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