A NEW amended planning application for an apartment block at a former church site has been submitted.

Updated plans for the development at the site of the former Emmanuel Church on Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath have been drawn up.

An outline application for 12 apartments has already been given the green light by St Helens Council’s planning committee in October 2018, after initial proposals for 18 had been amended.

The application was approved, subject to various conditions, with seven voting in favour and four against.

However, updated plans have now been submitted to the council seeking permission for 18 apartments at the site.

Plans state: "Further to the previous outline planning permission received the client reviewed the proposal and opted to provide a higher quality building given its location.

"In order to provide a higher quality and therefore more expensive design the new proposal incorporates the space which would have otherwise been wasted in the roof.

"By using this previously wasted space it enables extra affordable units to generate more income to cover costs associated with the

overall finish and materials.

"The main goal during the redesign was to ensure that the proposal does not have the adverse affect of a true three storey building".

The new plans are on consultation until Monday, December 16.