Plans for new student accommodation have been put forward to a local council.
Fifty student flats and two smaller shop units are proposed for the former Iceland site at 6-8 Aughton Street, in Ormskirk, in an application by Vici Property Group Ltd.
The latest plans seek to develop a previous smaller application for 23 flats at the site, which was approved earlier in autumn 2021, reports LancsLive.
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Creating a wider mix of town centre activities, developing the night-time economy, catering for more students at Edge Hill University are among the factors being considered by planning officers and councillors.
The new plans would see the existing Aughton Street building redeveloped and enlarged with a new full second floor and an additional third floor.
Two smaller shop units would be created at the front.
Other larger shop units are available elsewhere and the smaller retail units would still support town centre commercial activity while accommodating students above and adding to the town centre’s population, planning officers believe.
Despite the former Iceland building being in a conservation area, alterations "would not harm" the area's character, officers state - referring to the planning policy on town centres.
On student accommodation, planning officers said: “As a result in the recent growth in campus accommodation, Edge Hill University now guarantees a place in its campus halls of residence to all new full-time first year students. However, there is a deficit in accommodation for second, third year and mature students.
"Many students who have lived in new campus accommodation in their first year wish to continue living in similar purpose-built developments on campus or in the town centre.
“There is both a short and long term over-riding need for purpose-built student accommodation for Edge Hill University.
"Furthermore, Ormskirk has seen a substantial increase in off-campus accommodation over the last 20 years, particularly in the conversion of houses to homes of multiple occupancy (known as HMOs) in residential areas.
"The provision of purpose-built student accommodation in the town centre will likely reduce the need for conversions of existing houses.
“The ground floor (shop) units will remain in a commercial use therefore the proposed development will not unduly compromise the vitality of the town centre.”
The Aughton Street plan is recommended for approval with conditions.
The ECHO previously reported residents were "fuming" over the store's closure, describing it as "another blow" for the town.
The food store had been in the town for around 30 years and moved into the former Woolworths building, which had been empty for a number of years.
According to the planning application, the location of the Aughton Street site is "located outside the primary shopping area but still within the Town Centre boundary".
It adds: "The site is considered to be in a highly sustainable location within the town centre and easily accessible by public transport.
"As such, the principle of the redevelopment of the site for retail use at ground floor and residential use including student accommodation above ground floor is therefore acceptable in principle within town centres, provided there is no conflict with other Local Plan policies."
Elsewhere in Ormskirk town centre, Jigsaw Homes North is seeking permission to build 30 apartments at the former Hunter & Sons warehouse site on Moorgate and Bridge Street, reports LancsLive.
The developer aims to build two blocks of apartments at two and three-storey heights with 33 car parking spaces, cycle and bin spaces.
Concerns have been raised here by some residents about a potential loss of privacy, noise and light disturbance as well as increased traffic congestion and road safety.
It is recommended that this planning application be granted.
West Lancashire councillors will consider the plans at the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, January 12, at 7pm.
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