Plans to knock down and replace a Huyton distillery have been approved by Knowsley Council.
The former Sovereign distillery run by Halewood International on Wilson Road in Huyton, which had been in operation for 20 years, recently shut down after the company moved its operations to Chorley.
Plans to demolish the building with a view to redeveloping the site had previously been approved by Knowsley Council.
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An application, submitted by Network Space in February, revealed plans to replace the distillery with a nearly 195,000 sq ft complex of industrial, commercial and office units at the site.
According to documents submitted by Network Space the plans would “make a positive contribution to the growth of the area” as well as create new jobs and boost community sustainability.
Objections were raised by Environmental Health, citing concerns over the introduction of additional vehicles in an area already suffering with poor air quality.
Similar to an application considered and approved by Knowsley Council’s planning officers last month for a redevelopment at nearby Huyton Trade Park, Environmental Health said the development should not be considered “in isolation.”
The report states: “Because the application site is very close to other major developments such as Halsnead Garden Village and Beacon 62 development Environmental Health believe that it cannot be considered in isolation.
“They have raised concerns to the development because they believe that any further impacts that could worsen the pollution levels, no matter how small, needs to be avoided.”
However, planning officers stated that air quality modelling “shows that there will only be negligible increases in nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter” adding that planners “do not consider that there is sufficient justification to refuse permission.”
Granting permission for the plans, officers said the redevelopment would be “acceptable” and “in compliance” with local planning requirements.
The report added: “Air Quality is clearly an issue particularly in the area of Cronton Road/Whitefield Lane nearby to the application site, with nitrogen diode levels either breaching the required maximum level or very close to the maximum level.
“However, this issue needs to be weighed in the planning balance and it is not considered that in this instance the proposal could be refused on air quality impacts.”
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