A THREE-STOREY apartment block and car park will be built yards from a Grade II listed site formerly home to a church – if planning chiefs approve demolition proposals.

Plans have been submitted for the demolition of a disused public toilet building, on land at the corner of Bluecoat Street at its junction with Winwick Road.

If the site is pulled down it would make way for the development of a three-storey apartment building with eight residential units and a car park.

Applicant Bishopsrock Properties has proposed to have 10 car parking spaces at the site, along with 10 cycle spots.

The piece of land is situated close to Tesco Extra and the old St Ann's Church – a Grade II listed building, which has been used as an indoor climbing centre since it was closed for worship in 1995.

It opened to climbers in February 1996.

In a heritage assessment, Garry Miller, an architectural historian who has spent more than 35 years studying buildings, praised the plans and called for the authority to approve them.

He said: "It is considered the proposed development will enhance the setting of the listed church.

"The proposal involves the removal of an unsightly building of no heritage value that detracts from the setting of the listed former church of St Ann.

"The proposed new apartment building has been designed in a style that is sympathetic to the listed building by taking its design lead from the area's traditional Victorian houses.

"The materials palette also reflects the local tradition and the scale of the building is appropriate in that it does not challenge the visual predominance of the listed building standing opposite, which will remain an unchallenged key landmark on Winwick Road."

In a design and access statement, which was prepared by The Willacy Horsewood Architects for Bishopsrock Properties, the site was labelled as being in the 'prime location close to one of the main arterial routes into Warrington'.

It added: "The site is urban brownfield currently occupied by a late twentieth century disused public toilet block which is unsightly in appearance.

"The proposal will make excellent use of a brownfield site to provide much-needed homes.

"The proposed location and siting will allow for best use of the site and provide an efficient sustainable solution with good access to public transport networks and businesses.

"The surrounding area contains a diverse range of building types and a very large palette of materials.

"The proposed building will relate to the church and enhance its setting far better than the existing toilet block."