A decision is due on plans to transform Aigburth Road’s former St Austin’s Church, its presbytery and Chaloner Hall into new homes.

Liverpool City Council planning committee members are recommended to approve the conversion of the Grade II-listed buildings with conditions during a meeting next Tuesday (20 June).

The church and presbytery could be turned into 14 apartments under the proposals by applicant Austinlake Ltd, while the Chaloner Hall would become three new properties with single storey conservatory extensions following the church’s closure in 2015.

If given the go-ahead, the walled garden at the site would be re-landscaped and a new 16-space dedicated car park would also be created.

According to a planning report, significant features of the Pre-Puginian gothic style church which was built in 1838 will be preserved, including the rose window at the west end, the arched roof trusses and the recessed plasterwork arches at the east end.

The document, to be considered by the planning committee, says: “The interim head of planning acknowledges that the proposed conversion of St Austin’s Church, the presbytery and Chaloner Hall would cause some harm to the listed buildings, through subdivision of internal spaces.

“The benefits of the proposals are securing the restoration of, and a new use for three Grade II-listed buildings and the provision of new homes.

“The interim head of planning considers that on balance, the benefits of the proposals outweigh the harm caused by the development.”

Meanwhile an application to build a short terrace of six new two-storey houses on land off Aigburth Road, adjacent to the former St Austin’s Church, has also been put forward by the same applicant and will be decided separately during the meeting.

Also recommended for approval with conditions, the homes are considered by the council’s interim head of planning to be “a well-designed and attractive scheme for this enclosed site”.

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