Former St Helens Service Station To Be Converted Into Four New Flats

A former garage and workshop building in St Helens is set to be transformed into four new homes after plans were approved by the Isle of Wight Council.

The property on Lower Green Road — once known as St Helens Service Station — will be converted into three two-bedroom flats and one one-bedroom flat.

The scheme, submitted by Mr and Mrs Shaw, also includes changes to the existing upstairs apartment.

According to the applicants’ agent, MDJ Architectural Services, the development will help meet demand for local housing and could appeal to a range of residents, including young professionals, first-time buyers, renters, downsizers and older Islanders.

In a statement, the agent said the proposal supports both national and local planning policy by reusing a previously developed site and creating new homes within an existing settlement.

They added that the project would “bring a disused building back into productive use” while maintaining the character of the area and minimising any visual or physical impact on neighbouring properties.

St Helens Parish Council backed the plans but raised concerns about the lack of parking.

However, Island Roads said its assessment found that the absence of on-site parking would not negatively affect the surrounding road network, noting the presence of a free public car park around 50 metres away.

A legal agreement between the Isle of Wight Council and applicant Alec Shaw includes contributions towards affordable housing and habitat mitigation.

A full decision report for the application — reference 25/01388/FUL — has not yet been published on the council’s planning portal.