The plans, submitted to St Helens Borough Council in April 2025, sought permission to convert vacant land behind Evolution Fitness XL on Duncan Street into a tarmacked parking area to serve the gym. However, on July 21, the applicant’s agent requested that the application be withdrawn before it reached a decision stage. The agent also said further work would be carried out to strengthen the resubmitted plans and address the biodiversity requirements. The site was described as overgrown, vacant land unsuitable for residential development and of limited ecological value. For now, the plans have been withdrawn and are expected to be resubmitted next year.