Symmetry Park, on the site of the form Cronton Colliery in Knowsley, could see the creation of up to 1,000 permanent jobs when it is completed. Tony McDonough reports
Developer Tritax Symmetry has submitted a major planning application for the creation of a 1m sq ft employment park on the site of a former coal mine in Knowsley.
Symmetry Park, on the site of the former Cronton Colliery, could create up to 1,035 direct temporary jobs during construction and up to 1,000 permanent jobs in the finished scheme.
It is forecast it will generate around £51m of net additional GVA every year. A planning application for the development of a 65-acre country park close is also due to be submitted before the end of the month. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is putting £12m into the project.
The planning application was submitted together with a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), which sets out a summary of the pre-application consultation process that has now concluded and which identified and responded to key themes and issues raised.
A variety of people and organisations were involved with the process, including local residents and community groups, local businesses, The British Horse Society, Cronton Parish Council, Whiston Town Council, Knowsley Council, MP, Liverpool City Region Combined and other statutory bodies.
Cronton Colliery opened in 1916 and at its height employed more than 900 people and annually produced more than 350,000 tonnes of coal. Eight men were killed in 1917 during an explosion at the seam. It closed in 1984.
Located east of Junction 6 of the M6, the sites form part of the Halsnead Garden Village Sustainable Urban Extension (HSUE) which represents part of the wider vision for the Halsnead Garden Village.
Matt Claxton, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We are pleased to have submitted the planning application for this landmark employment and country park scheme.
“The pandemic has had a significant impact on the national economy and bringing forward this new site will create much-needed employment opportunities and attract inward investment to this area of the North West, at a time when the economy needs it most.”