A £10m deal to build a new access road will enable the next stage of a Liverpool city region scheme to build 1,100 new homes and 200,000 sq ft of commercial space to move forward. Tony McDonough reports
Plans for a £200m city region development that includes 1,100 new homes and 200,000 sq ft of commercial space can move forward thanks to a £10m grant.
Cowley Hill in St Helens was once one of the town’s largest glass works. The western part of Cowley Hill Works has been retained by glassmaker Pilkington and remains in operation.
Now preparation can begin to unlock the development site following the completion of a legal agreement between the site’s promoters, BXB Land Solutions and Promenade Estates, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and St Helens Council.
A new road funded by BXB Land Solutions will run from north to south through the site, from Washway Lane to College Street, and includes junction improvements at each end that will support new active travel routes.
Investment for the active travel element of the scheme is being drawn from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a pot of £710m set aside for major transport infrastructure projects across Liverpool city region.
“We’re delighted to have arrived at this point and couldn’t have got here without a genuine partnership with both the Combined Authority and St Helens Council,” said Gary Goodman, land and planning director at BXB.
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“We can now bring forward the site in its entirety, unlocking a range of new homes and employment opportunities for local people whilst improving connectivity with the town centre to the south.”
The first phase of the site, for 200 homes, was sold to affordable homes provider Torus early last year. The grant allows the remainder of the site to be brought forward with confidence, says Mr Goodman.
Site investigation work will begin next month as a precursor to full construction, with the main contractor expected to be appointed later this spring.”