Planning application submitted for next phase of Parkside colliery regeneration

Article date: August 27th 2024

The joint venture, comprising St Helens Borough Council and developer Langtree, is seeking outline consent for up to three buildings measuring up to c. 155,000 square metres, to give it the flexibility to meet the needs of bespoke end-users.  In addition to more blue-chip logistics employers, consent is being specifically sought for manufacturing uses, adding a new dimension to the scheme's job creation potential.

Simultaneously, detailed planning permission will also be sought for all aspects of site infrastructure, including roads, drainage and landscape design.  Further extensive public paths and exercise areas are proposed which, when linked with those in phase one, will see more than 4.5 km of landscaped trails available for use on what has been a closed site since 1957.

The application follows an extensive, 11-day consultation in July which sought the public's views on the pending application's headline proposals.  The public will be able to review the detailed proposals and supporting reports when they are published on St Helens Council's planning portal, which is expected in early September.

"Our consultation identified natural concerns around issues such as noise, light and landscape mitigation and our technical teams have put a huge amount of work into these issues to ensure that the scheme as proposed meets and exceeds wherever possible our regulatory obligations," said John Downes, chairman of Parkside Regeneration, and also group chief executive of Langtree.

"The public will be able to review all the supporting evidence and documentation and leave further comments via the Council's planning portal. We have worked hard to demonstrate the benefits in terms of environmental mitigation, job creation and supply chain engagement and look forward to putting our proposals before the planning committee for its scrutiny," added Mr Downes.

Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "Parkside is a vital part of our plans for inclusive growth for our economy, and progressing opportunities on this regionally significant site will unlock wider prosperity for our borough in the future. We are fortunate to have a site that is ready for development and will bring high quality jobs and much more for our residents."

Commenting on the submission, Cllr Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Leisure said:

"This next phase of the regeneration at Parkside will bring a wealth of opportunities to create high quality jobs for our residents through our focus on attracting manufacturing companies to the site.  There will also be opportunities for existing businesses based in St Helens Borough through the supply chain and we will ensure that local spend is maximised at all stages.  With final works being completed on Parkside Link Road, opening up the site to its full potential, this second phase is an exciting prospect for growing businesses or those considering making our borough their home."

Phase one of Parkside was granted its final consent in March 2024 when a 'reserved matters' planning application was approved by St Helens Borough Council's Planning Committee.  Should this next application be approved, Parkside's second phase is expected to add more than £100m a year to the borough's economic output and generate £3.7m in new rateable income for investment in vital public services.

Commenting on manufacturing element of the application, John Downes explained:

"It has always been our ambition to attract manufacturers to the site to bolster the mix and value of jobs we create.  By not seeking detailed design for the buildings now, the scheme can remain flexible so that it can meet the precise needs of footloose and bespoke occupiers.  It means Parkside can be presented to the market with the ability to say 'whatever you want, Parkside can deliver,' which sends a very powerful message."

In addition to the hybrid application, permission is being sought via a S.73 application for minor material amendments to the Phase One outline planning consent to reflect the existence of the new Parkside link road, which will open before construction work begins on site. 

A major project was recently completed to identify local supply chain partners who can bid to support the scheme's construction across both phases.  Almost 200 firms registered with the project and work is now underway on supporting applicants with pre-qualification requirements.  Any business still wishing to register can do so at https://thisisparkside.co.uk/local-suppliers/

Spawforths are the planning consultants for the scheme, with Curtins advising on highways and transport matters, Fletcher Rae the architects and TPM Landscape the landscape architects.