Masterplan offers bright future for Pilkington site

Article date: March 19th 2025

The masterplan proposes a vibrant mixed-use development comprising circa 764 new homes and 150,000sqft of commercial development, ancillary retail and leisure, alongside extensive public realm and high-quality structured landscaping, and with the retention and utilisation of some key non-designated heritage assets.

It has come to fruition following one of the single biggest UK investments by Pilkington UK for many decades to successfully transfer all production and jobs to the adjacent Greengate Works site. This provided a strategically important windfall opportunity to redevelop the site for the continued positive benefit of the borough, complementing the St Helens town centre regeneration initiatives.

Lisa Harris, Executive Director for Place Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: "The masterplan will help bring the site of the former Watson Street Works back to life, continuing nearly 200 years of pioneering activity by providing exciting new regeneration opportunities for developers whilst preserving historic features on the site.

"This is extensive prime brownfield land close to St Helens town centre and will add another dimension to the development offer we have in the area as part of the St Helens Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, which is already home to Glass Futures, SINA Medical Glass and Inovus Medical. The site is also an integral component of the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Investment Zone, being one of its three designated tax sites, offering financial benefits to businesses relocating and expanding in the area.

Councillors approved the masterplan and continue to engage with Pilkington UK and strategic partners (including Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) to help turn the masterplan into reality.

See the masterplan here: sthelens.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s167058/Appendix B1 - Watson Street Masterplan.pdf