Guidance and instructions on completing the Expression of Interest application

This page provides information on the following:

• Instructions on how to complete the questionnaire and explanation of the process which the council is following to identify a development partner for the land at Evelyn Avenue
• Process and guidelines for assessing the Expressions of Interest
• Council vision and aims for the land
• Background to the site
• Brownfield Land Release Funding
• Development Planning Brief
• Site Investigation Report

A PDF version of this information is also available should you wish to print a copy: Expression of Interest Form Information (PDF, 168 KB)

These instructions should be read in conjunction with the following documents:

• Site Plan (PDF, 311 KB)(opens new window)
• Development Planning Brief (PDF, 31 MB)(opens new window)
• Site Investigation Report (PDF, 45 MB)(opens new window)
• St Helens Borough Council's Inclusive Growth Strategy 2023- 28 and Housing Strategy 2022-27.

Instructions and Guidance on completing an Expression of Interest

Please read the information through and if you feel that your company can respond please complete the questionnaire and return to EvelynAvenueBLRF@sthelens.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Friday 31 January 2025. There is a maximum word limit of 500 words per question and we would appreciate clear and concise responses.

Please note that this is not a call for competition or any form of bidding, and this questionnaire will not formally begin a disposal process or constitute any commitment by St Helens Borough Council to dispose of the site for housing development.

This exercise is intended to help shape the council's next steps in taking forward this brownfield site. Any decision relating to disposal of the site will be subject to further formal decision making that will be undertaken in accordance with our statutory duties.

Potential developers will not be prejudiced by their response or failure to respond to this questionnaire. Potential developers must also note that a response to this request does not guarantee an invitation to participate in any future housing development opportunities offered by the council. Participants responding to this questionnaire may be invited to meet with the council to discuss questionnaire responses.

The council is subject to the disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) and that potentially any information we hold is liable to disclosure under that Act. For this reason, we would strongly advise that any information you consider to be confidential should also be labelled as such. If a request is subsequently made for disclosure under the FoIA that request will be dealt with in accordance with the legislation.

Process and guidelines for assessing the expressions of interest

EOI submissions will be assessed on whether they meet the following minimum criteria, to ensure their credibility and alignment to council objectives. Responses will shape the council's next steps in taking forward this site.

Questions on the EOI form will identify if:

• The organisation demonstrates that they able enter into a partnership with St Helens Borough Council to satisfy the requirements of the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2.3 (BLRF2.3) conditions as outlined
• There is evidence of previous experience of the successfully remediation and development of brownfield land
• There is evidence of an outline project vision / concept for this site that places an emphasis high quality design, sustainability, social value, or other innovations, whilst demonstrating the ability to progress this project at pace
• Financial ability to deliver the requirements of the contract.  Suitable evidence of this must be provided as described in Question 6.  

Questions 1 to 7 will be scored on the following basis:

Council Vision

St Helens Borough Council is seeking expressions of interest to appoint an experienced delivery partner to create a high-quality neighbourhood development for this exciting opportunity to develop a prime brownfield site which has the added benefit of being awarded over £1million to support the remediation of the site prior to development.

The council owns approximately 1.83 hectares of land at Evelyn Avenue which provides an outstanding opportunity for the development of approximately 80 new homes in an existing residential neighbourhood, with the aim being to create an attractive and sustainable development that positively responds to the local setting whilst providing a quality environment that can be enjoyed by all. The full potential of this site is illustrated in the Development Brief provided. These objectives are supported through the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund with an award of funding to St Helens Borough Council of over £1 million to undertake remediation works on this site prior to development. .  

The council is seeking to identify a development partner who has a track record of high quality and efficient delivery on brownfield sites.  A contract for sale / remediation must be signed with the council before 31 March 2025. Under the terms of the OPE funding the contract for sale / remediation should be signed by 31 March 2025.  However, the council is awaiting the outcome of a request for variation to this date which would instead require the contract to be signed by 30 September 2025.  All subsequent dates would remain the same.

This will commit to full completion of remediation of the site by 31 March 2028. The nature of the site means that there is an expectation that start on housing development can commence alongside remediation, with development of the whole site proceeding on completion of remediation deadline of 31 March 2028.

The land at Evelyn Avenue is located to the east of St Helens town centre in the neighbourhood of Parr. The location has excellent public transport links to the town centre and to the railway network to Liverpool and Manchester.  The future occupants will have easy access to several schools, medical facilities, shops and recreation areas. The site has huge potential to deliver a sustainable residential development which forms a natural extension of the existing neighbourhood. The site is a long-standing regeneration priority and the area also stands to benefit from - and support - major strategic growth opportunities in St Helens.

The council's vision for quality and accessible housing for all is presented in its Housing Strategy 2022-27.  The borough wishes to increase the delivery of a mix of both affordable and executive homes.  The council will encourage suitable modern methods of construction to accelerate delivery where possible.

Specific aims for this site development are as follows:

• Density towards the higher end of 35 to 45 dwellings per hectare with an expectation of houses which in keeping with the character of existing homes in the area
• Use of green infrastructure to provide a high quality setting for the homes and to provide links to the nearby public parks
• Accessible and permeable layout
• Achievement of a high level of environmental sustainability in terms of design and energy use
• Types of homes which contribute to the delivery of the Council's Housing Strategy, with a preference for a mix which would provide both market and affordable housing.

Background

This development opportunity forms part of the former Parr High School site which was closed in August 2002 following the public consultation. Since that time, a new school (Mill Green) has been constructed on the eastern portion of the site whist the remaining area has remained undeveloped due to know ground conditions in this area.

Brownfield Land Release Funding

The potential of this site for development has been constrained by the known presence of former mine workings and associated spoil alongside land contamination. The council has recently applied for competitive funding from the governments Brownfield Land Release Fund (2) and was successful in securing funding for costs of bringing the land up to developable standard. The funding is for eligible costs including but not exclusively:

• site levelling, groundworks, demolition, remediation
• provision of small-scale infrastructure
• highways works or other access challenges
• addressing environmental constraints
• external works, substructure and piling
• asbestos removal
• sewer diversions

Key milestones are as follows:

• The council must sign a contract with the development partner by 31 March 2025. However as explained above, a decision to the funding body on a request to defer this date to 31 September 2025 is awaited.
• All eligible works delivered by the funding must be completed by 1 January 2028 so that the land is fully released for commencement of house building by 31 March 2028
• Housing development is expected to take place between 2028 and 2030 and may commence alongside remediation.

Development Planning Brief

A development brief has been prepared for this site which seeks to promote this opportunity and provide a summary of the planning policy considerations and design principles that the council would be seeking from its development partner. The development brief has been provided to help create a responsive and distinctive development for this area of the borough. This document is not prescriptive and assumes that the resultant development will meet or exceed the relevant regulations and standards.

Site Investigations

A site investigation document (PDF, 45 MB) provides details of a geo-environmental assessment of the site.

NB: The site investigation report was commissioned to support previous proposed development at the site. Developers interested in this site should ensure they make their own investigations to verify findings in the report.