Decision on major planning application for St Helens to be taken this week

The proposed centre of excellence for Glass Futures Ltd would be developed at the ex-United Glass site at Peasley Cross.

The council's planning committee will meet on Tuesday evening to discuss the plans, which are regarded as one of the most significant applications to go before the town hall in recent years.

Planning documents recommend approving the scheme, which it is hoped would be a catalyst to bring more innovative and manufacturing companies to St Helens.

There have been no representations against the plans.

Glass Futures is a not-for-profit research and technology organisation, developed by British Glass and the Glass Technology Institute.

The building will aim to be a national centre of excellence for glass production and process innovation.

How the brownfield site currently looks

Research and development will also take place within the building in laboratory space, along with office space and warehouse space for the storage and distribution of the glass, however these uses are all be supportive the building's main purpose.

The facility will aim to deliver industry and government backed R&D projects aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of glass production and will provide a platform for industry to test and trial their own ideas, both collaboratively and individually.

Planning documents state that "the main building, associated car parking, landscaping and service phases will be built in one comprehensive programme of works".

It adds that some curtilage structures and buildings for storage and silos in the southern area of the site will be built out as a later phase of development once Glass Futures are established on the site.

A layout of the plans is included in the application

The applicant states that the location was chosen due to "its established local glass industry business and industrial heritage in glass innovation and manufacturing. In addition to the innovation, training research and development within the industry, the proposal is anticipated to deliver a range of socio-economic benefits".

There would be £24.3 million of construction costs, with 25 construction jobs created.

Once the facility becomes operational, there would be 40 jobs on site – increasing to 80 once the development is fully established, the plans add.

The application adds that the development will "create opportunities for local businesses via upstream and downstream supply chain".

Benefits for the wider economy could add up to a further "£11.2 million of turnover growth per annum" and the "facility will focus on developing and retaining a skilled workforce and support apprenticeships", the proposals add.

The application adds it is envisaged several apprenticeships will be supported per annum.

The planning statement adds: "It is envisaged that the facility will attract inward investment reinforcing the position of St Helens as a focus for glass and other foundation industries.

"Based on an estimate of 150 visitors a week the activity could support additional expenditure of around £0.92 million per annum within the local economy."

A CGI of the proposed site

Access to the site would be from a new internal estate road off Langtree Way and there would 111 car parking spaces on site.

The site would be funded through a mix of public and private investment.

Landowner and developer, Network Space, will secure private sector investment to support the construction costs alongside a £9m grant from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Glass sector companies will also contribute a further £20m in resource, time and equipment to support the project.

And £15 million of investment has been secured from the Government as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s Transforming Foundation Industries.

Speaking when the plans were put in Glass Futures chief executive, Richard Katz, added: “The planning submission is a great step forward in creating a facility that will deliver innovative technologies to make glass net zero.

"The centre of excellence will help us work collaboratively with our members, the supply chain and academia to achieve that aim.”

It is said developments at the facility will also have profound implications for other foundation industries such as chemicals, ceramics, paper, steel and cement. For example, what is discovered as a waste product in one sector could become a raw material in another.