Funding granted to develop 61 new homes in St Helens town centre

To assist with the town's regeneration plans, St Helens Council is one of 41 local authorities to receive support from the government's Brownfield Land Release Fund 2.

Receiving the second highest figure in the North West at £812,142, the money will help kickstart the 'phase one' development of the town centre masterplan.

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The funding is a boost to phase one of the town centre's regeneration plans (Image: St Helens Council)

61 new town centre homes

To begin with, this will see town centre brownfield sites transformed into 61 new homes, to be followed by the wider regeneration project that aims to bring in more than 400 mixed-style properties to the area.

The rest of the town centre's phase one project will also see the creation of a new market hall, high quality offices, a new hotel, sweeping thoroughfares opening up the town centre from the bus station to the Parish Church, new retail units and a new bus station among the plans. 

The development plans has also included the proposed compulsory purchase orders of public buildings in the town centre; including The Swan pub, Hardshaw Centre, the car park, bus station, as well as land on Corporation Street, Library Street, Bickerstaffe Street and Hall Street.

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Plans for a food market are also included in development proposals (Image: St Helens Council)

Transformation of complex and challenging brownfield sites

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, said: “We’re delighted to have received more than £800,000 in what has been a highly competitive bidding process for the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2.

"The fact we brought in one of the highest amounts in the region shows that our bid was strong thanks to the support of our partners including the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the English Cities Fund and Amion Consulting. 

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“This fund is designed to support the transformation of complex and challenging brownfield sites into quality homes and this funding will go towards the work to create a town centre that is fit for the future as an attractive place to visit, live and work.

"Our regeneration will see a greater focus on sustainable developments with improved public and active travel opportunities that support our commitments to making the borough greener and will also create opportunities for businesses and residents to make St Helens town centre their home.”