A £3 MILLION outdoor sports facility is set to be created at the site of a new housing development.

Harworth Group plc, a regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has announced that its plans to develop the facility at its Moss Nook development have been approved by St Helens Council.

The plans for the Parr site will see four new sports pitches created for Penlake Juniors FC as well as a multi-use changing room and car park.

The site at Cromdale Grove is the second phase of development at Moss Nook, with the first phase including 258 new homes currently under construction and new spine road between Watery Lane and Sutton Road – Provenance Avenue – which opened in December 2022.

Established in 1971, Penlake Juniors FC has become a production line for professional clubs

The club will relocate from their current home at Beechams Playing Fields, with the land to be used for residential development as part of a future phase of Moss Nook.

The application also includes new a footpaths linking the sports facility to the local area and providing connections to future phases of Moss Nook.

According to the developer, the planning application followed consultation with the local community, which led to a number of changes to the proposals.

As a result of feedback the football pitches were moved further away from residential properties on Cromdale Grove, the height of fencing was increased and improvements were made to footpaths connecting to the site.

The 95-acre Moss Nook site, just over a mile to the south of St Helens town centre, has an outline planning consent for 900 new homes.

In 2020, Harworth secured £2m funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to help accelerate development of the complex brownfield site.

Work is expected to start on the new playing fields in spring 2024.

In a statement, Andrew Pexton, regional director for North West, Harworth said: “Moss Nook is one of the largest regeneration projects in the region and is set to deliver up to 900 new homes including affordable and homes to rent alongside larger family homes.

"With the first phase already under construction, today’s decision is an important step forward in delivering a new residential community in St Helens.

"The plans for a new high-quality sports facility at Moss Nook will see more than £3 million invested and deliver lasting benefits for the local community, enabling Penlake Juniors FC to support even more young players.”

Gary Goodwin, football club Secretary, Penlake Juniors FC added: “I know that Penlake Juniors FC members will really appreciate this major investment and the state-of-the-art facilities the project will deliver.

"We’re very proud to have worked with thousands of young people over the last 50 years. The new facilities will futureproof the club, allowing us to grow and provide opportunities for more young players for many years to come.”

The decision was met with a positive reaction from Parr councillors.

The area has been hit by the decision to close Parr Library next year, while Parr Leisure and Fitness - including the swimming baths - sands dormant, awaiting demolition, although there are long-term ambitions to create a modern sports complex there.

Discussing plans for Moss Nook, Cllr Andy Bowden said: "This is a significant £3m investment in new sports facilities in Parr, and we look forward to welcoming Penlake Juniors, one of the borough's top amateur football clubs, to the community.

"As a result of the Moss Nook development, not only is the area gaining much-needed new homes, but also new facilities for new and existing residents to enjoy."

Meanwhile, Cllr Kate Groucutt she that "as well as the sports pitches" she is "particularly pleased about the clean up of the woodland to create a new walking route through to Sutton over the brook, and the planting of nearly 1400 trees and nearly 3,000 hedgerow plants".