Councillors are set to decide whether to invest £1.1 million into a project that could become an integral part of the life sciences investment in St Helens.

The project, known as Project Halo, would be located between Glass Futures and James Roby Way, as part of the St Helens Manufacturing and Innovation Campus.

The funding would be used to bring forward plans for the site and its development for end users.

This is a key part of the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Investment Zone, one of three designated tax sites offering financial benefits to businesses relocating and expanding in the area.

Project Halo aims to create a life sciences development that could employ more than 300 people in four 'TechBox' spaces.

These spaces would help address the borough’s productivity gap and support the delivery of the council’s Borough Strategy and its Inclusive Growth Strategy.

The report states: "The Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Investment Zone presents an opportunity to crystalize the region’s world leading strengths and capabilities in life science and complimentary specialisms.

"It also aligns with St Helens growing innovation capabilities and will build on the borough’s advanced manufacturing strengths."

The site is close to the soon-to-be-transformed St Helens town centre, with rail and road connectivity and a 'skilled workforce'.

Its proximity to Glass Futures and Sina Medical Glass positions it well for specialist advanced manufacturing.

The report also highlights a 50 per cent growth in life science jobs in the borough over the last five years, with further growth in the manufacturing, scientific and technical sectors expected.

It states: "We are aware of several local companies with significant growth potential that will require new specialist premises in the short to medium term.

"For this reason, and supported by the CBRE UK Market Analysis, it is considered that demand exists, and the time is right for this type of high-quality development in St Helens to support the delivery of both the Borough Strategy and the Inclusive Growth Strategy."

The Cabinet will make the decision whether to approve the funding at their meeting on Wednesday, November 20.