BXB Cowley Hill firms up strategy for 104-acre St Helens sale 

Northern Land Agency has been appointed to market the first two sites, totalling just shy of 30 acres and with permission for 536 homes. 

BXB Cowley Hill, a joint venture between BXB and Promenade Estates, won planning permission to redevelop the 104-acre former glassworks into 1,100 homes in March 2022. 

Now, the JV has split the site into four plots and Northern Land Agency is marketing two of them for sale. 

The first is a 12-acre plot that could house 220 homes. The second is slightly larger at 16 acres and has capacity for 316 properties. 

Early stage talks with interested parties have been taking place since planning approval was granted and BXB director Gary Goodman believes the time is right to make a concerted effort to bring the sites to market. 

“With construction costs stabilising and residential land being in short supply, we believe this is the optimum time to invite offers,” explained Goodman. 

Since securing outline consent, the JV has completed several infrastructure projects to get the sites ready for sale.  

These include delivering a new 10MVA electrical substation and completing a new dedicated access for Pilkington, which occupies a neighbouring site.  

“In addition, we are in the process of making a detailed planning application for the site’s spine road and entrances, and we will be offering the site up fully remediated,” Goodman added. 

Cowley Hill Works is among the largest brownfield land allocations within St Helens’ local plan, which was adopted by the council in July last year.    

The redevelopment of the site is expected to generate capital expenditure of £200m, according to the JV.

John Dunlop, director of Northern Land Agency, said interest in the opportunity is already strong. 

“The market has been anticipating this launch and house-builders have been quick out of the traps.   

“When you have a site with all the fundamentals in place, which is close to the town centre and in an established area with good schools, that’s hardly a surprise.” 

The joint venture intends to retain the commercial element of the consent, which will be delivered once the housing sites have been sold.