Harworth kicks off next phase of Moss Nook masterplan
St Helens Council has approved the developer’s plans to build a £3m sports facility on the 21-acre playing fields at Cromdale Grove Recreation Grounds in the second phase of its wider 900-home development.
The first phase Harworth Estates’ wider Moss Nook masterplan is currently under construction to deliver 258 homes, with a spine road between Watery Lane and Sutton Road having opened in December 2022.
The local authority signed off Harworth’s proposals for the second phase of the masterplan at a planning meeting on Tuesday. The decision to approve the scheme was made in line with officer recommendations.
The Aew Architects-designed project features seven sports pitches, made up of two full-size and five smaller playing fields, as well as a single-storey 2,600 sq ft changing block.
Visitors will have access to 153 car parking spaces, including accessible and electric vehicle charging bays.
Access to the site will also be created into the car park off Fleet Lane.
Penlake Juniors Football Club will relocate to the facility once complete to compensate for the loss of its current home at the Beeches Playing Fields site, which is set to be developed to create homes in phase four of the larger 95-acre Moss Nook masterplan.
Cllr Richard McCauley, St Helens Council cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: “These high-standard sporting facilities will secure a new home for a longstanding and highly valued football team in our borough, while opening up woodland areas and providing new footpath links for residents to enjoy.
“Moss Nook is a prime example of how we can use our place in the Liverpool City Region to bring in investment to clean up brownfield sites, turning a derelict former manufacturing site into a bustling community with great local amenities, including these new sports facilities.”
Harworth acquired the wider Moss Nook site in 2018 and has secured outline planning consent to build up to 900 homes.
Andrew Pexton, regional director for the North West at Harworth, said: “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 over £3m invested and deliver lasting benefits for the local community, enabling Penlake Juniors FC to support even more young players.”
Gary Goodwin, secretary of Penlake Juniors FC, added: “The new facilities will futureproof the club, allowing us to grow and provide opportunities for more young players for many years to come.”
Cumming Group is the project manager. Also on the project team is planning consultant Turley, landscape architect DLA, and engineer Hydrock.
Want to learn more about the project? Search for application number P/2023/0218/FUL on St Helens Council’s planning portal.
