SOG bullish following Heath selection

A public consultation has been launched for the proposed £54m glass research facility in St Helens, which this month secured Government backing.

The developer’s plans to create a 1.8m sq ft industrial complex on Green Belt land close to Haydock Racecourse have suffered a setback after St Helens Council opposed the £165m scheme ahead of an inquiry. 

Knowsley Council has recommended approval for housebuilder Taylor Wimpey's plans to develop 227 homes on the site of the 19-acre Whitakers Garden Centre on Liverpool Road.

Plans from developers Urban Generation Crosby and Penny Lane Builders to redevelop the site of the former Central Buildings into apartments have been knocked back by the council over a lack of public amenity space. 

The Merseyside coastal town has unveiled further proposals for its interconnectivity “refresh”, including 300,000 sq ft of new public spaces in the town centre and waterfront, and improved pedestrian and cycling routes.

There are always places and sectors that buck trends, even in challenging times, so which parts of the Liverpool city region’s economy are charging ahead, asked a Place North West event.

Southport-based developer 79th Homes has acquired the Art Deco former cinema on Park Road East for an undisclosed sum and plans to convert it into up to 30 apartments.

The Liverpool-based affordable housing provider has bought from Knowsley Council an 8.5-acre site off Knowsley Lane and Astley Road in Huyton that has approval for 131 homes. 

St Helens Council is to determine its position on the 1.8m sq ft industrial scheme next week, ahead of an inquiry by the secretary of state at which the proposal will be considered alongside three similar applications called in this year.