Wirral pushes on with revamp schemes

Local authorities have redoubled efforts to convince Chancellor Rishi Sunak to support projects such as a new Deeside Parkway station and the modernisation of Chester’s station in the Budget Statement on 3 March.

Peel L&P’s proposed multi-modal terminal on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal has been included in Liverpool City Region’s bid for ‘freeport’ status, despite it being in Greater Manchester.

The inquiry into Parkside Regeneration’s proposed 1m sq ft industrial estate in St Helens has concluded and the developer has begged Northern Powerhouse secretary Grant Shapps to approve the scheme.

The council is to acquire properties from Sandway Homes, the housing development company it set up in January 2019, as part of a drive to re-enter the social housing market for the first time in almost 15 years.

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. 

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.

The second stage of a consultation to inform an emerging blueprint for the future of planning and development in the city region launched today, focussing on placemaking, communities and job creation.

The council is to implement a strategy that would allow it to buy assets in the borough to boost revenues in the face of "unprecedented challenges” including lack of Government funding and the pandemic. 

The development of a 158,000 sq ft, £54m R&D facility for the glass industry, next to St Helens’ rugby league stadium, has received a major funding boost with £15m committed by central Government.