Wain Homes’ Newton-le-Willows scheme rejected again

St Helens Council has refused the developer permission to build 99 homes off Mill Lane for the second time.

Concerns around a lack of public space and the design and layout of the scheme put paid to Wain Homes’ hopes of approval.

St Helens Council rejected the Newton-le-Willows project on Friday, a little more than a year after refusing permission the first time.

Wain Homes resubmitted plans for the project following the first rejection. In 2022, the council cited eight separate reasons for refusal. Last week, there were only three. Progress in that regard will be of little consolation to the developer, which will now have to weigh up its options before making its next move.

Wain Homes’ scheme proposed just shy of 100 homes, with 30% designated as affordable.

Part of the 12-acre site was formerly in the Green Belt but was removed as part of the adoption of the St Helens Local Plan. This part of the plot is now undesignated, with the remainder of the site designated as safeguarded land.

The project team included Emery Planning, SCP, TBA, DGL Associates, and Barnes Walker. The application’s reference number with St Helens Council is P/2023/0619/FUL.