PLANS FOR HAYDOCK POINT EMPLOYMENT PARK TO BE CONSIDERED BY ST HELENS COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Later this month, members of the St Helens Council Planning Committee will be asked to decide the Council’s position on the appealed Haydock Point planning application, ahead of this being considered at appeal by an inspector and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Peel L&P, working with logistics developer PLP, submitted a planning application for the new manufacturing and logistics development in 2017. The development would deliver around 2,500 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs and a range of training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people. The scheme would also be worth approximately £159 million each year to the North West economy (GVA), with an annual uplift of £62.2 million for St Helens.
Following feedback from highways authorities, an additional £11.4 million plan for significant improvement works to Junction 23 of the M6 has been proposed as part of the employment park scheme. This investment would deliver a new junction on the A580 East Lancashire Road, as well as enhancements to J23 itself, reducing waiting times and improving safety for local businesses and residents at the junction.
In May 2020, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government ‘called-in’ other logistics and distribution employment schemes in Wigan, Bolton and St Helens for a public inquiry, which is being led by a Planning Inspector. In July 2020, Peel L&P decided to appeal the existing Haydock Point application to the Secretary of State on the grounds of non-determination, to ensure that the proposals are considered at the same time as these other logistics developments. This will ensure the St Helens based employment proposals are included in the process, to help to secure local investment and jobs.
Members of the St Helens Planning Committee are scheduled to meet on 24th November to decide the Council’s position on the planning application, which will then be presented at the public inquiry.
Nonetheless, Peel L&P remains committed to following St Helen’s Council’s planning process and ensuring that the scheme is determined by local members. As such, Peel L&P has submitted a similar planning application for determination at a local level, which is currently awaiting validation.
The proposals for Haydock Point Employment Park would deliver an economic and employment boost to St Helens. If approved, the development would bring an immediate 265 full time construction jobs and supply chain opportunities for local companies, in addition to the £11.4 million investment into improving the highway network around Junction 23 of the M6. As part of this investment, the northern arm of the A49 Lodge Lane would be re-routed through the Haydock Point site to a new junction on the A580 East Lancashire Road representing an investment of £10m. The development would also contribute a further £1.4m to improvements to Junction 23 itself.
Richard Knight, Director – Land and Communities at Peel L&P said:
“During a time of economic uncertainty, our proposals for Haydock Point and associated highways improvements at Junction 23 present an opportunity to deliver a substantial economic boost to St Helens and support a wide range of jobs for local people.
“Whilst we have submitted an appeal, we will continue to engage with officers and elected representatives to work towards determination at a local level, if possible. We believe that this is the best way to ensure that Haydock Point reflects the needs of local people and delivers maximum benefits to St Helens.”
More information about the project can be found online at www.haydockpoint.co.uk
