RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on potentially major changes to the borough’s planning masterplan, which includes proposals to take swathes of land out of the green belt.

The Preferred Options of the Local Plan sets out how many new homes need to be built and how much employment land needs to be found.

Residents will have to respond to the consultation with an official form by noon on Monday, January 30 to have their say.

This can be downloaded at sthelens.gov.uk/localplan or at the Town Hall and local libraries and completed forms should be emailed to planningpolicy@sthelens.gov.uk or by post to St Helens Local PlanPreferred Options, St Helens Council, Development Plans, Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP.

The council is to hold a number of drop-in sessions at libraries.

These sessions are open to all and will give residents an opportunity to view the plan and speak to members of the council’s Planning Policy team, these will be held at:

  • Garswood Library, on Thursday, December 8 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • Haydock Library on Friday, December 9 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • Central Library on Saturday, December 10 and Saturday January 14 from 11am to 3.30pm
  • Rainford Library on Monday, December 12 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • Chester Lane Library, Tuesday, December 13 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • Newton-le-Willows Library on Thursday, December 15 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • Rainhill Library on Monday, December 19 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • Thatto Heath Library on Tuesday, December 20 from 2pm to 6.30pm
  • St Helens Town Hall on Wednesday, December 21 and Wednesday January 21 from 10am to 5.30pm

For more information on the Local Plan visit sthelens.gov.uk/localplan, email planningpolicy@sthelens.gov.uk or call the team on 01744 676190.