THE eagerness of developers to locate logistics hubs in the borough has intensified after Peel Logistics submitted an outline planning application for a £161m site in Haydock.

The 1.8-million-square-foot development, known as Haydock Point, would be located on agricultural land to the north east of Junction 23 of the M6, close to Haydock Industrial Estate and Haydock Park Racecourse.

The submission to St Helens Council comes just weeks after it was decided the controversial £150m proposed development by Bericote on green belt land at Florida Farm North, Haydock would not be called in for a public inquiry by the Government.

The latest proposals are expected to sharpen the debate and divisions between those who believe such investment is crucial to delivering growth and jobs in the borough and others who are vehemently opposed to green belt development.

A 25-day consultation on the Haydock Point project was held between November 29 and December 23 last year, with 151 individuals or organisations providing feedback.

While just eight per cent of the feedback was positive, negative comments focused mainly on how the road system would cope with the extra traffic, the development’s layout and the need to use green belt land.

In response, Peel said the road network had been fully reviewed and an assessment of the scheme had concluded that no improvements were necessary to Junction 23.

Peel also say there are no suitable brownfield sites of the right size or availability to accommodate the need.

Peel Logistics, working with Peel Land and Property, unveiled the plans at the end of November.

The development represents a potential investment of approximately £161m and would generate around 2,500 full-time jobs.

Peel say the site is suitable as its location has excellent connections to the roads and motorway network, urban centres and north west facilities.

Peel Logistics, working with Peel Land and Property, unveiled the plans at the end of November. The development represents a potential investment of approximately £161m and would generate around 2,500 full-time jobs.

Peel say the site is suitable as its location has excellent connections to the roads and motorway network, urban centres and north west facilities.

Access would be created via a new junction on the A580, with new pedestrian and cycling routes also being planned.

According to Peel, ecological features and habitats will be retained as far as possible and visual impact, air quality and noise impact assessments have been carried out.

Neil Dickinson, chief operating officer at Peel Logistics Property, said: “Haydock Point is an oven-ready site for large scale occupiers.

“The location of the site at Junction 23, close to markets and with available labour, provides the perfect conditions for a premium logistics and industrial park.”

A decision is anticipated on the outline planning application by July 2017.