ST HELENS Council has formally approved the planning application for a industrial and distribution warehouses at Florida Farm North.

In 20 March, the Secretary of State Sajid Javid had written wrote to St Helens Council, indicating that he did not intend calling in the controversial application for a public inquiry, and that the final decision should be determined by the local authority.

In January the planning committee had passed the £150m proposals submitted by Bericote Properties for two giant warehouses to be developed on the green belt land in Haydock.

A council statement said: "As necessary, the council has reviewed additional information, as regards planning matters from the intervening period, and has today (Thursday, April 27) determined the planning application and issued the decision notice approving the application".

A strong campaign had been set up by residents to oppose the proposals, submitted to the council last summer.

More than 2,000 letters of objection were written with concerns including loss of green belt, the visual impact, increased traffic, the effect on wildlife, potential flooding, concerns over air pollution and noise.

Bericote say 2,500 jobs will be created by the development and are “committed to ensuring that local people get the first opportunity to secure these jobs”.

Councillors voted 10 to four in favour of the plans before they were formally referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.