THE company which won a planning battle to create a £150m industrial development at Florida Farm North held an event to discuss its plans for the site.

Held at St Helens Chamber, the 'Meet the Buyer' event was organised in partnership with commercial developer Bericote Properties who will develop on the Haydock green belt site after winning planning permission.

Bericote are in the process of sourcing suppliers to commence construction at the site, with the project to be called the M6Major.com development.

The event was attended by more than 20 businesses from the area who got the opportunity to find out more about the process and how they could work with Bericote on the construction of the scheme.

Bericote say the M6Major.com project will create at least 2,500 jobs as well as generate more than £2m per year in business rates for St Helens Council.

The £150m proposals to build distribution and industrial warehouses on green belt land were approved by St Helens Council’s planning committee in January.

Protesters' hopes to push for the plans to be called in for a public inquiry were unsuccessful after a strong campaign by residents to oppose the proposals saw 2,000 letters of objection written.

Keith Wilson, development director at Bericote, said: “It is very encouraging to see so many businesses attending our event today who want to learn more about our development in Haydock.

"Bericote is committed to ensure that the benefits of the employment opportunities created by M6Major.com are enjoyed by local people and businesses.”

Bericote have yet to confirm any contractors to operate from the site, although fashion retailer Boohoo have been linked with the development in the trade press.

The developers have said the first building at the M6Major.com site could be in use by 2018.

Cllr John Fulham, St Helens Council's cabinet member for growth, added: "It is important that local people benefit from economic development in St Helens.

"I am pleased to see Bericote engaging with St Helens Chamber to ensure that small and medium-sized local businesses have the opportunity to work on the construction of a major development like M6Major.com, which will provide significant benefits for the borough."

See M6Major.com for more.