PLANS for an urban skate park in St Helens town centre have been given the green light.

St Helens Council’s cabinet backed the skate park, pending planning approval, in April 2017.

A planning application was submitted detailing the proposals for the site, which is between Chalon Way car park and Foundry Street, back in March.

The decision to approve the plans was taken through delegated powers on April 20 by Melanie Hale, development control manager at St Helens Council.

“The proposal complies with the development plans and would improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area,” the decision notice said.

“It therefore comprises sustainable development, such that the Local Planning Authority worked proactively and positively to issue the decision without delay.”

The Bliss Park development is being led by St Helens-based arts agency Heart of Glass in conjunction with St Helens Council – which will manage the site – Merseyside Police and other partners.

Bliss Park will take the form of a public square with two large sculptural forms placed within it, along with pockets of green space and safe boundaries.

The skatepark has been designed as a “unique skateable environment”, built with spectators in mind.

All elements within the square, including the sculptural forms, will be designed to be skated.

The project came about due to perceived anti-social behaviour around Church Square, which is a popular destination for skaters.

Merseyside Police has offered £65,000 from the Community Cash Back Fund – which utilises money obtained through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) – to help fund the project.

Heart of Glass has also pledged £30,000 towards the site’s design, which has been developed in collaboration with Studio Morison, an artist-led creative practice and CANVAS, skate park specialist.

A time frame of three years has been set to start the development.

The developer must also submit a full detailed landscaping scheme for all hard and soft elements that will need to be approved in writing as satisfactory by the local planning authority.