PLANS for 173 homes as part of an "ambitious" development at Prescot Park have been approved by Knowsley Council's planning committee.

Taylor Wimpey will build 173 new "high quality" homes at its Hamlet Woods development at Prescot Park which will include a selection of three and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes.

This is the largest housing development on the brownfield site, formerly occupied by Prysmian Cables and Systems, which will eventually deliver more than 700 new homes.

During 2017 plans were approved for Anwyl Homes to build 119 properties and Barratt Homes, who are currently on site building 150 houses.

Cllr Moorhead, leader of Knowsley Council said: “The council has ambitious plans to attract more residents, business and visitors into Knowsley and this is another important step towards achieving this.

"These high quality new properties will provide even more choice for families looking to buy a new home in Knowsley and Prescot.

“The application from Taylor Wimpey is another vote of confidence for Prescot as a place to invest in and supports our plans for the transformation of Prescot and the wider borough.”

Ian Harrison, Taylor Wimpey land and planning director, added: “The approval of this planning application marks an exciting milestone for Taylor Wimpey.

"We look forward to the delivery of new housing at Hamlet Woods and assisting with the Council’s regeneration plans for the area."

Knowsley Council adds that the planning application supports its wider regeneration plans for Prescot which include the construction of the new Shakespeare North Playhouse and education centre, a new community police and fire station, the Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative, including the transformation of Market Place, a Shakespeare-themed boutique hotel and ‘The Bard’ Shakespeare themed micro-pub.