A PUBLIC consultation on the regeneration of Haydock, Earlestown and Rainhill will take place in the New Year.

In 2017 St Helens Council committed to vision and masterplan these three centres over future years.

Joint work has already been undertaken with housing provider Torus on identifying a vision.

According to a council report, a draft strategic approach  for each area is ready to be consulted upon with the public.

Parr councillor Andy Bowden, deputy leader and cabinet member for balanced development, housing and economic opportunity, presented the report to cabinet on Wednesday.

Cllr Bowden said: “This Labour council made a commitment in 2017 to masterplan the future of Rainhill, Haydock and Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows.

“We’ve been working with Torus as a major partner in the borough and ward councillors to develop a vision for each area.

“And this report now takes us to the next stage to consult with those communities in the New Year to help shape their future and deliver change in the short, medium and long-term.”

The Labour councillor encouraged residents, community groups, sports clubs and other organisations to take part in the consultation.

Cllr Bowden said: “We are ambitious for the whole of our borough and the areas specifically mentioned in this report and I am sure that, that ambition we have for our community will be reflected by the communities themselves through this consultation.”

Council leader Derek Long said the move represented a “clear indication” of the council’s commitment to regenerating town and district centres across the borough.

Haydock councillor Anthony Burns, cabinet member for community based and focused services, said it is important to “celebrate” the heritage of the borough’s districts.

Cllr Burns said: “It’s fantastic we celebrate our unity as a borough but it’s also very important that we celebrate our villages and districts’ identities too.

“Haydock, Earlestown and Rainhill town centres amongst others, with their vast cultural history and heritage, are very key to our borough and it’s important we celebrate that as we look forward to embracing the future.”

The public consultation approach is intended to ensure public views are incorporated into the council’s plans, the report says.

Following the public consultation, the strategies will be amended in response to the public’s view and more detailed proposals will be developed.

The council would then look to shift to a delivery phase following the public consultation and further development of the masterplans.

The report says delivery is largely dependent on working with “willing partners”, as the council has very little control over the ownership in the centres.

It adds that it is likely to be delivered over a “number of years” but says the council will pursue immediate opportunities for improvements when they present themselves.

Cabinet noted the development of a draft vision and strategy approach for each of the three centres and approved a public consultation for the New Year.