THE second phase of public consultation on plans to build more than 1,200 homes on the Cowley Hill Works site has been announced.

Cowley Hill Works, located off College Street, is one of the largest brownfield development opportunities in Merseyside.

Due to new technologies, Pilkington now do not use 104 acres of the site, comprising of mainly unused buildings, waste ground and old railway sidings.

Regeneration experts BXB Cowley Hill Ltd, a joint venture between BXB and Promenade Estates, first announced its plan in July this year to build 1,250 homes on the site.

A successful first phase of consultation took place during the summer, which resulted in 87 per cent of people asked agreeing with the proposed regeneration ambitions.

A draft Masterplan for the site has been revealed as part of the next round of public consultation.

It sets out how the site will deliver up to 1,250 new homes of mixed type and tenure, up to 4,850sqm of mixed use floorspace, new areas of green infrastructure and public open space, sustainable drainage systems and vehicular access for highways.

The demolition of remaining structures on site, together with ground remodelling, site remediation and ancillary works, will also form part of the planning application submitted to the Council later this year.

The second phase of consultation asks residents to provide their feedback on the draft Masterplan ahead of an outline planning application being submitted later in the year.

The draft Masterplan is available to view at cowleyhillworks.co.uk.

Two public exhibitions are also scheduled to take place at The Mansion House in Victoria Park.

The events will take place on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm on both days.

During these sessions, members of the development team will be on hand to answer any questions on what is proposed.

Residents unable to attend the events or access the website are encouraged to call the dedicated Community Information Line on 0161 7110293 during office hours, Monday to Friday ahead of the consultation ending on Monday, November 11.

Gary Goodman, Director at BXB Cowley Hill Ltd, said: “The response to the first phase of public consultation was very positive and I look forward to hearing further feedback from residents on our Masterplan during this round.

"The Cowley Hill Works presents a unique opportunity to deliver new homes on an underused piece of land and I am confident that the regeneration of this site will bring numerous economic benefits to St Helens.”

BXB Cowley Hill Ltd is working hand in hand with NSG Group to enable them to continue operating at the site and it is anticipated that the proceeds from the sale of the land will be utilised by NSG Group as part of its ongoing commitment to St Helens.