SERIOUS doubts have been cast over the number of new jobs projected as a result of the Parkside regeneration scheme.

The virtual public inquiry over plans to regenerate the former Parkside Colliery site in Newton-le-Willows recently concluded.

Proposals to redevelop the former colliery, which was shut in 1993, were originally submitted in January 2018 by Parkside Regeneration LLP, a joint venture between developer Langtree and St Helens Borough Council.

It believes that it will provide 1,330 new jobs when fully complete, add more than £80 million a year to the St Helens economy and provide £2.2 million a year in business rates to support local services.

However, Dr Kevin McLafferty, who lives close to the site, is doubtful.

He has a professional doctorate in business and is the former global head of business intelligence at HSBC.

Dr McLafferty said: “I am worried about the safety and the security of the overall business case of which there are underpinning elements of the amount of attested jobs that will be generated, the downplaying of the environmental impact, the downplaying of the social impact, the ecological impact.

“For me, it seems that where it suits the ideological perspective of the developer, things are either downplayed or exacerbated depending on the scenario.

“The nature of the business being proposed will not generate the jobs and the nature of the business being proposed is damaging to the environment.”

Dr McLafferty also expressed fears over the loss of green belt as a result of the overall regeneration scheme.

He says he is a proponent of development of the brownfield site which is the ‘footprint’ of the old colliery to something that is ‘more sustainable’.

Meanwhile, he raised the possibility of the land being used for retail, a business park, offices, manufacturing or a college campus – rather than just for ‘B8’ use, storage and distribution.

He believes there are economic and social benefits for the redevelopment of the site that would provide a better ‘holistic’ benefit for society and residents.

John Downes, of Parkside Regeneration, has written to transport secretary Grant Shapps – who is also responsible for the Northern Powerhouse – urging him to get behind the project.

"The colliery’s redevelopment fits squarely with the Government’s ambitions to rebalance the economy, not least because of its scale and regional significance," he said.

“It’s a shovel-ready scheme that will provide more than 450 construction jobs during the £78 million build phase.

“The region simply can’t afford to turn down such a stimulus given the impact of the pandemic.

"The scheme will add vital logistics capacity at a time of sustained growth and investment in the Port of Liverpool and enable St Helens to capture well-paid jobs in the logistics sector."

The planning inspector will make recommendations in due course to the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, who will make the final decision on whether the Parkside scheme can proceed.