THE ambitious Parkside regeneration scheme is being tipped to put St Helens "back on the map" as a regional economic power – with construction on the link road set to begin within weeks.
As reported last month, the first phase of the regeneration of the former Parkside colliery site has been given the go-ahead by Michael Gove, the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities.
The first stage of the project in Newton-le-Willows is expected to bring almost 500 jobs during the construction of its first phase and the potential of more than 1,300 new jobs in the completed buildings.
The first phase of development will see 93,000 square metres of new employment space built on the site.
The Government announcement also saw approval of the Parkside link road.
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.
Reports on the scheme came before the council’s cabinet during its meeting on Wednesday.
Members backed proposals to approve the funding and delivery of the Parkside link road and associated off site junction improvement mitigation schemes linked to the planning approval for the project, along with agreeing to underwrite additional costs while officers continue to pursue external funding sources.
Cllr Andy Bowden, cabinet member for environment and transport, said approval will enable the link road to commence construction in "as little as six to eight weeks".
He said: “The time to talk is over and it’s now time to deliver, as we set out in our manifesto.”
Cllr Bowden also emphasised that the link road is a "critical element" of the overall Parkside development and will be "pivotal" in unlocking the site’s full potential.
Towers on the Parkside pit site being demolished
Meanwhile, Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, recommended that members consider "further investment" that will enable the "bringing forward of the site" to ensure that "momentum is now continued".
He told members he is delighted the site will deliver "much-needed economic activity and jobs for local people", adding the benefits will put St Helens "back on the map as a regional economic power".
Members considered additional investment to contribute to the advancement of pre-development activity over the next 12 months "pursuant to the expedient regeneration" of the former Parkside colliery.
However, the "financial implication" of this investment was deemed to be commercially sensitive so the matter was considered in Part 2 in private.
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