ST HELENS will receive a government grant of up to £50,000 to engage local people in the process of neighbourhood planning projects in their area.

St Helens has been earmarked as one of four "underrepresented areas" in the country, and will receive funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to give communities a greater say in what buildings they want to see in their area.

With up to £50,000 granted to St Helens Council, this is to be spent on initiatives which encourage residents to get involved in the neighbourhood planning plans for new infrastructure.

From new homes to shops or offices, the scheme is hoped to empower communities in the local decision making process and ensure local people decide on what infrastructure is necessary to improve or regenerate their area.

While the location and delivery of these new developments will depend on future consultations with the public, a St Helens Council spokesperson said that the method provides a "powerful set of tools for local people to meet their community's needs, whilst ensuring the ambition of the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area."

Giving the community a "much stronger role" in shaping the future of where they live and work, the neighbourhood plans will "sit alongside the local plan prepared by St Helens Borough Council".

More than 1,200 communities have completed a neighbourhood plan in England so far, which have delivered affordable housing, homes for older people and young families and the conservation of green areas.

Speaking about the funding, Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helen’s Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning said:

“It is very important that residents in the borough are closely involved in the development of neighbourhood plans as it will help to ensure that we deliver the kind of projects that are really needed.

“It will also complement other projects being driven by the Council to create a brighter future for those who live and work in the Borough, such as the Council's partnership with the English Cities Fund to regenerate St Helens and Earlestown town centres and Parkside.”