PLANNING permission has been granted for two new warehouses in Bold, which it is claimed will create more than new 1,000 jobs.
The plans are part of the three-phase development at Omega West.
Work is already underway on unit one, which will be occupied by Merseyside-based firm, Home Bargains, following approval from Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove.
Now reserved matters applications have been given the green light by St Helens Borough Council’s planning committee for the erection of units two and three.
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Between them, the council says they "have the potential to create around 1,500 jobs" - with end-users confirmed for both sites.
Unit two - 308,905 sq.ft in size - will be located behind unit one, comprising of the main logistics warehouse, including a two-storey office for administration and welfare facilities, as well as a transport office in the yard to control vehicle and stock movements.
Unit three - 505,409 sq ft in size – will be located to the southeast of unit 2.
According to the council, job opportunities - coordinated by St Helens Borough Council’s flagship Ways to Work programme - will support residents into employment or training.
But the local authority says there will also be significant benefits from the development including a "17 acre ‘green wedge’ planted to provide biodiversity mitigation and ecological enhancements".
Developer contributions will also go towards the improvement of Bold Forest Park, home to the iconic Dream sculpture.
Meanwhile, to help connect local communities with job opportunities, the council says it will be looking at a range of environmentally friendly travel options.
The council has secured a £900,000 investment to support the development of bus services from St Helens to the site.
In a statement Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, said: “With so much happening now in the way of regeneration projects like Omega West, Parkside, Glass Futures and the transformation of our town centres to name a few, these are really exciting times for the borough.
“We promised sustainable inclusive growth with new jobs and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”
Work on units two and three is due to start later this year, with Home Bargains distribution centre expected to be operation by 2024.
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