PLANS have been sent in for the next phase of the ongoing major development project at Moss Nook.

What is the application for?

The latest application includes for the creation of sports pitches on land at the site, between Parr, Sutton and Bold, which will see in total up to 900 homes developed.

St Helens Star: A blueprint of the 900 home developmentA blueprint of the 900 home development (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Plans seek to construct formal sports pitches, changing facilities, a ground maintenance store, car parking, landscaping, drainage, pedestrian footpath enhancements and associated works, on land At Cromdale Grove Playing Field.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has already constructed 258 new houses on former industrial land, in phase one of the Moss Nook project.

What the applicants say

The application for the next stage, sent in to the council, states: “The applicant is now seeking to progress the delivery of Phase 2, which comprises the development of new formal sports pitches, changing facilities and car parking on the existing Cromdale Grove Recreation Ground to compensate for the loss of the Beechams playing fields (which will be developed for residential uses as part of Phase 4).

“Following detailed pre-application discussions with St Helens Borough Council, it has been agreed that a standalone full planning application for Phase 2 is required.”

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The plans add the proposed scheme includes provision of new formal sports fields, “varying in size, to compensate for the loss of Beechams playing fields, currently used by Penlake Juniors AFC, which are to be developed for residential uses as part of later Moss Nook development phases”.

It is said the proposed development “has been designed to provide a flexible arrangement in respect of the number of pitches available”, which “can be amended to meet the needs of the occupying football club by alterations to pitch white lining”.

The initial development will deliver seven pitches, including one adult 11v11 pitch, one youth 11v11 pitch, one  9v9 pitch, two 7v7 pitches and two 5v5 pitches.

St Helens Star: The proposed site plan for phase twoThe proposed site plan for phase two (Image: Turley (St Helens Council Planning Portal))

It adds: “The proposed changing block unit has been designed as a single-storey structure in order to provide a suitable interface with the adjacent residential properties. The unit will comprise 240m² GEA hosting changing rooms, with each room containing a shower and WC facilities. A kitchen, committee room and further communal WC provisions will be provided within the unit.

“The groundskeeper’s shed/ equipment store will be delivered as a steel storage building of 5m long x 4m wide”.

Meanwhile, 153 car parking spaces will be provided, including eight accessible spaces.

St Helens Star: A CGI of homes created in phase one of the Moss Nook schemeA CGI of homes created in phase one of the Moss Nook scheme (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

The application summarises: “Proposed development will deliver a high-quality formal sports facility, with playing pitches, changing facilities and associated infrastructure, which will provide an enhanced level of sporting provision for the local area.

“Furthermore, the proposals will deliver significant enhancements to pedestrian and cycle connectivity between this 6 site and the surrounding area, improving public safety and improving visual amenity”.

Public consultation

Plans are on standard consultation to the public until Tuesday, April 25.

A determination deadline has been set for June 30.