AN AGENT has been appointed to market an upcoming major housing site which will see the biggest bronwnfield development in St Helens' Local Plan.

BXB Cowley Hill Ltd, the joint venture between brownfield land specialist BXB and Promenade Estates, has appointed the agent to market the Cowley Hill Works site.

The location, which has planning approval for 1,100 homes, has been divided into four plots, with two of them now being marketed by Northern Land Agency.

Plot one, at 12.7 acres, has consent for 220 homes, a children’s play area and an acre of public space.

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Meanwhile, plot three, at slightly more than 16 acres, has consent for 316 homes, a children’s play area and 2.8 acres of public open space.

“We are delighted to bring Merseyside’s largest brownfield site to market," said BXB director Gary Goodman.

"With construction costs stabilising and residential land being in short supply, we believe this is the optimum time to invite offers for the site.

“Since securing outline consent we’ve been busy preparing the site for an onward sale.

"Working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, St Helens Council and SP Energy Networks we’ve secured  a new 10MVA electrical substation and completed a new dedicated access for Pilkington."  

Mr Goodman added: “In addition, we are in the process of making a detailed planning application for the site spine road and entrances and we will be offering the site up fully remediated.

"We are expecting strong interest and the project further demonstrates our expertise in the brownfield land sector.

Largest brownfield site in St Helens' Local Plan

BXB and Promenade secured planning consent for up to 1,100 new homes, a hotel and commercial space off College Street, north of St Helens town centre, in March 2022. 

Cowley Hill Works is the largest brownfield land allocation within St Helens’ Local Plan, which was adopted by the council in July last year.   The redevelopment of the site is expected to generate capital expenditure of £200m, with a further £15m expected to be spent on goods and services each year by the new residents and £1.5m of annual council tax receipts generated on full occupation.

John Dunlop, of Northern Land Agency, said interest is already strong.

"The market has been anticipating this launch and house-builders have been quick out of the traps," he said.

"When you have a site with all the fundamentals in place, which is close to the town centre and in an established area with good schools, that’s hardly a surprise.”

The joint venture intends to retain the commercial element of the consent, which will be delivered once the housing sites have been sold.