St Helens and Earlestown transformations get the nod

A pair of regeneration strategies for the towns have been approved, paving the way for English Cities Funds to start work on the first phase of the 20-year visions. 

St Helens Council voted to approve ECF’s masterplans for St Helens and Earlestown town centres earlier this week, just over a year since the local authority and the consortium signed a two-decade development agreement. 

Work to draw up planning applications can now start. They will be submitted in the coming months, according to the council. 

Read more about the proposals contained within the masterplans 

The first phase of work in St Helens town centre will include:  

• A new bus station  
• A new market hall in the centre of the town  
• 50,000 sq ft of office space  
• Town centre homes 
• A 120-bedroom hotel
• Extensive public realm improvements.

The first phase of work in Earlestown town centre features:   

• Enhancing Market Square with a partially covered market area, flexible events space and landscape improvements 
• Improvements to key high streets between the railway station and Market Square to make the environment more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly in support of local businesses. 

“This is a huge step forward for our borough,” said Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and planning. 

“Now our focus is on putting forward the planning applications for the first phase of each project, which will be submitted in the coming months, so that the much-needed transformation of these town centres can start as soon as possible.”  

Leon Guyett, development director at ECF, added: “It’s fantastic to reach this significant milestone in our partnership with St Helens Council, as we receive cabinet approval on our proposals to breathe new life into the town centres of St Helens and Earlestown. 

“It was great to speak to many members of the community, which has informed the masterplan as it stands. We look forward to continuing on with the delivery stage of our partnership, as part of our collective commitment to delivering place-changing, sustainable regeneration that will drive direct benefits to all areas of the borough.”