Blueprint for major colliery regeneration set to go on show
Developers behind the proposed regeneration of the redundant colliery at Parkside in Newton-le-Willows have confirmed that they will be submitting a planning application at the end of July for the first phase of the site’s redevelopment.
Bosses at Parkside Regeneration, the joint venture between developers Langtree and St Helens Council formed to redevelop the redundant coal mine, also confirmed that they would be holding further public information days in advance of the application’s submission so that the public can see the final shape of what is proposed for the site.
“We have consulted extensively on our proposals and received some very constructive feedback,” said John Downes, group managing director of Langtree. “Where practical we’ve incorporated a number of suggestions in to our proposals and intend to share them with the public before we submit our plans.”
The plans cover the project’s proposed first stage, which would incorporate up to 1 million sq ft of new employment space, providing up to 1,200 new jobs, generating £40m a year in economic activity and adding £3.25m a year in rates payments towards the council’s income.
The public will be able to view the plans prior to their submission at two events: Hope Academy, Newton le Willows, 4pm – 8pm, Tuesday, July 11; Winwick Leisure Centre, Winwick, 4pm – 8pm, Thursday, July 13.
St Helens Council leader Cllr Barrie Grunewald, said: “The submission of a planning application is a key milestone in the joint venture’s ambitions for Parkside. It will show us the nature and scale of the opportunity before us to deal with long-term, generational unemployment in St Helens and bring a redundant, brownfield site back in to productive use.”
No date has yet been set for the planning application to be heard, although it is expected to be ruled upon before the end of the year.
Included with the submission will be a range of independent reports addressing issues such as road capacity, environmental impact and the development’s economic contribution to the borough.
