Go-ahead given for St Helens town centre redevelopment

The transformation of a large swathe of St Helens town centre has received the green light from St Helens Borough Council’s planning committee.

Images have been released following the approval, which show new views of the proposed bus interchange transformation and how clear focal lines will be created to the impressive Parish Church, drawing visitors into the town centre, together with striking visuals of the new market hall which will be an anchor of the redevelopment.

The English Cities Fund (ECF) – a joint venture between developer Muse, Legal & General and Homes England – will now advance detailed designs for phase one of the masterplan, which will include high-spec sustainable office space, an internationally branded hotel, new family homes, alongside a new market hall, shops and landscaped public spaces. This is part of ECF’s 20-year, borough-wide, strategic partnership with St Helens Borough Council.

Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “Less than a year ago we asked the public what they thought of our plans for St Helens town centre and their overwhelming support for this project shows that this is the right plan. Gaining planning permission for this exciting first phase of development shows that, with thanks to our partnership with ECF, we are delivering on residents’ wishes to see our town centre revitalised at the very earliest opportunity.”