The masterplan proposals are being prepared in line with site allocation 4HA and Policy LPA11 included in St Helens Local Plan. As a key source of housing supply in the borough over the coming years, the ambition is to deliver around 3,000 homes across the masterplan area 30% of which will be affordable.
However, the project has so much more potential than simply demonstrating the delivery of new homes. The masterplan is being prepared in line with Garden Village principles, with a focus upon high-quality design and landscape delivery. It is about ensuring a healthy, sustainable and connected life for all residents, future generations and the wider borough.
During this first consultation, we want your views on the early outputs from the masterplan process. We have been working on understanding conditions in the area, including physical characteristics of the site that need to inform future proposals.
This has included the preparation of three different potential approaches to future development in the area. We want your feedback on the opportunities and challenges of each approach, to inform thinking on a preferred approach.
This preferred option will then be the subject of a second consultation exercise, which is anticipated to take place in autumn.
Approach one – Urban extension united by a green heart
This approach focuses new community hub facilities towards existing neighbourhoods that lie adjacent to the site, aiming to maximise connectivity and continuity between existing and new communities.
A new large-scale green space will be located towards the centre of the site, adjacent to the Local Wildlife Site, linked by clear, broad green corridors.
Development adjacent to site boundaries
- Multiple new access points created along site boundaries, all framed by new development frontage.
- New roads, footpaths and cycle paths connecting into the development from Reginald Road, Bold Road, Travers’ Entry, Neills Road and Gorsey Lane.
- New and improved footpaths and cycle paths connecting into the development area from Clock Face (Crawford Street area).
- Potential for a new local centre in proximity or adjacent to Reginald Road / Bold Road frontage. This would help to emphasise the connection between the site and St Helens Junction rail station, complementing existing services and facilities in Sutton Village.
A ‘Green Heart’
- Large, centrally located green space creates a ‘Green heart’ that becomes a key community destination, both for existing residents in the area and future new residents.
- The large scale of this green space would allow for different functions and facilities, with particular opportunity for inclusive outdoor sport, play and recreation.
- The location of the space would help to strengthen connections to Clock Face Country Park and the existing Local Wildlife Site. Being located on higher ground, it would open up key views out from the site.
A new ‘Greenway’
- The existing long-distance footpath that passes through the site (south west to north east alignment) could be enhanced as a generous green corridor: a strategic ‘Greenway’.
- The Greenway would help to link communities to the central ‘Green heart’ open space and also become an important wildlife corridor.
- It would help to create better long-distance pedestrian and cycle connections between Clock Face Country Park, Bold Moss and Sutton Manor.
Approach two – A new village with green edges
For this approach, boundaries between new development and existing neighbourhoods will be defined by new green spaces, creating a distinct ‘new village’ within the central part of the site. Green spaces on the site edges would provide new, accessible multifunctional spaces that benefit existing and future new residents.
Landscaped green space at the edges
- Green spaces provide a physical break between existing urban area and new development.
- These spaces would be designed as active recreation spaces that create attractive and lively destinations within walking and cycling distance of all local communities.
- The green edges could help development to blend with the local landscape setting and could include new tree planting.
- Green edges would link to the central parts of the site, creating new long distance circular walks, cycling and jogging routes, connecting into Clock Face Country Park.
Development maximised within the centre of the site
- Development creates a distinct ‘new village’ within the core of the site. New homes and local centre uses would be orientated more towards the centre, with careful consideration towards proximity to existing local centres and high streets, away from the edges.
- Development connected by new roads linking through the core of the site, including a central ‘main street’ that could create a focal point for local centre uses and public space that can accommodate community activities.
- Strong, clear and safe footpath and cycle routes would connect across the green edges towards the new development.
- The development area would meet the site boundary at Reginald Road / Bold Road to emphasise the connection with St Helens Junction Rail Station and links towards facilities in Sutton Village.
- Potential to slightly expand Clock Face local centre by including additional complementary community facilities at the south-western edge of the masterplan.
Approach three – Maximising existing community assets
This approach aims to prioritise opportunities for new development to enable improvements to the existing local green space network and enhance other key facilities (e.g. local schools).
The site would be maximised for residential development, which would contribute financially to local projects that upgrade existing assets (catering for new residents and directly benefiting existing communities).
However, this approach could potentially challenge the vision and principles of a garden village, therefore new green spaces, green corridors and public spaces would be delivered throughout the site to very high quality to maintain a garden village ethos.
Contributions to the local area
- Key local green spaces targeted for improvement. This could include spaces such as Sherdley Park and King George V Playing Fields, for example diversifying the range of functions within the space and improving quality and maintenance.
- Potential to prioritise improvements to existing outdoor sport and active recreation facilities.
- Potential for investment to improve the accessibility of existing natural / semi-natural green spaces at Bold Moss, Clock Face Country Park and Sutton Manor.
- Local primary schools to be assessed and improved where they are needed to cater for new families living within the site.
- Improvements to local roads and footpaths /cycle paths to enable and promote walking, cycling and use of public transport across the area.
- A list of project priorities could be drawn up in consultation with local communities.
New internal site facilities
- Development within the site would also include new green spaces and community uses or small-scale local centre uses.
- Green spaces within the site would prioritise provision of amenity and recreation space (local parks and play spaces) that would create local ‘hub’ locations within the development.
- Only limited provision of natural / semi-natural green spaces within the site itself.
Maximising development area
- Development area within the site would be maximised whilst still delivering a garden village.
- Multiple new access points along site boundaries at Gorsey Lane, Reginald Road, Bold Road, Traver’s Entry and Neills Road framed by new development frontage.
- New and improved footpaths and cycle paths connecting into the development area from Clock Face (Crawford Street area).
To view our plans and boards, please click here.