A former UK glass site will be transformed into a 'vibrant mixed-use' development after approval from planners.
Pilkington UK's Watson Street Works in St Helens will be converted into homes and a leisure facility as part of the town council's masterplan.
The masterplan proposes a vibrant mixed-use development comprising circa 764 new homes and 150,000sqft of commercial development, ancillary retail and leisure, alongside extensive public realm and high-quality structured landscaping, and with the retention and utilisation of some key non-designated heritage assets
It has come to fruition following one of the single biggest UK investments by Pilkington UK for many decades to successfully transfer all production and jobs to the adjacent Greengate Works site.
This provided an opportunity to redevelop the site.
Lisa Harris, Executive Director for Place Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: "The masterplan will help bring the site of the former Watson Street Works back to life, continuing nearly 200 years of pioneering activity by providing exciting new regeneration opportunities for developers whilst preserving historic features on the site.
"This is extensive prime brownfield land close to St Helens town centre and will add another dimension to the development offer we have in the area as part of the St Helens Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, which is already home to Glass Futures, SINA Medical Glass and Inovus Medical."
Pilkington is due to vacate the site next month (April 2025).
