By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

LOCATED NORTH east of the M6 motorway at Junction 23 Haydock Island, south of Haydock Park Racecourse, the site, to be known as Haydock Point, is set to see the development of 1.3 million ft2 of industrial and logistics space.

The proposals include a modern manufacturing and employment campus, secure, managed HGV parking with an alternative fuel hub with a welfare facilities and a central hub with cafe/restaurant drive-throughs and leisure/health/creche uses.

The dedicated and secure HGV parking will include an alternative HGV fuel hub to support HGV electric charging, HVO renewable diesel and CNG/LNG from day one, with hydrogen-ready infrastructure included to help future-proof the site as new fuel technologies become commercially viable. The hub would serve occupiers at Haydock Point, while also being available as a shared asset for local businesses and public services. 

The development is expected to create 1,845 on-site jobs across manufacturing, industrial, logistics and commercial roles. It would also contribute around £76 million of GVA during the construction phase with around £53 million of this concentrated in St Helens. If approved, the scheme would generate approximately £110 million in GVA per year once operational including £73 million in St Helens and provide around £4.4 million in annual business rates each year to help support local services and infrastructure.

The site was removed from the Green Belt and safeguarded for future employment development in the St Helens Local Plan (adopted 2022) and is now being brought forward.

Peel Land Group Managing Director Stephen Wild,  said: “The need and demand are here now to bring forward a modern sustainable employment campus that can meet the requirements of growing local firms and major occupiers. 

“As part of the project we will close the northern arm of the A49, diverting that route through our site to the A580 East Lancashire Road, to address long-standing highways capacity at M6 Junction 23 Haydock Island and improve journey times for all.

“In addition, our HGV hub will help tackle a known problem locally whilst the extensive landscaping and greenspace proposals will provide a parkland setting for development.”

Consultation on the plans are now underway prior to the submission of an outline planning application to St Helens Council later this year.