Plans to build 1,100 new homes at a Liverpool city region brownfield site are now more likely to become a reality thanks tonew light-touch planning approach from Government.

In the last few days Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has delivered a speech where he emphasised the importance of his Government’s plan to oversee the construction of 1.5m new homes during the life of this parliament.

In the speech he referenced the 104-acre Cowley Hill Works site in St Helens, which has been brought through the planning system by Promenade Estates and BXB Land Solutions. It will deliver 1,100 new homes in a £200m project.

In his announcement Mr Starmer highlighted the Environment Agency’s role in the scheme’s progress after its withdrawal of prior concerns related to the construction of the new spine road serving the site.

BXB worked closely with the Accelerated Homes Department and St Helens Council to secure the revised agreement.

In his speech Mr Starmer said: “We’ve already made progress in just seven months, unblocking 20,000 stuck homes. But there’s more to do. We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder.

“We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.”

BXB Cowley Hill secured planning consent for 1,100 new homes, a hotel and 43,000 sq ft of commercial space close to St Helens town centre in March 2022. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Brownfield Land fund has funded £3m of enabling works.

In January 2024 LBN further revealed that affordable housing provider Torus was taking on a 12-acre plot within the development upon which it will build 200 homes.

“The Government’s flexibility and drive has provided a timely boost as we seek to push forward with the remainder of the site,” said Gary Goodman, BXB’s land and planning director.

“I welcome their intervention, and the role St Helens Council has played.  Regenerating complex brownfield sites like this is not easy, but it’s more likely to succeed when you have partnerships such as this.”

Dan Hynd, managing director of Promenade Estates, also said: “Planning constraints are expensive and can render some developments unviable. Anything the Government can do to unlock the planning process to make it more streamlined is to be welcomed.”