Residents of St Helens are invited to share their views on the proposed redevelopment of the former Watson Street glass works site. This 30-acre site is being considered for a mixed-use development as part of the Liverpool City Region Life Science Investment Zone, with plans for 600 to 700 homes and commercial, R&D, and industrial spaces.

Broadway Malyan, in collaboration with St Helens Borough Council and NSG Group, is leading the project. They will host a public consultation event on Friday, 12 July, and Saturday, 13 July, at the LaGrange Arcade in the Church Square Shopping Centre in St Helens, where residents can view the plans and provide feedback.

The redevelopment aims to create a vibrant district on the edge of the town centre, featuring a mix of residential, light industrial, and business units. The design incorporates green spaces and draws inspiration from the site’s industrial heritage.

Ivor Phillips, director of architecture at Broadway Malyan, stated, “This is a huge opportunity for St Helens to regenerate and reimagine this key brownfield site and create a vibrant, liveable and sustainable place that takes reference from the past while responding to the future needs and aspirations of the town.”

Neil Syder, managing director at Pilkington UK, added, “While we won’t be directly involved in future development of Watson Street Works, we are keen for potential developers to recognise the contribution the site could make to the future regeneration of St Helens. It’s a really exciting time for the region, and with our investment into Greengate, and possibilities for the future of Watson Street looking really interesting, we are committed to supporting the St Helens community to thrive, and ensuring that the town remains at the heart of UK glass manufacturing.”

The project team includes Nexus Planning, IMT Consulting, Curtins, RSK, TEP, Buro Happold, and Aspinall Verdi.

Pilkington UK has a long history at the Watson Street site, producing glass there for nearly 200 years. NSG Group continues to support the local glass industry by moving production to a more sustainable facility at Greengate Works, which aligns with their goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This move frees up the Watson Street Works site for new development opportunities.