Councillors in St Helens are poised to debate a major blueprint for a new garden village that promises to deliver thousands of homes for the region.
Masterplan Framework Set for Cabinet Approval
The council's cabinet will be asked to approve the Bold Forest Garden Village Masterplan Framework at a meeting next Wednesday, January 21. This document outlines how the allocated site will be transformed into a sustainable, landscape-led community featuring approximately 3,000 new high-quality homes.
The proposals have been shaped by two rounds of public consultation, which included leaflet drops, public events, and an online portal. This feedback has been instrumental in planning the necessary social infrastructure to benefit the local community and manage the impact of such significant growth.
Infrastructure and Affordable Housing Commitments
As a direct result of public input, the masterplan now includes a proposed primary school and potential healthcare facilities within a new local centre on the site. Councillor Richard McCauley, the cabinet member for regeneration, emphasised the development's regional importance.
"This site is a hugely important residential development, not just for our borough but for the wider region," said Cllr McCauley. "It will help us deliver new social infrastructure and new homes for future generations, with a commitment to a minimum of 30 per cent being affordable homes."
The framework divides the site into six distinct character areas, each designed with unique local characteristics to ensure the development feels integrated and distinctive.
A Comprehensive Vision for Sustainable Growth
Cllr McCauley described the masterplan as an essential tool for mapping out one of the biggest housing projects in the North West. The goal is to ensure a comprehensive, well-connected, and well-designed development is delivered.
"This masterplan focuses on making sure that the right infrastructure is in place," he added. Key features of the plan include:
- A new local centre
- Extensive green spaces
- Funding for secondary school and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) education
- Sport and leisure facilities
- Transport and infrastructure upgrades for the wider area
If the cabinet approves the adoption of the framework, further detailed studies will be commissioned this year. These will include design guidance and transport modelling to aid the project's delivery.
