The Proposals
The Site
The Site comprises approximately 8 hectares of agricultural land, and is bound to the north by a row of trees, to the east by agricultural fields and properties on Frenchfields Crescent, to the west by residential properties and gardens on Lindsey Street and Crawford Street, and to the south by Gorsey Lane.
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The Site sits at the southern edge of St Helens, approximately 4km south of the town centre, adjacent to Clock Face and in close proximity to Clock Face Country Park.
Site Location Plan
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Planning Context
The St Helens Local Plan 2020-2037 was adopted in 2022, and guides development within the borough over this period. The Site is allocated for residential development as part of the Bold Forest Garden Suburb under Policy LPA04.1 (Strategic Housing Sites). Bold Forest Garden Suburb is allocated for approximately 3,000 new homes, with a minimum of 510 dwellings to be delivered during this plan period.
Taylor Wimpey’s site sits in the southwestern corner of the allocation, adjacent to Clock Face, with direct access from Gorsey Lane. The Site represents a logical opportunity to provide an initial phase of development within the Garden Suburb that will kickstart the delivery of this new community.
Alongside this application, Taylor Wimpey is working collaboratively with the Council on the wider Bold Forest Masterplan to ensure a cohesive development comes forward on the wider allocation. It is envisaged that the Masterplan will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document by the Council at a similar time to the submission of this outline application.
Wider Bold Forest Garden Suburb Allocation
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The Proposed Development
Taylor Wimpey is proposing to deliver a range of much needed, high-quality homes at the site. The planning application is submitted in outline but will consist of around 220 new homes, a new access road, areas of public open space and children’s play equipment. 30% of the new homes will be affordable, suited to the needs of the wider community and the local planning policy requirements.
The site has been carefully planned to take account of the site’s surroundings and the opportunities this presents. The proposals respond to the constraints of the site and have been carefully considered and are informed by detailed technical assessments and background evidence.
An illustrative masterplan is shown to demonstrate how a future development could be delivered at the site and would be integrated with its surroundings. A detailed site layout would follow at Reserved Matters stage upon granting of outline planning permission.
Site Layout Sketch
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In summary, the emerging scheme proposes to deliver:
Around 220 energy efficient homes in a traditional style.
Provision of new vehicular access from Gorsey Lane, with connections into the wider garden suburb.
New areas of public open space will be delivered, including new recreational space and a Local Area for Play (LAP).
10% Biodiversity Net Gain delivered onsite, or through offsite measures if onsite is not possible.
30% of the new homes as affordable homes in accordance with local planning policy.
New tree planting and landscaping to new homes and public open spaces
Retention of existing landscape features across the site where possible, and creation of landscape and biodiversity features such as bee hotels.
New pedestrian links through the site, to Gorsey Lane, Hall Street and into the wider Garden Suburb.
Retention of existing community allotments adjacent to existing homes on Crawford Street.
Timescales
We are currently working to the following anticipated timescales:
