‘Pit village’ plan gets go-ahead

Aug 1 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

DERELICT land at a former St Helens coal mine is to be transformed into a 1,200 home village costing £140m.

The first residents of the development at Moss Nook, Sutton, could move in by the end of next year, now the scheme has been approved by the Government.

The plans will turn one of the largest areas of neglected land in the town into a vibrant community, including high quality housing and amenities, tree-lined boulevards, village greens and allocated open spaces.

Property firm Banks Developments’ proposals will include a range of two, three and four bedroom properties, ranging from apartments to detached houses, 10% of which will be designated as affordable housing.

It will be the largest of three urban villages that have now been approved to promote the continuing regeneration of St Helens.

Two major pieces of public open green spaces, surrounded by a network of smaller green areas will be included, along with three full-sized football pitches, a smaller pitch for junior players and new changing facilities.

Banks will also be making improvements to nearby Sutton Mill Brook Park, and have designed a management plan for its future long term care.

A one-acre part of the site has been set aside for commercial development, which is likely to encompass a number of small shops.

Banks will shortly start remediation work on the site, which was previously used for various industrial purposes including coal mining and concrete block manufacture.

lizawilliams