Logistics scheme on former colliery site could create many hundreds of jobs

Many hundreds of jobs will be created during, and after, construction of a proposed logistics site and nature trail park in Merseyside.Specialist logistics developer Tritax Symmetry has entered into an agreement with The Land Trust to bring forward a new employment site and Country Park on land at the former Cronton Colliery in Knowsley.The proposals for Symmetry Park, a one million sq ft employment site, will create hundreds of jobs for the region while the 65 acres of Country Park will be a stunning wildlife haven for the local community to enjoy.The project team includes Gerald Eve as planning consultants and UMC as architects for the employment scheme.Michael Lee Architects will work in partnership with the Land Trust on the design of the new Country Park.The Country Park will rejuvenate the site of the former Cronton Colliery to provide exemplary publicly-accessible open space and community facilities.A network of paths derived from the coal seams below the site will wind their way through a biodiverse habitat of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands.A new sustainable transport route will follow the abandoned mineral railway line, facilitating safe access for all and connecting the towns and villages to the North and South of the M62.The Country Park will contain 11 acres of broadleaf woodland, eight acres of wetland habitat to be enjoyed and explored, and five kilometres of paths to use for walking, cycling or running.The Land Trust has entered into an agreement to transfer an area of its land to Tritax Symmetry, which will form part of the employment site adjoining the associated Country Park.Planning applications for the respective masterplans will be submitted to Knowsley Borough Council this Summer, once a period of public consultation has taken place.Located east of sunction six of the M6, the sites form part of the Halsnead Garden Village Sustainable Urban Extension (HSUE) which represents part of the wider vision for the Halsnead Garden Village.As well as creating up to 830 gross jobs during the construction phase, once operational the employment site will generate in the region of £46m of net additional GVA per annum and more than 900 jobs within the Liverpool City Region.In Knowsley alone that represents £35m in GVA and almost 700 jobs, meeting the needs of the labour market and the demand for jobs in the Knowsley and wider region, thereby having a significant regenerative impact.Tritax Symmetry is the dedicated logistics developer of Tritax Big Box REIT plc.