Approval lined up for major Knowsley development

Major plans for an employment site in Knowsley covering 1,000,000 sq ft of space look set to take a prominent step forward later this week. If backed, more than 1,000 jobs could be created.The proposals form part of the Halsnead Garden Village – one of the first 14 sites in England awarded Garden Village Status by the government in 2017.It is designed to accommodate approximately 1,600 homes and at least 55 acres of employment land, together with education and health provision, greenspace and a country park.The application being decided on forms part of the wider masterplan and concerns the site of the former Cronton Colliery.It is a hybrid submission by Tritax Symmetry, with full approval sought for a single unit.This would cover 153,100 sq ft of warehouse space and 11,000 sq ft of office accommodation.There would also be 154 car parking spaces and 15 loading docks, among other aspects.Outline approval is sought for a much larger part of the development: up to 838,100 sq ft.The application is expected to yield “significant economic benefits” for the borough, through both the construction of the buildings and continuing through the operational phase of the development.It is predicted that up to 1,035 full-time equivalent jobs will be supported through the construction. Based upon the proposed use of the site, it is considered that up to 1,146 full-time equivalent positions will also be created at various levels.The application will go before Knowsley Council’s planning committee on 10 June, with a recommendation for approval.