Knowsley country park plans set to advance

Plans for a huge country park in Knowsley as part of a wider masterplan look set to secure approval.Halsnead Garden Village was one of the first 14 sites in England awarded Garden Village status by the government in 2017.It will ultimately comprise 1,600 homes and at least 22.5 hectares of employment land, together with education and health provision and 33 hectares of greenspace.One of the main elements would be a 27-hectare country park, the plans for which are set to go before Knowsley Council’s planning committee on 15 July.The huge area would include a sculptured landscape, habitat and wetland areas, and a visitor centre with a café, education space, ranger officers, an outdoor terrace, a classroom canopy and a sky room.A car park is also proposed to the rear of Halsnead Villas, as is a bridge over the access road serving the neighbouring employment site.A report drawn up ahead of the meeting noted that the proposed public benefits “are considered to be significant”.Approval has been granted.