Planning permission has been granted for a 85,000 sq ft state-of-the-art life sciences and advanced manufacturing development at the St Helens Manufacturing and Innovation Campus.
Project Halo will comprise four cutting edge ‘Tech Box’ units offering adaptable layouts to accommodate bespoke office, laboratory and light production requirements.
Led by St Helens Borough Council and delivered by Network Space, the scheme is set across a five-acre brownfield site off Roby Way, adjacent to the Glass Futures Centre of Excellence and SINA Medical.
Network Space was appointed by St Helens Borough Council as development manager for the site in 2023 following the council’s acquisition of the land, supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to see planning permission granted for project HALO. As a borough we are positioning ourselves as a growing hub for the life sciences sector and this marks another key milestone in the provision of world class facilities for innovative businesses. Ambitious developments such as this offer real opportunities for the residents of our borough bringing high value jobs and apprenticeships right in the heart of St Helens. It is a clear sign of our commitment to delivering sustainable growth for our communities now and for generations to come.”
Joe Burnett, development director at Network Space, added: “We’re delighted to have secured planning for Project Halo to deliver high quality, flexible workspace that addresses the productivity gap in the manufacturing and science sectors. Its proximity to Glass Futures and other innovation-led sectors will allow businesses to tap into an already established system for collaboration, knowledge sharing and sustainable growth.
“St Helens Borough Council is delivering one of the most ambitious regeneration strategies in the North West, strengthening the town’s reputation for innovation whilst creating high quality employment and supply chain opportunities for the region.”
