St Helens Council's planning committee is set to approve proposals for a £155m manufacturing and logistics development it's hoped will deliver thousands of jobs.
The authority's committee has been recommended to give the green light to Peel L&P's application for Haydock Point that was originally submitted back in 2017.
Peel L&P said as well as providing an immediate 265 full-time construction jobs, once completed, it will be worth around £159m a year to the North West.
Following feedback from highways authorities, an additional £11.4m plan for "significant improvement works" to Junction 23 of the M6, and a new junction of the A580, was proposed as part of the scheme.
Speaking ahead of next week's meeting, Richard Knight, director - land and communities at Peel L&P, said: “During a time of economic uncertainty, our proposals for Haydock Point and associated highways improvements at Junction 23 present an opportunity to deliver a substantial economic boost to St Helens and support a wide range of jobs for local people.
“Whilst we have submitted an appeal, we will continue to engage with officers and elected representatives to work towards determination at a local level, if possible.
"We believe that this is the best way to ensure that Haydock Point reflects the needs of local people and delivers maximum benefits to St Helens.”
Peel L&P said the plans for the 167,000sq ft site would bring a "wide range of social and economic benefits" to St Helens, with the five-year works hoped to start in 2021.
The recommendation of approval is subject to several conditions - including the late-submitted plans for highway works at Junction 23 of the M6, and the implementation of a "sustainable transport plan".
That's as well as an 'apprentice support fund' of £100,000 and a scheme replacing wintering bird habitats.
The planning meeting will take place on November 24.
Following the anticipated local authority approval, the application will then be considered by Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
It comes after Mr Jenrick ‘called-in’ other logistics and distribution employment schemes in Wigan, Bolton and St Helens for a public inquiry.
In July, Peel L&P decided to appeal the existing Haydock Point application to the Secretary of State on the grounds of 'non-determination', to ensure that the proposals are considered at the same time as the other logistics developments - to "ensure the St Helens based employment proposals are included in the process, to help to secure local investment and jobs".
A statement put out by Peel L&P this week added: "Peel L&P remains committed to following St Helen’s Council’s planning process and ensuring that the scheme is determined by local members."
