St Helens Borough Council has announced a new masterplan to guide the transformation of the former Watson Street Works, a key brownfield site in the heart of the town.

The proposed development will introduce a dynamic mixed-use scheme featuring approximately 764 new homes, 150,000 sq. ft of commercial space, ancillary retail and leisure facilities, and extensive public realm enhancements. High-quality structured landscaping and the retention of significant heritage assets will further enrich the area, ensuring a blend of modern living and historic preservation.

The masterplan follows a landmark investment by Pilkington UK—the company’s largest in decades—which successfully consolidated production and jobs at the adjacent Greengate Works site. This shift has unlocked a strategically valuable opportunity to redevelop Watson Street Works for the long-term benefit of St Helens, complementing broader town centre regeneration efforts.


Lisa Harris, Executive Director for Place Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: "The masterplan will help bring the site of the former Watson Street Works back to life, continuing nearly 200 years of pioneering activity by providing exciting new regeneration opportunities for developers whilst preserving historic features on the site.

"This is extensive prime brownfield land close to St Helens town centre and will add another dimension to the development offer we have in the area as part of the St Helens Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, which is already home to Glass Futures, SINA Medical Glass and Inovus Medical. The site is also an integral component of the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Investment Zone, being one of its three designated tax sites, offering financial benefits to businesses relocating and expanding in the area."