Intermodal Logistics Park North (ILP North)
Many local residents will be aware of and followed proposals for the development of a Strategic Freight Rail Interchange (SRFI) and associated warehousing at Parkside.
Ever since the Parkside colliery was closed in 1993 St Helens Council have had desires to redevelop the colliery area. However, their ambitions have involved land far beyond the original footprint of the colliery.
The draft St Helens Local Plan issued in 2019 identified ~160 acres west of the M6 (Parkside West) and ~ 200 acres east of the M6 (Parkside East) for release from the Green Belt for the development of warehousing and an SRFI. Parkside East was never part of the colliery and is high grade agricultural land.
After several years and various proposals the situation came to a head in January 2021 when two public inquiries were held; one inquiry for the building of warehouses on Parkside West (Parkside Phase 1) and one inquiry for the construction of the Parkside Link Road, a new road linking the A49 in Newton-Le-Willows to the southern end of A579 Winwick Lane and then on to J22 of the M6.
The business case for the Parkside Link Road was solely based on opening up the Parkside area for warehousing and an SRFI. LHSRG joined forces with the Parkside Action Group and actively took part in the public inquiries campaigning against both developments across a range of issues. Unfortunately the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of both developments. Wigan Council also objected to both developments, mainly concerning issues with highways, but did not attend the public inquiries.
The St Helens Local Plan was adopted in 2022. Full planning permission for Parkside Phase 1 was approved by St Helens Council in March 2024 and the Parkside Link Road was opened in May 2025. An outline planning application for more warehouses on Parkside West (Parkside Phase 2) was submitted to St Helens Council in August 2024.
