Newton-le-Willows regeneration moves forward following Board endorsement

Article date: 21 October 2025

The Regeneration Plan and 4-Year Investment Plan identifies priority areas over the next ten years for the investment of £20million of funding for the town through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's (MHCLG) Plans for Neighbourhoods Programme secured by St Helens Borough Council in Spring 2024. 

Developed through extensive community consultation and utilising socio-economic data and strategic insights, the Plan sets out three priority investment themes for Period 1 (April 2026-March 2030): 

• Regeneration, High Streets and Heritage (20% of the public vote) 
• Education and Opportunity (19.5% of the public vote) 
• Health and Wellbeing (16.7% of the public vote) 

In addition to these three areas the Board identified community cohesion as a priority, proposing the development of a 'Community Pot' to enable community capacity building and social infrastructure projects through a competitive grant funding basis. An initial allocation of £250K will be available for Period 1 (April 2026-March 2030).  

The Regeneration Plan and 4-Year Investment Plan will now be submitted to St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet on 19 November for approval as the fund's accountable body before submission to MHCLG on 28 November 2025. If approved funding and activity will commence in April 2026. 

Chris Hickey, chair of the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board said: "This plan is a bold shared ambition for Newton-le-Willows, shaped not only by us as a Board but by the community who have fed into the robust consultation process. We will continue to work together with the Council, residents, business owners and wider stakeholders to deliver our vision of a thriving town that people are proud to call home." 

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council said: "I'm delighted that the Neighbourhood Board has developed a future vision for Newton-le-Willows. It is crucial that the voices of our residents are listened to when we are looking to deliver change, and I have seen first-hand how these plans have been shaped extensively by the feedback we received during the consultation process. This is a big milestone, and I look forward to formally submitting our plans and delivering investment that makes a real difference to the people of Newton-le-Willows." 

David Baines MP, Member of Parliament for St Helens North said: "The £20million Plan for Neighbourhoods funding has the potential to make meaningful, lasting change in the town. It is encouraging to see the ambitious proposals put forward for Newton-le-Willows endorsed by the Neighbourhood Board who will be vital in overseeing the delivery of the investment over the next decade." 

See the Regeneration Plan and 4-Year Investment Plan below