Parkside Regeneration annual report highlights commitment to sustainability and social value

Article date: 18 February 2026

The report shows that over the 2024-2025 period, the Joint Venture generated almost £800,000 of added value through its social value initiatives. This included:

• A telemarketing campaign to identify businesses within Newton-le-Willows, St Helens Borough and the wider region for tender opportunities, with more than 190 businesses now registered to participate.
• A successful Meet the Buyer event with more than 80 interview sessions conducted with local businesses and shortlisted contractors for the first major package of works relating to the Phase One development.
• A school initiative that provided more than 100 Year 9 and Year 10 students with an introduction to careers in the construction sector, using a hi-tech simulator based at Hope Academy in Newton-le-Willows.

Significant progress across a number of planning and contractual issues for Phase One of the scheme is detailed within the report, including Reserved Matters approval for the infrastructure packages and planning consent for the Phase One units. Site works have also progressed on the Phase One development site with activity to remove self-seeded trees and shrubbery to facilitate the commencement of the main earthworks contract.

Sustainability is a key focus of the Annual Report and work to ensure that the Joint Venture delivers market-leading sustainability in design and operation took major steps forward, with designs to RIBA Stage 4 for the Phase One development reinforced by the findings of a major study into the site's embedded carbon.

The report also outlines demand for development has remained consistently high during the last year.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council said: "As a Council and as a partner in the Parkside Regeneration Joint Venture, we remain focused on ensuring that  residents and businesses in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens Borough and the wider North West region are benefitting from the regeneration of this LCR Freeport site, not just upon completion but throughout the entirety of the programme.

"This report outlines our commitment to supporting young people in the area by equipping them with the skills to step into the new roles emerging through this development. Our Inclusive Growth Strategy outlines our commitment to supporting businesses in the borough to access new opportunities linked to our major investments and it is fantastic to see so many businesses already engaged in the process with more opportunities to come as development delivery progresses." 

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said:"This report highlights the significant steps forward taken on the Parkside Regeneration Programme over the past year and it is fantastic to see works start to begin on site in preparation for main works beginning on this truly transformational development. It is also encouraging to see that interest in the site remains high from a number of sectors, reinforcing the need for bringing this brownfield economic development site back into use and the vital role it will play in meeting current and future needs."

Download the Parkside Regeneration LLP Annual Report 2024/25 here.