Work progresses to protect St Helens Borough's valued green spaces

Article date: 12 November 2026

Cabinet are set to receive an update on progress made since the Green Spaces Motion was approved by council in July 2026.

The motion called for immediate action to safeguard council-owned green spaces and to strengthen protection through the borough's new Local Plan, while also making sure that green space provided as part of future housing developments is delivered to good standards and properly maintained.

The council manages more than 1,100 individual sites covering approximately 1,400 hectares of open space, providing significant benefits for residents, communities and wildlife. These include 22 urban parks, 10 country parks, six nature reserves and natural green spaces, 35 outdoor sports sites, 67 children's play areas, 15 allotment sites and four cemeteries.

To help deliver the motion's call for green spaces protection, an Open Spaces Review Programme will be carried out over the next six months. Initially focusing on 25 key sites, the review will look at the level of protection currently in place and consider whether additional measures are needed to secure their long-term future.

Councillor Michael Gibson, Deputy Leader of St Helens Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "We are fortunate to live in such a green borough and we know how much residents value our parks, playing fields and green spaces. This motion was always about putting in place the tools to help us protect green spaces and this work demonstrates our commitment to protecting these important spaces for current and future generations."

Alongside this, progress continues on the preparation of a new Local Plan, which will help shape future housing, employment, infrastructure, community facilities and environmental protection across the borough.

For the first time as part of the call for sites process residents could nominate open spaces for protection. One submission relating to an area of open space at the New Bold Estate was received and will be considered as the plan progresses, with continuing call for sites opportunities as the Local Plan progresses.

The council also continues to support neighbourhood planning across the borough, following workshops delivered to parish councils in 2023 which contributed to the designation of two Neighbourhood Areas.

Councillor Jack Benyon, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, added: "Green spaces provide places for families to play, support biodiversity, improve health and wellbeing, and help create thriving communities. Through a combination of detailed review work, planning policy and other long-term protection measures, we are making sure our green spaces continue to benefit residents across St Helens Borough for many years to come."

The next steps will be discussed by councillors at Cabinet on Wednesday 18 November. To find out more and view the meeting online visit: Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 18th November, 2026, 4.00 pm St Helens Borough Council