Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board endorses four projects for more than £1.5million Plan for Neighbourhoods funding

Article date: 12 February 2026

The endorsement comes following submission of the Regeneration Plan and 4-Year Investment Plan, which identify priority investment themes, to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's (MHCLG) in November 2025.  

An extensive public consultation in 2025, identified Regeneration, High Streets, and Heritage as the top priority investment theme with 20% of the public vote. The Neighbourhood Board, which includes residents, business and community leaders, assessed a shortlist of projects, which are deliverable within the first 12 months of funding availability and align to consultation outcomes.  

Following assessment three projects have been chosen by the Board to take forward in Year 1:  

• St Johns Playground - £203,000 for the installation of a new playground at St Johns Park in Earlestown to replace existing equipment and create an inclusive, fully accessible recreation space for young people in the heart of the community.  
• Earlestown Town Hall AV and Lighting - £134,000 for the installation of professional, high-quality Audio-Visual and lighting infrastructure in the main hall of Earlestown Town Hall to add further functionality and community uses beyond the restoration of the historic building into a flexible, multi-use space for the community. 
• Arts on Prescription - £24,000 for a programme of arts and creative workshops for adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression, providing a creative route to wellbeing based at Newton Library.  

The Year 1 allocation of Plan for Neighbourhoods funding will become available in April 2026 with projects expected to commence from receipt, with delivery ongoing until March 2027.  

In addition, the Board has endorsed a £1.2million investment in a heritage focused Building Improvement Scheme for Earlestown town centre to enable independent businesses and building owners within the priority area of the conservation area boundary to apply for grant funding to improve shop frontages and undertake physical improvements to buildings. A full long-term vision strategy will be developed in Year 1 from April 2026 to March 2027 with the scheme expected to open for delivery from the Year 2 funding allocation in April 2027.  

Chris Hickey, chair of the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board said: "As a Board we are determined for the Plan for Neighbourhoods funding to have a real impact on the people of Newton-le-Willows and these early delivery projects demonstrate our commitment to delivering high quality schemes that will benefit residents and businesses in our town. I'd like to thank all of the Neighbourhood Board members for their hard work and input in getting us to the point of delivery, this is just the start of our ambitions, there is more to come for our area over the next decade."  

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council said: "Residents of Newton-le-Willows helped to shape the Regeneration Plans by sharing their feedback during the consultation period and these projects endorsed by the Neighbourhood Board demonstrate that their voices have been listened to. Over the next decade of the Plan for Neighbourhoods funding we want to ensure that all areas of Newton-le-Willows benefit from community focused projects such as these, this is just the beginning of our plans and I am excited to see them get underway."  

David Baines MP, Member of Parliament for St Helens North said: "The £20million Plan for Neighbourhoods funding is an opportunity to deliver meaningful change for residents and It is fantastic to see the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board moving forward with their ambitious plans for the area. "  

The proposals will now be submitted through St Helens Borough Council's approval process, including Cabinet on 18 March 2026 as the fund's accountable body before activity commences in April 2026.