Peel Land has launched a public consultation for Haydock Point, a 1.3 million sq ft 'strategic employment destination' on former green belt land near Haydock Park racecourse. The development, between Wigan and St Helens, promises up to 1,845 'higher-value and skilled jobs', improvements to M6 Junction 23 Haydock Island, and significant investment.
Key features of the proposal
The site is located north east of M6 J23 Haydock Island and south of Haydock Park racecourse. Peel's vision is to create a 'modern, high-quality, leading-edge manufacturing and employment campus in one of the region's best-connected employment locations'.
Plans include a multi-fuel HGV hub to address HGV parking issues and a lack of quality facilities for drivers. The proposal also includes significant new landscaping and wildlife areas equivalent to more than 17 football pitches, over 600 new trees, and new walking, running, and recreational trails, including a fitness loop of more than 1.6km.
Road changes and economic impact
As part of the project, the northern arm of the A49 will be closed, with that route diverted through the site to the A580 East Lancashire Road, to address highways capacity at M6 Junction 23 and improve journey times.
Peel projects Haydock Point will create 1,845 on-site jobs across manufacturing, industrial, logistics, and commercial roles, contributing around £76 million to the economy. Dedicated and secure HGV parking would serve occupiers and be available as a shared asset for local businesses and public services.
Consultation and next steps
The site was removed from the green belt in the St Helens local plan adopted in 2022. Peel says the project is being brought forward now 'to meet current needs, deliver major socio-economic benefits and avoid the risk of losing businesses and jobs to other areas'.
Stephen Wild, managing director of Peel Land Group, said: "Haydock Point will bring long-lasting benefits for the community. The need and demand are here now to bring forward a modern sustainable employment campus that can meet the requirements of growing local firms and major occupiers."
Consultation is open until Sunday, September 13. A public drop-in event will take place on Wednesday, September 2 at the Mercure Hotel, Haydock, from 3pm to 7pm. Following consultation, Peel Land will submit an outline planning application to St Helens council later this year.
