Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council yesterday agreed to press ahead with the ambitious vision for Huyton, giving the green light to the necessary site demolition and enabling works.

The council approved the release of the funds needed to progress to planning for Phase 1 of the transformational scheme.

Phase one, now branded as St Michael’s Place, will be anchored by a new 85,000 sq ft council HQ along with 72 flats, a 130-bed hotel, a 3.3-acre village green.

Council to spend £3.6m to get the plans off the ground

The high street would benefit from a new community hub, including a library, community facilities and spaces for leisure, skills and cultural activities.

A new surface car park would replace the current multi-storey car park. It will cost an estimated £107m to deliver.

Part of the Council’s 10-year town centre development proposals for the seven-acre plot include a new council headquarters, housing, a hotel, and new public realm including a village green.

Mike Smith, director at Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, said: “Together with Knowsley Council,  we are dedicated to delivering a vibrant new hub for Huyton with St Michael’s Place and are looking forward to getting started. This key funding approval to planning demonstrates our partnership’s commitment to this bold and forward-thinking reimagining of the town centre.”

Later phases include a further 300+ homes and 150,000 sqft of commercial office space, all helping to increase footfall in the town centre.

Council officers have now been tasked with securing the funding needed to deliver the plans in full – with a further update expected to be brought back before councillors by autumn next year.

An initial investment of £3.6m will progress the development opportunity to technical design and planning stage, which is essential in efforts to secure funding and investment to deliver the scheme.