ST HELENS Council has approved a bid by National Power to carry out a five-year regeneration plan of the former Bold Power Station site which is expected to create the space for up to 500 new houses.

The land has lain derelict since the power station was demolished in the early 1990s but this new scheme, which has been designed and managed by the Liverpool-based planning and design consultancy, Cass Associates, will see the 34-hectare site completely re-developed. By its estimated completion date in 2002, the land is expected to comprise 16 hectares suitable for building houses on, 17 hectares of green space public land and one hectare for community facilities.

In addition to the council, Cass also have the backing of local conservationist group, Groundwork St Helens who initiated the green space programme to coincide with their own environmental work on the nearby Bold Moss site. The scheme will include woodland tree planting as part of the Wasteland to Woodland initiative and a large water feature.

Paul Dempster, from Cass Associates, told the Star: "We have now been given the go-ahead to carry out immediate remediation and infrastructure works on the site which will be the first phase of the re-development. The complete cost of the entire operation is unknown as of yet but we have already applied for a grant from the English Partnerships group to continue the work.

"When completed, we hope to provide a residential area which could accommodate a range of housing types, developed green space land for public use, and a community area which will include a neighbourhood shop, and a restaurant/public house."

A council spokesman said: "This is another major development which keeps St Helens in the forefront in attracting jobs and new opportunities. In addition, we have also given great importance to the environmental aspect."

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