Planning approved for new life sciences hub in St Helens

St Helens Borough Council has granted full planning permission for Project Halo, a new life sciences and advanced manufacturing development on the St Helens Manufacturing and Innovation Campus. The scheme will deliver 85,000 sq ft of high-specification workspace across four flexible 'Tech Box' units.

Designed to accommodate research-led occupiers, light industrial firms, and science-based businesses, the project is part of the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Investment Zone. It is expected to support high-value job creation, stimulate inward investment, and bolster local supply chains.

The development, which will be delivered by Network Space on behalf of the council, will be located on a five-acre brownfield site off Roby Way. It sits adjacent to the Glass Futures Centre of Excellence and SINA Medical, offering proximity to established R&D and manufacturing ecosystems. The site has already been prepared with extensive enabling works, including land remediation and new road infrastructure.

The workspace units will be suitable for a range of uses, including light manufacturing (B2), distribution (B8), and office and R&D functions (E(g)). Layouts will be adaptable for laboratories, offices, and production areas, offering a flexible base for tenants.

Sustainability is a core feature of the project. The buildings are targeting BREEAM Outstanding accreditation and will incorporate energy-efficient systems such as air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, EV charging stations, and secure cycle parking. A landscaped, campus-style setting is also planned to enhance wellbeing and collaboration.

Occupiers within the designated Investment Zone will benefit from a suite of fiscal incentives. These include full stamp duty relief, five years of business rates relief for qualifying businesses, enhanced capital allowances, and employer national insurance relief.

Joe Burnett, Development Director at Network Space, said the scheme will deliver high-quality workspace aimed at boosting productivity in the science and manufacturing sectors. "Its proximity to Glass Futures and other innovation assets will support collaboration and long-term sustainable growth," he added.

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said the approval marks a milestone in the borough’s ambition to become a hub for life sciences. "Ambitious developments such as this offer real opportunities for the residents of our borough, bringing high-value jobs and apprenticeships," he said.

Project Halo is expected to begin construction in spring 2026. The design and delivery team includes AEW Architects, GWB Consultants, Stantec, Kaizen Consulting Engineers, Spawforths, and IMT Consulting.