St Helens is set to undergo a significant transformation as plans for a vibrant mixed-use development on the former Pilkington UK’s ‘s Watson Street Works site have been approved.
This marks a pivotal moment in the town’s regeneration efforts, leveraging a prime brownfield location for a sustainable and economically impactful future.
The approved masterplan envisions a dynamic community encompassing approximately 764 new homes and 150,000 square feet of commercial development, including supporting retail and leisure facilities. Central to the development’s appeal will be a commitment to creating an engaging public realm, incorporating extensive, high-quality landscaping and thoughtfully integrating existing non-designated heritage assets into the overall design.
This redevelopment is made possible by Pilkington UK’s substantial investment to consolidate its production and workforce at the adjacent Greengate Works site. This strategic move, representing one of the company’s largest UK investments in decades, unlocks the potential of the Watson Street Works for a new chapter in its history. 
Lisa Harris, Executive Director for Place Services at St Helens Borough Council, emphasized the significance of the project, stating that the masterplan will “bring the site of the former Watson Street Works back to life, continuing nearly 200 years of pioneering activity by providing exciting new regeneration opportunities for developers whilst preserving historic features on the site.”
The project’s location, situated on expansive brownfield land near St Helens town centre, further amplifies its strategic importance. It complements the St Helens Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, which already houses leading organizations like Glass Futures, SINA Medical Glass, and Inovus Medical, solidifying St Helens as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing.
With Pilkington slated to vacate the site in April 2025, anticipation is building for the commencement of this ambitious project. The planned development promises not only to provide much-needed housing and commercial space but also to revitalize the area and contribute significantly to the economic vibrancy of St Helens. The conversion from a single-purpose glass manufacturing site to a multifaceted, integrated community represents a bold step towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for the town.
Source: Pilkington UK’s with additional information added by GlassBakan
