Leading Liverpool property developer, Ion, in collaboration with Bellway Homes and the Knowsley Estate has secured planning permission on the 22-hectare Earlsfield Park development that will bring new employment and homes to North Huyton. The well-located site sits close to Junction 2 of the M57, directly south of the Knowsley Estate and is set to provide 16 ha of employment park and a housing development of 154 new homes.

The ambitious development is proposed to sit adjacent to the existing Lord Derby Playing Fields and Oak Plantation – which will see sports facilities and open space upgraded using a significant S106 contribution to the Council. There will also be a retail and leisure offering in the form of a pub/ restaurant, petrol station and a hotel. The site will be fronted by high quality landscaping and a new combined 3-km pedestrian and cycle route.

The employment park is to be pitched as a ground breaking ‘hybrid’ model where the demand for high-quality advanced manufacturing research and development facilities and sub-regional logistics business space can be fulfilled alongside more traditional office and workshop spaces, encircled within a semi-rural parkland setting.

The development has the potential to create over 650 jobs to the local economy, as well as over 800 construction jobs.

Steve Parry, managing director of Ion Development said: ‘We are delighted to secure planning permission on the Earlsfield Park development and look forward to seeing it take shape. Earlsfield Park will be instrumental in supporting the region’s ambition to grow our technology and manufacturing base and provide a high-quality environment that can support science, technology and advanced manufacturing.’

He added: ‘The location of the development provides brilliant accessibility and the flexibility of the site means it can cater for the specific demands of anything from manufacturing and laboratories to small start-ups and the corporate HQ’s of global businesses.’

Simon Waller, managing director of Stanley Estates said: ‘The Estate has been working hard with Ion and their development partners together with the local community and Knowsley Council to secure planning permission on this mixed residential and employment site that was identified as a sustainable urban extension in the Local Plan which will deliver quality residential properties and employment in the local area. We are delighted that the Council has granted consent for this site and we are keen for the development to be delivered quickly now that consent is secured.’

Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Tony Brennan said: ‘This development of high quality new homes and employment opportunities will not only contribute towards the council’s ambitious growth plans for Knowsley, but it will also contribute towards the economic growth of the Liverpool City Region.

He added: ‘Earlsfield Park will become an attractive location for both businesses and families who are looking for a high-quality accommodation in appealing surroundings.’