CGI of the proposed facility THE plans for a pioneering £54million glass research and innovation facility in St Helens have been unanimously approved by the council. The planning application was prepared and submitted by developer and landowner Network Space, on behalf of not-for-profit research and technology organisation Glass Futures, to build the 160,000 sq ft Global Centre of Excellence at the former United Glass site in Peasley Cross. The planning consent confirms the delivery of the state-of-the-art facility, together with what will be the world’s first openly accessible test and trial furnace operation, to St Helens. The facility will be used to deliver industry and government backed R&D projects focused on decarbonising glass production and will also provide a platform for industry to test and trial their own commercial ideas on a state-of-the-art line, both collaboratively and individually.
Haydock Park will see crowds return HAYDOCK Park racecourse boss Dickon White says the venue is excited to have spectators back as the racecourse welcomes crowds today (Friday) for the first time this year. Jockey Club Racecourses North West regional director Dickon White admits it has been a tough time over the past year for the venue, and for racing. “It has been a challenging 12 months, we’ve been through a rollercoaster of emotions,” he said to the Star. “Obviously we went into lockdown in March last year and didn’t stage any race days. “Since June we’ve been staging race days behind closed doors and we did run one day pre-Christmas when we had a limited number of spectators.
Vision for new sports centre and elite training base for St Helens rugby league
Saints chief executive Mike Rush (centre), with Councillor Anthony Burns (left) and Leader of St Helens Council David Baines PLANS to explore the potential of a ground-up redevelopment of a swimming and fitness site and the creation of an elite sports training venue with Saints have been set out by the council. St Helens Borough Council says it is keen to explore how the ageing Parr Swimming and Fitness centre – which was forced to close its pools in November 2019 due to structural issues – could be replaced.
Saints supporters advised to take Covid test for Monday s game SAINTS supporters getting ready for their return to The Totally Wicked Stadium for Monday s game with Salford are being urged to add a symptom free test to their pre and post-match routines. 4,000 supporters, who have been successful in the ballot, will be allowed into the stadium for the first time since March 2020. Symptom free testing helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as some people with the virus don’t get symptoms but can still spread it to others. St Helens Council have advised anyone self-isolating for whatever reason, should not attend the match.
A GYM which submitted plans to relocate to a former milk factory due to a lack of car park access at its current premises has been given permission to make the move. Evolution Gym sent in plans to St Helens Council to convert the building on Duncan Street, near the town centre.
Evolution Gym is relocating Plans said the gym had to move from its current base at the junction of North Road and Duke Street due to no longer having access to a communal car park and that it risked losing members if it does not relocate. A design and access statement in the plans says: The building was originally to operate as a dairy factory, and it thought to have changed its use throughout the years, its most recent use was a car garage - The Renault Man .