MP supports mega logistics scheme

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE SCHEME known as Intermodal Logistics Park North (ILPN) will see the redevelopment of the former Parkside colliery in St Helens.

Logistics Matters reported on the details of the proposals following an Environmental Impact Assessment request to Warrington Council in November last year.

These outlined proposals for some 500-acres include the 221-acre Parkside East site originally promoted by developer iSec, which Tritax acquired in 2023 for an undisclosed sum.

They envision a rail freight terminal serving up to 16 trains per day, including ancillary development as well up to 8.2 million ft2 of warehousing in a mixture of rail-connected, rail served and additional units.

Tritax has recently launched a non statutory public consultation running to 21^st March 2025. The scheme will go through the brought forward through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) planning process as it meets the criteria set out by government to allow any planning application to be considered to be so big and nationally important that permission to build them needs to be given at a national rather than regional or local level.

The project will be part of the Liverpool City Region Freeport, and is expected to provide up to 6,000 jobs.

In local reports Baines said that the creation of a rail freight development had long been  sought: "Labour have recognised this potential for a long time and that's why we've worked so hard for so many years to transform this former colliery site.

"We've delivered the new Link Road and now we're working to bring a strategic rail freight interchange to Parkside East."

Baines joins Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram, and St Helens Council Leader of Councillor Anthony Burns, in supporting the scheme which is seen as critical tor the success of the freeport.

Tritax Big Box Developments Head of Manchester David Travis said: “The development of an SRFI at this location is an integral part of Liverpool City Region’s Freeport and is aligned with the UK Government’s target to increase rail freight by at least 75% by 2050; with potential to deliver a scheme of local, regional and national importance.

“We are committed to working with the local community and other stakeholders to inform the quality and design of the project as we go through the various stages of the consenting process and look forward to commencing our initial engagement with them over the coming weeks.”

It has been mooted that the Freightliner rail terminal at Old Trafford might be moved to ILP North freeing up the site around the Old Trafford Stadium for the development of up to 20,000 new homes. 

Tritax Big Box is committed to the North west with several schemes and assets in the region including  a site in Wigan that could accommodate up to 1.3 million ft2 of industrial and logistics space and its recent £75 million acquisition of the 650,000 ft2 Sainsbury’s distribution centre in Haydock in an off market deal advised by Colliers.