Press Release

£4.9 million grant for rugby stadium development

Wednesday, August 6 2008

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce that a £4.9 million investment has been approved for site remediation works around the development of a new stadium for St Helens Rugby League Football Club (RLFC).

The stadium project is being led and delivered by developers Langtree in partnership with St. Helens RLFC and St Helens Council. It aims to create a new 18,000 capacity stadium for the St Helens Rugby League team, capable of hosting rugby league of regional, national and international significance. It will also play host to other major events and conferences.

The NWDA's grant is specifically being allocated for the remediation and site preparation of the former United Glass site in St Helens. The project also includes a package of infrastructure works including off site road works, landscaping and public realm works.

The Agency's funding will spearhead the reclamation of 11.5 hectares of brownfield land and is expected to lever in over £57 million from the private sector. 

Following the completion of the site remediation and preparation works, the site development will involve the construction of the new stadium and a 13,025 sq m supermarket. A new access road will be constructed off the A570 which will run through the centre of the site and a new pedestrian plaza within the site will also be created.

Peter White, NWDA Executive Director of Infrastructure, said: "The Agency's investment will take forward vital site preparation works to enable the Destination St Helens project to get off the ground, which will provide an important boost to the local economy.

"The new stadium will provide a state of the art facility for St Helens RLFC as well as creating a venue capable of hosting major events, and so will play an important part in bringing significant tourism and business investment into St Helens."

John Downes, Managing Director of Langtree, said: "Today's announcement is a major step forward in the life of this project. Public sector funding will help to prepare the site for development, ultimately paving the way for one of the biggest regeneration projects to be witnessed by St Helens in recent years."

Councillor Brian Spencer, Leader of St. Helens Council said: "This is marvellous news as this funding is another key element in the progress of the new stadium. The stadium and associated developments including additional retail offer in the town will bring massive benefits, not just to our borough but to the region in general bringing investment and jobs.  The Council is proud to be a key player in this exciting development and look forward to working with all the partners involved."