Knowsley Council has approved a major housing development in Kirkby, giving the green light to 800 new energy-efficient homes in the town's centre.

The decision also secures £7.7 million in Section 106 contributions from developer Barratt David Wilson Homes, further boosting local investment.

The development, located on land south of Cherryfield Drive, will feature a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom homes, along with 10 bungalows and apartments. Each home will be equipped with electric vehicle charging points, ensuring sustainable living options for future residents.

A diverse range of housing will be provided to meet various needs, including 80 affordable homes tailored for single households, multi-generational families, first-time buyers, downsizers, and older residents. The project aims to address the growing demand for homes in Knowsley and the wider City Region, enhancing the town’s residential offering and supporting local regeneration efforts.

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In addition, thanks to £7.7m of Section 106 developer contributions secured, the development will also result in the following investments:

• £4.4 million to increase secondary school places in Kirkby

• £2 million for improvements to public open space and sports facilities

• £817,000 to provide additional GP capacity in Kirkby

• £462,000 for off-site tree planting to mitigate any losses during development

In addition, during the construction phase, 196 jobs will be created.

Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "This is a great opportunity for Kirkby to further build on its economic growth in recent years. The proposals will provide more much needed new homes to meet the rising demand we are seeing and targets we are being set nationally to tackle the housing crisis.

"Fundamentally though, this development is more than just new homes, it’s another key part of our regeneration vision for Kirkby. The plans will bring high quality homes into the town and more people into the town centre – which can only be a good thing for local businesses and for future investment that we all want to see.

"Importantly this development will also contribute positively to the local area, bringing major investment through £7.7m of section 106 funding for the benefit of all residents."

The brownfield land to the South of Cherryfield Drive has been earmarked for development for many years. The site was identified in the Council’s Housing Land Disposal Programme to meet housing demand.