Regeneration plans for Newton-le-Willows have moved ahead after the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board formally endorsed the town's Regeneration Plan and 4-Year Investment Plan, paving the way to invest £20million secured in spring 2024 through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Plans for Neighbourhoods Programme.

Developed following extensive community consultation and informed by socio-economic data and strategic insights, the Plan outlines priorities for the next decade and sets out the first delivery phase running from April 2026 to March 2030.

For Period 1, three priority investment themes shaped by the public vote are: Regeneration, High Streets and Heritage (20% of the vote); Education and Opportunity (19.5%); and Health and Wellbeing (16.7%).

To further support community cohesion, the Board proposes creating a 'Community Pot' to fund capacity-building and social infrastructure projects via competitive grants, with an initial £250K earmarked for Period 1.

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The Plan will go to St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet on 19 November for approval as the accountable body, ahead of submission to MHCLG on 28 November 2025. If approved, funding and activity would begin in April 2026.

Chris Hickey, chair of the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board said: "This plan is a bold shared ambition for Newton-le-Willows, shaped not only by us as a Board but by the community who have fed into the robust consultation process. We will continue to work together with the Council, residents, business owners and wider stakeholders to deliver our vision of a thriving town that people are proud to call home."

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council said: "I'm delighted that the Neighbourhood Board has developed a future vision for Newton-le-Willows. It is crucial that the voices of our residents are listened to when we are looking to deliver change, and I have seen first-hand how these plans have been shaped extensively by the feedback we received during the consultation process. This is a big milestone, and I look forward to formally submitting our plans and delivering investment that makes a real difference to the people of Newton-le-Willows."

David Baines MP, Member of Parliament for St Helens North said: "The £20million Plan for Neighbourhoods funding has the potential to make meaningful, lasting change in the town. It is encouraging to see the ambitious proposals put forward for Newton-le-Willows endorsed by the Neighbourhood Board who will be vital in overseeing the delivery of the investment over the next decade."

The Regeneration Plan and 4-Year Investment Plan can be viewed in the published documents.