OPINION: Investment and development will be crucial

Employment sites, housing developments, new roads and infrastructure will all be needed if St Helens is to thrive and move on from its industrial past.

A place with a healthy supply of well paid, skilled jobs and good housing will hopefully encourage more people to live here, more shops to open and the creation of more leisure venues and restaurants.

But development, particularly anything on a large scale, is often divisive and controversial.

We’ve already witnessed this over the past two years and there will be plenty of argument over the next decade as planning applications are drawn up.

What is essential is that St Helens Council has a balanced, sensible plan, that takes into account the views of the communities it serves.

The Local Plan, published by the council this week, as required by government, has been cautiously welcomed after a reduction in the amount of green belt land made available for development.

It is good to see that the local authority appears to be listening.

But time will tell whether it can drive forward with the brownfield first approach that is being championed by council leader Derek Long.

Remediating and regenerating land that is a legacy of the town’s industrial past is a sensible approach and would appear the most desirable plan to move St Helens forwards.

It is costly though and is also likely to prove very difficult. Ensuring developers, housebuilders and the government provide the funding that will underpin the vision is essential.

Len Saunders

The death of Len Saunders (pictured) – a much-loved character – caused immense sadness and illustrated the dreadful consequences of violence.

The fact the donation of his liver has saved the life of a mum – who was told she had just 24 hours to live – is of great comfort to Len’s family.

The words of her daughter: “Len Banana (as he was known) saved my mummy’s life” underlines the amazing effect of organ donation.