A POST-WAR town is set to undergo a major revamp as masterplan details are revealed.
The area, which was dubbed the UK’s “worst new town” will see a £150 million invested over the next decade.
West Lancashire Borough CouncilThe masterplan for the £150 regeneration of Skelmersdale town centre has been revealed[/caption]
AlamySkelmersdale will see a decade of revamp works carried out as part of the project (stock image)[/caption]
The west Lancashire town will see 400 new homes built as plans are officially approved.
Skelmersdale was first established in 1961 as a second generation new town.
While it was originally a small mining village, it was regenerated to tackle housing shortages in the area.
Today is has a population of approximately 37,000 but has a complicated reputation.
A YouTube documentary described the area as “Lancashire’s forgotten town” and Britain’s “worst new town”.
However, earlier this year a hefty investment into the area was officially approved, with extensive plans confirmed for the town.
Materplan details
The project, which will be carried out by the West Lancashire Borough Council, includes numerous sites in Skelmersdale town centre.
This will include a leisure hub, and 28,000 square feet of commercial units and restaurants along a new high street.
The extensive plans were approved in May, 2025 after a six-week consultation.
Additional changes were proposed, including improved accessibility and transport links in the area.
West Lancashire Borough Councillor Melissa Parlour described the project as “a realistic and deliverable plan that puts residents’ priorities at the centre”.
She added that the project was a response to “what we’ve heard from the community”.
Tawd Valley Developments Limited will lead the redevelopment project.
The council confirmed more details about the scheme “will emerge over time”.
They added that the project is expected to take between 10 to 15 years.
Masterplan details
400 new homes planned for Glenburn site.
New high street with 28,000 square feet of commercial units.
New wellbeing and leisure hub.
Refurbishment of amphitheatre and modernisation of library.
Relocation of bus station.
Upgrades to public spaces, including Tawd Valley Park.
A hanful of changes have been made to the plan since it was first unveiled, including the relocation of the concourse bus station to street-level.
There will also be an increase in the amount invested in Tawd Valley Park.
A new wellbeing and wellness hub is also included in the masterplan for the town.
One version of the proposal includes the refurbishment of the town’s amphitheatre and the modernisation of the local library.
Local concerns
Concerns were also raised in the consultation about the affect of the new homes on the capacity of schools, healthcare sites, and transport.
A total of 400 new homes are expected to be constructed as part of the masterplan.
As a result, planners agreed the project will be delivered in phases, with the building of new homes to come alongside efforts to avoid placing undue pressure on local services.
More on UK towns
Meanwhile, a huge £450 million new town is coming to the UK with 4,500 homes, shops, parks, and sport pitches.
Plus, plans have been unveiled for 4,000 homes, new shops, and a hotel at a new £2.5 billion town located next to major motorway.
A popular English seaside town is set to get a new “creative quarter” and beachfront cafe as part of a £22 million upgrade.
And a new town the size of 52 football pitches with shops, 13,000 homes, and its own tram network is also coming to the UK.
Plus, we previously revealed a map of the 12 new towns coming to England under a £48 billion scheme.
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