Distribution facilities developer Prologis has asked St Helens Borough Council to put its application to develop a major freight terminal at the former Parkside Colliery on hold until the end of the year pending consideration of its options.
The company submitted the plan for 700,000m² of distribution space on the 272ha site in 2006 but the company has decided to reconsider its plans in the light of prevailing economic circumstances.
"The viability of the project in its present configuration has to be balanced against today's market circumstances and in comparison with the marketplace when the project that was conceived over five years ago," said Prologis first vice president of development Simon Jenkins.
"Our intention has always been to develop an industry leading distribution facility led by a rail freight terminal with the potential of delivering thousands of jobs. We continue to work to achieve an end that is both commercially sound for Prologis and beneficial for the local community."
Bob Hepworth, the Council's director of urban regeneration and housing, said the Council had worked closely with the company on the application which was scheduled to go to committee in November.
But local objectors claimed the scheme would use some green belt land and argued it would be used for lorry based traffic thanks to a lack of rail pathways.
