The project, which is being led and delivered by developers Langtree in partnership with St. Helens RLFC and St Helens Council aims to create a new stadium for the St Helens Rugby League team on the town's former United Glass site.

Development of the brownfield site was given the go-ahead in July when the government decided not to call in the £25m project, which also includes a 13, 025 sq m Tesco store and housing.

John Downes, managing director of Langtree, said:
". Public sector funding will help to prepare the site for development, ultimately paving the way for one of the biggest regeneration projects to be witnessed by St Helens in recent years."