DEVELOPERS behind ambitious plans to turn the historic Vulcan Locomotive works into a major residential development are set to provide a glimpse at the possible future of Vulcan Village.

Blueprints to build more than 600 new homes have been submitted to St Helens Council by Key Property Investments, the joint venture between St Modwen Developments and Ashtenne Ltd.

The proposals will give the area around five times more housing than it currently supports as well as sporting facilities, shops and a doctors' surgery.

As reported in last week's Guardian, a public meeting will be held on Thursday to allow residents to view the plans and see pictures of the type of housing that is planned.

Ian Summersgill, of Ashtenne Ltd, said: "We hope the community of Newton-le-Willows will recognise the many benefits our proposal has to offer.

"These include the provision for new local commercial and community facilities to support both new and existing residents."

John Pearson, chairman of the Vulcan Sports Steering Group, said that he was pleased with the plans because they would provide a boost to that end of Newton.

Mr Pearson said: "I think people will be happy because it would provide sporting facilities to this part of the town that it has not had before.

"Vulcan has been a way of life for many years but I think people want to see it regenerated. We can only hope that the plans go through and that everything comes to fruition."

The public meeting will be held at St David's Social Centre on Thursday, December 11, from 4pm until 8pm.