Surrounding the complex on land around Mill Street, Crab Street, and grounds behind Lowe House Church could possibly be new housing, shopping, leisure zones and a hotel.

The project will see St Helens Primary Care Trust's working with Knowsley, Halton and Warrington trusts through the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust.

Through the LIFT scheme the Primary Care Trusts are establishing a public and private partnership with The William Pears Group. This partnership will work closely with the council, the ambulance service, and regeneration agencies.

The health complex itself, which could cost in the region of �6million, would replace the Atherton Street-based Lingholme Health centre, but built on a new site. Full services it would offer have yet to be decided on, but the PCT are understood to have asked several GPs to set up base there, while physiotherapists, and medical specialists are likely to be housed in the building.

Regeneration agency, Ravenhead Renaissance, and St Helens Council will look to secure grants that can be invested into the area.

Neil Grice, director of the LIFT project, said the development would be on a similar scale to the ongoing project to regenerate the George Street quarter of St Helens, while offering much improved health services.

He said: "We are confident that together we will be able to deliver new and integrated health and social care services that will be of tremendous benefit to the communities."

Nora Giubertoni, chair of St Helens Primary Care Trust, said the venture would bring a big tonic to health services and the Duke Street approach to town.

She said: "I have lived in St Helens all my life and remember walking along Duke Street going to Cowley Girls School.

"I am so heartened to see how the area of the town is going to be lifted by the LIFT project. This is a first class opportunity to improve health facilities and improve the area. The Duke Street approach doesn't give a good impression driving into town. This will be a new gateway."