Details have been unveiled of the ambitious plans for a £60m regeneration scheme set to convert part of Runcorn, an industrial town in Cheshire.
The Riverside Group, a social housing association, have published proposals for the regeneration of Hallwood Park and Palace Fields in Runcorn following three years of consultations with residents in September 2022 – following its success plans have been unveiled.
Ideas for transforming the town centre include demolishing 350 homes and building around 400 new properties – a mix of apartments and two, three and four bed houses and bungalows in the Local Centre and Uplands of Runcorn.
In addition to creating new homes, which came after locals claimed better housing choices were needed in the area, walking and cycling routes will be installed, veteran houses will be constructed and new local business space will be provided.
Founded in 1928, the social housing group have claimed the project will take 10 years to deliver and is expected to require around £30m of public funding, with some funding bids in development and some nearing completion.
Pending planning submission and approval, The Riverside Group believe work will commence in 2024 and have claimed the new homes will be prioritised for any residents who have relocated as part of the regeneration plan.
Nick Jones, Director of Development and Regeneration at Riverside, said: ‘Our intention is to create a high-quality neighbourhood for generations to come, so we want as much feedback as possible before submitting our planning application.
‘It’s important to stress that these are still only plans and show the vision of what we would like to deliver. Nothing is set in stone, so I would urge local people to come to our consultation events over February to see the draft plans and have their questions answered.’
Residents already living in the area have been invited to provide feedback on the proposed ideas, with a consultation launched yesterday and due to last until 22nd February.
Photo by Humphrey Muleba