AMBITIOUS plans to create a Halton Healthy New Town in Runcorn are being revealed in more detail.

Halton Lea has been chosen by NHS England as one of only 10 places in the UK for major regeneration centred round health and wellbeing.

Residents can have their say on the latest proposals for a masterplan at a drop in session at Runcorn Shopping City on Monday, April 16, from 11am to 6pm.

London-based Citiesmode won a global design challenge in August 2017 to interpret the novel ideas.

Citiesmode’s winning design called Halton Connected will see a range of ideas go into development to help residents at all stages of their lives.

Their innovative plans include:

• Downloadable apps that reward walking with discounts at local shops.

• An urban obstacle course connecting public gym equipment and sprinting tracks marked out on safe pavements.

• A community kitchen that provides food to schools, hospitals and meals on wheels as well as running healthy cooking lessons for residents.

• Developers providing new houses and flats with free bikes to cut car use and promote cycling.

• Universal wifi so residents can get in touch with health services from home and make the most of new technology such as online GP consultations which NHS England is backing to the tune of £45 million.

Converting a car park into a new community square and outdoor cinema is among the suggestions.

The vision aims to create new communities that will prevent illness, reduce social isolation and promote independence.

Health chiefs are confident the project will tackle obesity and dementia.

The programme hopes to unite clinicians, designers, technology experts to revitalise healthcare.

Architects will be challenged to design special features to put health at the heart of their plans.

Lindsay Whitley, associate director at professional services firm WYG, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to re-connect planning and urban design with the health agenda, creating a place where people can engage in healthy lifestyles through everyday life.

"We’re proud to be facilitating an environment where this change can occur."

WYG, in collaboration with property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton, have been developing the masterplan on behalf of Halton Council to encourage key landowners and stakeholders to support town growth and set expectations.

The scheme identifies opportunities linked to the proposed new Halton Hospital and Wellbeing Campus, which failed to win a £40 million funding bid from the government.

Potential new development sites will also be unveiled.

Transport and how residents, workers and visitors can move around has also been considered.

Two masterplan workshops have been held with stakeholders to discuss how the plans have been progressing.