MAJOR plans to build more than 100 new affordable homes, a veteran village and elderly living accommodation at Palace Fields in Runcorn has been given the green light.

Social housing provider Riverside submitted the ambitious plans to transform the site in Halton Lea and were unanimously backed by Halton’s Development Committee on Monday.

The approval of the plans will mean 26 homes will be demolished, as well as the current local centre.

This exciting development is just one half of Riverside’s wider £60m regeneration scheme, which will see the construction of 391 homes in Halton Lea.

Regeneration of the site will welcome 134 new homes, dedicated veterans housing and elderly care living, alongside a brand-new local centre, commercial units and a community café.

Nick Jones, director of development & growth at Riverside, said: “We’re delighted that planning permission has been granted for the first phase of our regeneration project in Halton Lea.

“The approval for the local centre is another major step forward in our ambitions to transform Runcorn and provide much needed high-quality affordable homes and spaces for local people to come together.”

The historic Hallwood Manor and Stone Barns (formerly known as the Tricorn Land) will be sensitively converted into 10 of the new homes, having fallen out of use in recent years.

Further plans will see open green spaces enhanced with a new play area and updated ready for families that the new housing will attract.

The Moat will also be revived – which stemmed from the numerous consultations held and will create places rich in biodiversity and a range of new habitats.

Within the works will be the closing of the current subway to make the crossing point level with the busway, with safer walking and cycling routes introduced to connect the shops to Palace Fields woodland and the wider neighbourhood.

Bethesda Church is also set to be demolished to make way for a brand-new church with multi-purpose spaces to provide flexible religious and community uses and a new secure garden space for outdoor activities.

The first phase of the plans are looking to be carried out in Winter 2024.

Compendium Living will be lead developers of the project and Lovell Partnerships will be the main contractor for the works.

This exciting development is just one half of Riverside’s wider £60m regeneration scheme, which will see the construction of 391 homes in Halton Lea.

Riverside is now set to submit proposals for The Uplands in the next month, which will see the housing association bring a further 247 new homes to the area on top of the 134 already approved.

With these, Riverside has once again offered a diverse mix of houses, apartments and bungalows, including four-bedroom properties, to match the housing need outlined by the community, alongside transformations to roads that aim to create a safer, more connected centre.

Mr Jones added: “We’re now looking forward to starting preparations for this first phase and applying for planning for The Uplands.

“As with the proposals for Palace Fields Local Centre, we’ve continued to heavily involve the community in helping us identify ways to develop the Uplands area.

“Once again, feedback has been very positive and useful in shaping what we hope to do, leading to facilities that local people want and need, such as an increased number of 3-bedroom bungalows and improved car parking.

“We’ll soon be inviting residents across the community to a series of engagement events scheduled for this Autumn, where they will be able to discuss next steps and meet the teams involved in regenerating the area. We hope you’ll be able to join us.”