Dramatic proposals for the £60m rebuild of part of Runcorn have been unveiled.
Riverside housing has launched public consultation over the plans, which would involve the overhaul of Palacefields and Hallwood Park in Halton Lea.
This is expected to involve a rebuild of Palacefields local centre with further "significant change" for The Uplands on the cards. Preliminary designs shared with the ECHO suggested the work is likely to involve rebuilding The Uplands, with one artist's impression showing a mix of housing styles including three-storey and a reconfigured layout.
READ MORE: Country home for sale after family renovate it for 44 years
Images of the proposed redeveloped local centre showed gardens, three-storey homes, flats with balconies above the shops, and a teasing outer corner of the former Tricorn pub. The pictures also showed substantial greenery including trees and hedges.
Riverside is to canvass 2,500 residents via post and information packs, appointments and drop-in sessions for their thoughts on the scheme.
Focus groups are also to take place, with more than 300 households in key locations to be invited to discuss improvements around the local centre and The Uplands.
The ECHO previously revealed in early 2019 how the housing association was looking at spending £20m in Halton Lea ward.
That figure has tripled.
Riverside, which owns much of the property in the area, said it has been consulting for more than three years with residents, Halton Borough Council, MPs, councillors, neighbourhood groups and community organisations on what the future of the area should look like.
A Riverside spokesman said the £60m scheme will take around 10 years to complete.
It is expected to need about £30m of public money, with funding bids in development and some nearing completion.
Riverside said residents said they wanted: better housing and local centre, a safer neighbourhood, better and safer travel, community activities, and climate-focused projects.
The spokesman said feedback has been coming through “loud and clear”, and the homes group has worked with architects, engineers and Halton Council, to start to design a scheme to achieve that vision.
He said the local centre and The Uplands would receive “significant change and investment” under the proposals alongside other projects.
Wider initiatives are expected to include community projects, landscaping improvements and energy-efficient projects.
Riverside said it was important to stress the plans are “first stage proposals” and could change pending feedback.
Andrea Thorn, Riverside’s director of homes and communities, said: “This is an exciting time for Hallwood Park and Palacefields and a once in a lifetime opportunity for the area to get the regeneration support it needs.
“However, we appreciate it may also be an uncertain and worrying time for some households who may be concerned at how change will affect them and their living circumstances.
“Through this consultation exercise, we want to explain to the community how we think we could change the physical landscape of the area for the better and get their views.
“Please be assured that Riverside has over 90 years of experience in revitalising neighbourhoods and will support residents throughout the process.
“It’s important to remember this is a first stage proposal and not set in stone; we’re very much open to feedback and change if the community feels the initial proposals don’t work for them.”
Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, which covers Halton Lea, said: “I’m delighted to see the emerging proposals from Riverside to regenerate parts of Halton Lea.
“From shaping a new local centre that would create a much-needed heart of the community, to improving greenspace and designing local projects, the proposals will strengthen the neighbourhoods for the future.
“Offering a variety of housing options including shared ownership, that have long been missing in this area, will also enable existing residents to thrive and could attract new residents to ensure a sustainable community in the long term.”
Palacefields, also spelt in places as Palace Fields, was built as part of the Runcorn New Town in the mid-20th century.
Hallwood Park stands on the site of what was the brutalist Southgate estate, known for its bizarre design by James Sterling and which was ultimately bulldozed to make way for more conventional housing.
Consultation details are available online at riverside.org.uk/haltonlea
Receive our weekly Runcorn and Widnes newsletter and breaking news email alerts by signing up here.
READ NEXT:
Teen cyclist taken to hospital in 'serious' condition after car crash
NCP car park 'chaos' as '200' drivers stuck in city centre
Girl, 16, one of six arrested after hand grenade found in house
Claim your FREE National Trust Family Day Pass - 70,000 to give away!
Mum 'speechless' after friend asked her to split cost of £92 takeaway
