Halton Borough Council is delighted to announce that experienced development partner Cityheart Limited has been appointed to work with the Council on the Foundry Lane residential regeneration project in Halebank, Widnes.Following the granting of Outline Planning permission on February 1 in relation to the first phase of the project of 86 new homes on the former Stobart offices and Tarmac site, progress will now be made to transform the under-used industrial area in Foundry Lane into a new, vibrant, modern affordable housing estate. A second phase of the project will then result in a further 250+ homes.

Cheshire based Cityheart has an excellent reputation in working with the public sector to deliver high quality, value for money schemes.

Commenting on the project, the Council’s Executive Board Member for the Physical Environment, Cllr Ron Hignett, says: “This important regeneration project will breathe new life into the area, and build on the existing strong local sense of community and neighbourhood. The project will be challenging – for example there are real issues such as contaminated land and flood risk to be dealt with – but this represents an exciting opportunity to improve an area that has been in need of regeneration for many years now.”

Mark McNamee, Managing Director at Cityheart, said: “It is fantastic to have been chosen by the Council as its partner and to be working in Halton and the Liverpool City Region again. Cityheart has a successful 15 year track record of working with the public sector on placemaking and re purposing schemes all over the country.

“This is a significant project for the region, providing a much needed and affordable new residential district which can act as a catalyst for further investment in the area. Cityheart will now work with the Council and architect, Corstorphine + Wright, to draw up plans for the second phase, which has a project value of up to £50 million and will see a further 274 homes being built.”

A detailed Masterplan can now be drawn up and shared, in order for this area to realise its full potential over the next five years. The Masterplan is expected to be available later in the year