DOZENS of council houses are in the pipeline as part of a new development set for Winsford.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is working with utilities firm Engie to redevelop vacant land between Bostock Road, Smokehall Lane and Deakins Road.

A total of 139 properties could be built on the site – with the current proposal including 42 council houses, in addition to 60 affordable homes.

The development would include a ‘mix of family homes and cottage style apartments’, according to Engie, while an area of public open space would also feature for both new and existing residents to enjoy.

In a notice sent out to neighbouring residents last week, Engie said: “The proposed development will see the site – which has been identified in the neighbourhood plan for redevelopment – brought back into use for much needed residential properties, and bring investment and job creation to the area during the construction period.”

A formal planning application is yet to be submitted for the scheme, but details on the project were revealed at a consultation event at Winsford Library last Thursday for neighbouring residents.

And many took the opportunity to make comments on how the development could affect the area.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Labour CWAC member for Winsford Wharton, said: “The reality is that we need more houses. This scheme isn’t perfect yet, but it does provide good housing.

Northwich Guardian:

“It is the type of housing that we need – so people who might otherwise struggle are able to get on the housing ladder – the site is earmarked for development in the neighbourhood plan, and it would bring money back to CWAC through council tax.

“There were a few concerns about the access towards Wharton Bridge – that can be looked at when the scheme goes through planning, but for me there are lots of positives.

“Some people are anti-housing, and some think that the housing will come at the expense of the town centre regeneration, but it is not a case of either-or – both are happening.”

Winsfordians will get a chance to comment on the scheme once a planning application has been submitted.

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For more information about the scheme email Ryan James, development manager at Engie, on ryan.james@engie.com