Decision looms for 545-home mixed-use Runcorn masterplan

Two sites comprising 57 acres, at Heath Business and Technical Park and land north of Heath Road South, are earmarked for a major development to go before planners this month.

SOG Group is behind the outline scheme which proposes 545 homes, a hotel, senior living and extra care facilities, flexible floorspace for offices, a conference centre, plus retail and leisure units which include food and drink outlets.

The Heath Park scheme, described in the planning statement as a ‘high quality urban village’ similar to the Wirral’s Port Sunlight as designed to be somewhere people can ‘live, work and play’, will go before Halton Council’s development management committee on Monday 20 May.

It has been recommended for approval subject to a raft of conditions and S106 agreements including transport, junction, and recreation improvements, despite close to 800 objections being lodged.

A planning officer report states the benefit of diversifying the existing site with its potential for regeneration and sustainability outweighs any harms. The report can be read here.

Located on a brownfield site was formerly home to the HQ of ICI until the 1990’s, according to the developer this scheme could help bring an ‘economically active population’ to Runcorn and an investment boost, as well creating more employment opportunities.

SOG has indicated the housing mix will range from one- to four-bed properties, although details of specific types will be submitted at the reserved matters stage. Of these homes, 25 per cent will be classed as affordable.

The project team includes WSP, Amenity Tree, Greengage, ESG, EcoResponsive Environments, RAS, and LK Group,

To view the plans, search for reference number 22/00569/OUT on Halton Council’s planning portal.