Work starts on Philips factory homes

The owner of the Runcorn business park has spoken of its confidence in securing investment for its sweeping 57-acre redevelopment after a “mind-blowing” design won a RIBA competition.

There are always places and sectors that buck trends, even in challenging times, so which parts of the Liverpool city region’s economy are charging ahead, asked a Place North West event.

Southport-based developer 79th Homes has acquired the Art Deco former cinema on Park Road East for an undisclosed sum and plans to convert it into up to 30 apartments.

The housebuilder has lodged a planning application for the first phase of its proposed residential community on Green Belt land near St Helens, for 186 homes east of the site.

The regeneration specialist, with affordable housing provider Your Housing Group, will start construction of a £37m residential scheme on Whitefield Drive this month.

Housebuilder Gleeson has won full approval for a 139-home scheme at the former ICI recreation club site in Weston Point.

Housebuilder Bellway has acquired Wirral Business Park in Greasby, a village in Wirral, for an undisclosed sum, enabling it to start building 127 homes on the site. 

A full planning application for Taylor Wimpey’s 337 homes at Halsnead Garden Village, Whiston, has been registered by Knowsley Council.

The council has informed the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that it needs extra time to submit its long-awaited local plan, despite pledging to meet the June deadline earlier this summer.