More Lakeside homes planned

A BUILDING firm has filed plans for the third phase of housing at the Lakeside development in Runcorn.

Keepmoat has requested permission to install 43 two and three bed houses on parkland to the east of the man-made fishing lake near Phoenix Park.

Plans filed with the application said the properties will be a mix of townhouse, detached, semidetached and mews homes, all with gardens.

Eighty-six parking spaces have been proposed for the site, as have hard standing areas behind each property for three bins in accordance with council requirements.

Up to five of the houses would have shared driveway access.

A design and access statement said Halton Borough Council has identified the area, although classed as greenspace, as part of its housing land availability assessment and said the works would form part of the longer-term regeneration of Castlefields.

An ecology assessment said there have been no records of finding great crested newts within one kilometre of the plot.

Keepmoat’s landscaping report added that trees will be planted in front gardens and communal spaces.

Hedgerows and ornamental shrub beds would be installed in some locations.

Back gardens will be fenced with gated access, and footpaths will be ‘well lit’ to boost security, the design statement said.

Access to the 1.25-hectare site would be from Castlefields Avenue East.

The previous phases of Keepmoat’s Lakeside project have led to the construction of 159 homes in the area.

Public consultation is open until Thursday, July 20, with Halton Council aiming to decide the matter by September 22.