Angry residents are up in arms over proposals for a major new development at The Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn, with planning chiefs poised to give it the green light in the coming weeks.
Halton Council's development management committee meets on May 20 where it is recommended to rubber-stamp outline plans by SOG Ltd for up to 545 'net zero' homes including 59 senior living apartments, a 55,000 sq ft vertical farm powered by hydrogen, as well as retail, office and leisure space. Known as Heath Park, backers have dubbed it a '21st century Port Sunlight'.
More than 700 objections have been received, with a group of local residents claiming they have not been adequately consulted - a claim disputed by SOG Ltd. The new project includes a vertical farm as well. Local resident Matthew Morris, said: "We as the Heath and Weston community voice invite the council and SOG LTD to come to the table and discuss these plans. We as a community have had no consultation and no discussion about these plans. These plans are not fit for purpose and do not fit in with area."
He added: "Yet again we can't help but feel that Halton Council are trying to push these plans through although there is significant opposition." Paul Smith, Head of Communications for Heath Park, said: "SOG has issued more than 50 news releases and statements since the company first unveiled its vision for Heath Park in December 2019.
Read the entire article at Runcorn & Widnes World