A new estate with hundreds of homes specifically designed for a 'post pandemic world' is being planned for Widnes.

Taylor Wimpy has submitted an outline planning application for 350 new properties along with 'green infrastructure' such as wetland habitats, open landscaping, play area and footpaths. The company said the estate would be designed for an era where working from home is 'the new normal'.

If given the go ahead, the new estate would span greenfield land between Chapel Lane and Sandy Lane, bordering Cronton and next to Upton Rocks. It would consist of a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom properties, with a total of 20% being classed as ‘affordable’.

The land was designated for residential development by Halton Council when members voted in a new strategic list of planning priorities - known as a Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP) - last year.

A Taylor Wimpey design and access statement submitted in support of the new plans, said: “The design has been developed to take account of a post-pandemic world in which working from home, walking, cycling and inhabiting one’s immediate neighbourhood becomes the ‘new normal’.

“These spaces will create a green infrastructure network, providing space for sustainable urban drainage areas, as well as creating wildlife corridors through the site and out into the surrounding countryside.”

The design and access statement said that the pandemic had led to a decline in the need for 'large costly offices' with more people working from home, and that this had had in impact on design of estates and new dwellings.

It said: “In terms of housing design, the obvious requirement for residents is the ability to work from home in a good environment, so space for a home office - either a bedroom or a purpose-designed office - assists in this requirement.

“Enough private external space so as to be able to leave the home and enjoy the outside and fresh air is a must, and can come in various forms including front and rear gardens.”

The outline planning application has been made to Halton Borough Council, but with aspects of access set to be decided by Knowsley Borough Coubcil.

No dates have yet been set for decisions.

More than 1,000 new properties are currently already planned for Widnes and in various stages of the planning process, following a flurry of applications when the council adopted its new DALP, which stripped away green belt protections from some areas of the borough. The green belt is a buffer zone designed to protect the countryside from over development.

Halton Council has previously maintained new homes are necessary to meet national housing targets, and that it has insufficient previously developed 'brownfield' land to build on, necessitating construction on former green belt, greenfield and farmland.

Last month, Halton's development management committee approved 479 new Redrow properties on two estates at Derby Road and South Lane, despite 154 objections being raised by local residents citing concerns over pressure on local infrastructure. A formal objection was also made by Cheshire Police over the impact on its resources.