Last week, braving Storm Éowyn, some of the project partners visited the Mercia Place independent living scheme in Runcorn, to see first-hand the development’s progress.

Partners including representatives from Halton Housing, Halton Borough Council, Runcorn Town Deal Board and Legacie Developments visited the development, which is located on a long-standing vacant brownfield site in the centre of Runcorn Old Town, directly on the High Street and backing onto the canal.

Mercia Place will offer 66 much-needed and affordable one- and two-bedroom homes for over-55s and is the first new build scheme which Halton Housing has developed for Social Rent.

The development is progressing rapidly, with the steel frame nearing completion, providing a clear glimpse of the final structure. The construction work, led by Legacie Developments, marks our fourth independent living scheme in Halton. The development is due to be completed in spring 2026.

Paul Mullane, Halton Housing’s Director of Development and Sales, said: “I’m particularly delighted to celebrate the progress of Mercia Place so far. It will provide much-needed affordable homes for those in later life, in Runcorn and will contribute to the wider regeneration works taking place in the Old Town.”

Wesley Rourke, Executive Director Environment and Regeneration, said: "It is pleasing to see and hear that Halton Housing are committed to the long-term regeneration of the town and are investing significant resources in developments such as Mercia Place. I believe that this demonstrates a ringing endorsement of the vision and ambition that strategic partners collaboratively have worked on over the last few years and this commitment and determination is starting to bear fruit.”

Mercia Place is named after Aethelflaed of Mercia, who founded Runcorn in 915 AD as a fortification to protect against Viking invasions at the narrowing of the River Mersey. The name was chosen following a company-wide naming competition last December.

Reconnecting Runcorn is an ambitious programme of projects aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of local people and boosting the local economy. Mercia Place is one of several projects that form Reconnecting Runcorn and it is exciting to see other projects on site at this time including the enhancements at Brindley Theatre and the extension / refurb works to the Camrion Buildings.

In the header picture above, from left to right, are: Paul Mullane, Director of Development and Sales at Halton Housing, Wesley Rourke, Executive Director Environment and Regeneration at Halton Borough Council, Jochem Hollestelle, Principal Regeneration Officer,  Halton Borough Council, Neil McGrath. Deputy Group Chief Executive & Chief Financial Officer at Halton Housing, Mark Blain, Legacie Contracts Ltd and Ria Griffiths, Development Project Manager at Halton Housing.