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Halton’s healthy new town ambitions take shape

A London-based urban design firm has won an international competition to help transform Halton in Cheshire into a ‘healthy new town’.

Citiesmode beat 34 other submissions from around the globe in a challenge run by the US-based company Innocentre.

As part of the challenge, it put forward its own set of project ideas, many of which will be taken forward in a development masterplan to help transform Halton, which is one of NHS England’s 10 healthy new towns.

The ideas include making Halton as walkable and cycle-able as possible, with good designs and innovative signage, as well as creating connected neighourhoods and inclusive public spaces.

The plans put forward by Citiesmode include an urban obstacle course connecting public gym equipment and sprinting tracks marked out on safe pavements and a nursery farm for children to learn about where food comes from and pick up healthier eating habits.

The firm also suggested giving the town universal Wi-Fi, so residents can use new technology to health services from home, such as online GP consultations, which NHS England is backing to the tune of £45m.

And converting a car park into a new community square with outdoor cinema, which will offer more chances to socialise, in order to help boost Halton’s sense of community and improve mental health.

The proposals also included designs for multigenerational living that bring care for the elderly and children under one roof.

Halton was selected as one of NHS England’s 10 healthy new towns in March.

The concept aims to rethink how health and care services can be delivered within communities.

‘These practical designs for Halton point the way, uniting young and old in thinking through the sort of communities we want for the future,’ said NHS England chief executive, Simon Stevens.

‘The NHS makes no apologies for weighing in with good ideas on how the built environment can encourage healthy towns and supportive neighbourhoods.’

Children from Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy and Hallwood Park Primary School have already been consulted about the plans.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are also holding a healthy town open day to coincide with its annual members meeting on 12 September.

‘The trust has long championed a vision of being at the heart of the community through a modern, smaller acute hospital with integrated primary, wellbeing, community and social care support functions all working together around the needs of the patient and the community,’ said trust chief executive, Mel Pickup.

‘We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something truly transformational for our populations.

‘Our hospitals are a source of great pride to our staff and the people of Halton and it is important to help them visualise what the future might look like,’ added the chief executive.

‘I am now really keen to get their thoughts, views and inputs on the designs, so we can all build something better, together.’

The final Halton masterplan and delivery strategy is due to be published at the beginning of January 2018.

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