His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, has officially opened the new Village Square in Castlefields.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Halton, Cllrs Tom and Angela McInerney, welcomed His Royal Highness at Castlefields Community Centre and introduced local residents, community groups and regeneration partners. He was briefed on the £100m regeneration project that has transformed the area from a concrete jungle to a modern, vibrant community. Over the last 10 years the Castlefields Regeneration Partnership has overseen the provision of:

•hundreds of new and refurbished homes


•a new park

•a village square featuring new community centre, health centre, public square and shops

•improved public transport routes.

Touring the new Village Square, the Duke visited the centre café, the new Castlefields Health Centre, admired a new public art work and unveiled a commemorative plaque in the Village Square.

Deborah McLaughlin, North West Executive Director at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) said: "It's been great to work as part of the Castlefields Regeneration Partnership to devise a vision and masterplan for the area and see the plans come to fruition. The area has been transformed almost beyond recognition, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of local partners and the community.

"By supporting and investing in Castlefields, particularly the new Village Square, I’m pleased that the HCA has played a role in increasing the supply of new affordable homes, supporting economic growth, creating community space and improving access to education, employment and training opportunities for local people. I look forward to continuing our work with partners in the ongoing regeneration of Castlefields."

(CD)