PEOPLE who face losing their homes to make way for a £20 million regeneration of Widnes town centre will be re-housed and receive compensation, Halton Council pledged this week.

Residents and tenants heard details of the proposed development plans at a meeting in Simms Cross primary school.

Another meeting is to be held before Christmas.

As revealed exclusively in the World, 106 homes and 60 businesses face demolition to create space for two major retail developments.

Halton Council housing officers will be visiting every home affected by the plans to discuss each person's individual requirements.

The authority has pledged to try and accommodate the wishes of each tenant and resident.

For example, if families wish to move to be near relatives, housing officers will do their best to find suitable accommodation in that area.

A major housing scheme is planned for the old market car park in Lacey Street to re-house any Lambert Court tenants who wish to remain in the town centre.

The residential development beside the fire station includes 44 three-storey town houses with a further 36 being built in phase two.

Council tenants were told this week they will be re-housed and offered £1,500 compensation for the upheaval.

Owner occupiers will be offered the full market value of their property - to be assessed by an independent valuer - plus a further 12.5 per cent in compensation.

"Some people were angry to begin with but when they heard about the compensation, they seemed much happier," said Monica Sant, who has lived in Lambert Court for 26 years.

Mrs Sant is hoping to be re-housed near her daughter who bought a house in Lambert Court seven years ago.

"I have got a lot of memories here after 26 years but I think these plans are going to go ahead whatever we say."

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