TWO new public spaces are set to be created in Accrington as part of a £15.5million regeneration scheme.

PlaceFirst, the housing developer behind the regeneration of Woodnook, has unveiled plans for the new spaces as part of the ongoing transformation of the area.

Planning applications have been submitted for a new public square off Nuttall Street and a small park off Booth Street.

The next wave of 30 two, three and four-bedroom private rented homes in Royds Street and Booth Street are set to be completed by August.

Community leaders said they are delighted with the work so far and look forward to seeing the new spaces.

Woodnook Square, a formal hard landscaped space flanked by new trees, will be built on the cleared Priestly Nook site off Nuttall Street.

The plans create a flexible space that can be used for a range of community events and will be managed by PlaceFirst.

The proposed square will also create an attractive ‘front door’ to Woodnook Community Centre, a building previously hidden behind a now-demolished block of flats.

Trinity Community Church, which runs the community centre, are currently refurbishing the building which will offer a wider programme of events and rooms that can be used by local groups and societies.

In Booth Street, where a row of dilapidated terraced houses once stood, PlaceFirst is proposing a small park overlooked by new homes.

The park will feature a young children’s play area, and a private residents garden including BBQ facilities and opportunities for local residents to ‘grow their own’ plants and vegetables.

David Smith-Milne, managing director of PlaceFirst said: “The proposed new public spaces in Woodnook will compliment the new homes we are building and provide high quality, publicly accessible spaces that will benefit the wider Woodnook community.

“In a neighbourhood of ‘back of footpath’ terraced housing, we always felt it was important to provide some quality public space that can widen the appeal of Woodnook beyond housing alone; as build-to-rent developers we place significant importance on quality public realm as these are the spaces where people meet and communities are formed.”

PlaceFirst expect to start groundworks on both sites imminently to prepare them ahead of obtaining the necessary planning approval.

The regeneration is being delivered through a joint venture between PlaceFirst and Together Housing Group, in partnership with Hyndburn Council.

The new homes are being built for market rent, delivering high quality homes and a professional landlord service to the growing number of households who now live in private rented sector.

Cllr Clare Cleary, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “We are delighted with the transformation being delivered by PlaceFirst in Woodnook.

"The new spaces will introduce some much needed open space into the Woodnook neighbourhood and at the same complement the ongoing works to refurbish many long-term empty homes.”

The next phase of the Woodnook transformation will see 60 empty houses refurbished.