A NEW housing development in Tranmere is to benefit from a million pound plus cash boost.

The Homes and Communities Agency has awarded £1,078,123, allowing work to begin at the site between Whitford Road and Fountain Street as early as next month.

The site is part of the Housing Market Renewal area and the project will see 56 new homes – a mixture of two, three and four bedroom semi-detached and terraced houses – being built by March 2011.

Its developers Lovell have worked closely with Wirral Council and Newheartlands to secure the funding to speed up the regeneration of the area.

Cllr. George Davies, Wirral's cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "We've worked hard to get to this point so we're obviously delighted to get the funding.

"This was always a landmark development for the Tranmere area, but in the current economic climate it is even more significant and I can't wait for the residents to finally see work getting started."

Chris Bowen, housing market renewal manager for Wirral said: "This funding is a welcome addition as it will enable us to accelerate the housing market renewal programme in Tranmere which is something that the residents really want.

"We are delighted therefore to be able to get started on the Whitford Road site."

Nigel Yates, Lovell's regional director, added: "We are delighted that this important regeneration scheme has been successful in securing Kickstart funding. We look forward to starting work in partnership with the local community, Wirral Council and Newheartlands."