METRO mayor candidate Steve Rotheram toured a housing scheme for over 55s which is under construction in Chancery Lane.

Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, John Healey MP and MP for St Helens North Conor McGinn also attended the site visit in Parr earlier this week.

The housing scheme is in the early stages of being built and Mr Rotheram is says it is a 'model of community involvement' that he would like to see rolled out across the Liverpool City Region.

Mr Rotheram, MP for Walton, Liverpool, is set to unveil a housing challenge to discover innovative ways to build communities fit for the 21st Century - particularly those which introduce new approaches for older people, modern community mutual and co-operative models, self-build initiatives, community-led neighbourhood design and new funding approaches, as well as modern methods of construction.

Mr Rotheram said: "I have been showing John Healey, our Shadow Housing Secretary, two pioneering examples of some of the principles I'm aiming to encapsulate in the housing challenge.

"The site in St Helens is a model of community involvement in neighbourhood management. The Eldonians in Liverpool is a long-standing example of a community-owned estate that is close-knit, safe and resilient.

"Both demonstrate the benefits of empowering local communities and showcase what we need to capture for the communities of the future. This is part of my vision for building 21st Century communities across the Liverpool City Region."

John Healey MP said: "It's been great to spend the day with Steve and see the innovative housing schemes that are making a big difference to communities in Merseyside."

The housing challenge competition will be open to individuals and organisations to design a neighbourhood of 4,500 dwellings, setting out innovative approaches to community involvement, design, build, financing and sustainability, with the aim of achieving a strong, resilient neighbourhood having a real sense of place and wellbeing.