MORE than £1.7 million will be spent by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to ‘mitigate the impact’ of building 770 homes in Appleton and Grappenhall Heys.

In October last year, the development management committee passed the HCA's controversial proposals for 370 homes at its Appleton Cross site, on Dipping Brook Avenue, and 400 at Grappenhall Heys, off Witherwin Avenue.

The proposals were approved subject to the applicant entering into a deed with the council.

Agreements to 'mitigate the impact' of the development have now been thrashed out between the pair.

The deed covering the Appleton development includes a £10,000 contribution for two bus stops, £12,257 for three signs to reinforce the existing 30mph speed limit in the area, £4,769 for additional road safety signage on Lumb Brook Road, £285,270 for the development of new health care facility in Appleton, £288,995 to upgrade facilities at Broomfields Leisure Centre and £80,725 to improve facilities at New Lane.

The agreement covering the Grappenhall Heys development includes a £242,500 contribution to enhance bus services, £10,000 for the provision of two bus stops, £1,084 for signage to direct visitors of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden to available car parking, £70,000 for a signalised pedestrian crossing, £308,400 to go towards the new health care facility in Appleton, £312,246 for upgrades to Broomfields Leisure Centre and £87,260 to improve facilities at New Lane.

Payments towards primary and secondary education are also required over both developments.

The Clinical Commissioning Group will be offered first refusal on the health care facility on 'open market terms', provided that the offer reflects market value and any use is in compliance with regulations.

It would have a maximum floor space of 1,000 square metres.

The Homes and Communities Agency was replaced by Homes England last month.