At Astley Village in Chorley - where Places for People manages 440 homes - almost £470,000 is being invested to provide new public spaces and improve existing ones. The project focuses on six areas around this 27-acre neighbourhood and is part of a wider improvement programme being carried out by Places for People.

Community involvement has been at the heart of this project with the Green Spaces team carrying out door-to-door surveys and presenting ideas to the community. Three residents also sit on the project development team which got plans underway by launching a national design competition.

The competition attracted 27 submissions from landscape architects around the country with three being shortlisted to develop plans further before the winning designer was selected.

Early proposals include the improvement of two existing ponds, making them more attractive and accessible for residents and local wildlife as well as redesigning the tree scheme and shrub beds in this heavily planted neighbourhood. Plans could also include a natural play area as well as other initiatives to improve access around the neighbourhood.

The green space project at Astley Village is set for completion in December 2010.