FOUR housing associations have been shortlisted to become St Helens Council's partner in attempts to improve property on the Wargrave estate at Newton.

The four - Grosvenor Housing Association, Liverpool Housing Trust, Liver Housing Association and Riverside Housing Association - have been invited to prepare a final submission to the council and to attend an open day for residents of the Wargrave estate on September 30.

Final interviews with the associations will take place on October 8.

The council plans to transfer 75 empty properties on the estate to the association which will also have the opportunity to develop sites with new homes. There will be the future option for council tenants to voluntarily transfer to the housing association.

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