The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is to invest £17.3m to create 170 hectares of new green spaces in Cheshire and Warrington.

The grant will be managed by Cheshire County Council and will run for 22 years, covering 20 individual sites.

The funding is part of the NWDA’s Revive programme, which aims to transform brownfield land into new community space. The scheme is part of the organisation’s efforts to improve public access and enhanced provision for nature conservation on previously developed land areas.

The Revive initiative is delivered by a partnership which includes local authorities, environmental charity Groundwork UK, Community Forests, the Land Restoration Trust, the Weaver Valley Regional Park and the Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance.

Peter White, NWDA executive director, said: “The Revive programme will help tackle the legacy of brownfield land in Cheshire and Warrington, transforming 170 hectares of land across the region into high quality, green open spaces.

“The scheme is all about enhancing quality of life for local people, as well as creating an environment that will help to attract further investment.”

Most of the 20 sites that will benefit from the funding are located within the Weaver Valley Regional Park, with 18 in Cheshire and two in Warrington.

Confirmed works to be completed using the funding include the creation of a new cycleway between Chester and Mickle Trafford.