by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead for re-development of a major shopping centre on the outskirts of Warrington, despite fears that it could have a damaging impact on footfall in the town centre.
The borough council's development management committee has approved plans for five new retail units, a new restaurant and the change of use of a motorists' centre to retailing at the Alban Retail Park, off the A49 Winwick Road.
Improvements will also be carried out to existing retail units, including new lobby entrances, new facades and car parking.
The committee also approved re-development of the adjoining Fiat warehouse site with new buildings for research and development, light industry, general industry or storage and distribution.
Two new road junctions at Winwick Road and Cromwell Avenue will be provided for the Fiat site and there will be a further new junction to the retail park from Winwick Road, as well as improvements to the existing access off Hawley's Lane.
A number of councillors expressed concern at the likely impact of the schemes on the viability of the town centre.
Officers admitted the Alban Retail Park scheme was clearly in conflict with the borough's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and national policy, and could pose a significant threat to the vitality and viability of the town centre.
But they recommended both schemes be approved.
They argued that the retail park would support the Fiat site development - which would provide some 500 new jobs - and was already in competition with the town centre.
In a report to the committee, planners said: "The project represents a rare - and possibly unique - opportunity to begin the environmental and visual transformation of a large site within the Winwick Road corridor."
Picture: The Alban Retail Park
PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead for re-development of a major shopping centre on the outskirts of Warrington, despite fears that it could have a damaging impact on footfall in the town centre.
The borough council's development management committee has approved plans for five new retail units, a new restaurant and the change of use of a motorists' centre to retailing at the Alban Retail Park, off the A49 Winwick Road.
Improvements will also be carried out to existing retail units, including new lobby entrances, new facades and car parking.
The committee also approved re-development of the adjoining Fiat warehouse site with new buildings for research and development, light industry, general industry or storage and distribution.
Two new road junctions at Winwick Road and Cromwell Avenue will be provided for the Fiat site and there will be a further new junction to the retail park from Winwick Road, as well as improvements to the existing access off Hawley's Lane.
A number of councillors expressed concern at the likely impact of the schemes on the viability of the town centre.
Officers admitted the Alban Retail Park scheme was clearly in conflict with the borough's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and national policy, and could pose a significant threat to the vitality and viability of the town centre.
But they recommended both schemes be approved.
They argued that the retail park would support the Fiat site development - which would provide some 500 new jobs - and was already in competition with the town centre.
In a report to the committee, planners said: "The project represents a rare - and possibly unique - opportunity to begin the environmental and visual transformation of a large site within the Winwick Road corridor."
Picture: The Alban Retail Park
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3 Responses to "Out-of-town shops plan approved" 
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said this on 20 Feb 2012 9:52:09 AM BST
Why is Alban Retail Park a threat to the town centre? Surely Birchwood Shopping Centre falls into the same category with the improvements being made there also? Plus there's Gemini Retail Park and Riverside Retail Park. All of which have free parking.
I think everybody knows what town centre need to do to build up attraction for potential shoppers - scrap car park charges and fill the empty shops. This is what puts me off going into town. Why should I pay to park when I spend so much anyway - and what am I paying for? The state of town centre tells me it's not being reinvested back into the keeping of the town.
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said this on 20 Feb 2012 11:43:48 AM BST
On the one hand "The scheme was clearly in conflict with the borough's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and national policy, and could pose a significant threat to the vitality and nd viability of the town centre." and yet the planners say it " represents a rare - and possibly unique - opportunity to begin the environmental and visual transformation of a large site within the Winwick Road corridor." Once again the planners have torn up their own rule book when it suits them. Why bItother with a UDP that is obviously flawed? It must pretty clear from similar situations across the country, let alone the borough, that developers by one means or another will find ways of siting their retail outlets to places where joe public will flock, and as FPS has said that is where parking is free or cheapest.
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said this on 20 Feb 2012 1:14:49 PM BST
Will the last shopkeeper to leave the town centre please turn off the lights.
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