Council chiefs endorse green Omega plan

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TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington have endorsed a masterplan for the Omega South development site which is focussed on a “Green Heart” which will create a central wildlife friendly landscape.
Although the masterplan recognises development of the 177 hectare site is likely to result in the loss of some grassland, it attempts to create a proposal that will significantly enhance the biodiversity of an area currently flat and largely featureless and impoverished in ecological terms.
However, there are existing colonies of Great Crested Newt and Brown Hare on the site and the masterplan sets out proposals to preserve and indeed improve their habitats.
The masterplan has been prepared by Omega Warrington Ltd (OWL), developer of the site, inco-operation with the borough council and the Homes and Communities Agency, who own the site.
A report to the council’s executive board said Omega received outline planning approval in 2007 and Omega North was now developing apace. But the Omega South business park remained largely unchanged.
The masterplan incorporates a landscape and ecology strategy, wildlife, recreational routes, open space, development sites and landscape management.
There are also a strategies for surface water drainage, vehicle access, cycling and walking, parking, public transport and office and residential development.
But the central focus will be the “Green Heart” which will provide a variety of habitats and create a number of “green” corridors for wildlife, pedestrians and cyclists.
In total it will cover 48 hectares, retaining and enhancing 28 hectares of existing habitat and creating 8.3 hectares of woodland and scrub, 8.37 hectares of wetlands and ponds and 13.75km of new hedgerows. Significant existing trees and hedgerows will also be retained.
The green routes will include cycleways and footpaths will provide and attractive and diverse environment through which both wildlife and people can move.
Residential development will be at the south of the site and will be a natural progression from existing houses off Whittle Avenue and Lingley Green Avenue. It seems likely a new primary school will be needed to cater for the new housing – along with play provision. Shops and a supermarket are also proposed.
Office development will be of one, two and possibly three storey buildings.
The masterplan’s authors believe it offers a successful dialogue between the development zones and local ecological aspirations.
Picture: an early artist’s impression of Omega.


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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  1. Crucial that the plan includes wildlife corridors from the central area to link up with surrounding countryside and open space if the Council is serious about trying to protecting wildlife

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