Town's blueprint for the year 2027

MEMBERS of Warrington Borough Council will be asked tonight to formally adopt the borough’s Local Plan Core Strategy – the planning blueprint that will guide development of the town up to the year 2027.
The document – which has taken more than five years to finalise – is almost certain to be accepted.
But councillors have been warned of the consequences if they should fail to adopt the plan.
A report to go to the council states: “The implications of not adopting the Local Plan Core Strategy are very serious and will leave the borough without an up-to-date planning framework to determine planning applications…
“…The council’s ability to influence how much new development should be planned for , and where new development should be focussed, would be substantially weakened.”
However, even after adoption, there is a six week period during which any aggrieved person can challenge it in the High Court.
The plan’s vision for 2027 is of a borough where economic performance has improved and the town is meeting the needs of businesses, including service sectors, the knowledge economy, manufacturing and distribution sectors through the provision of a supply of high quality sites and a ski9lled population.
Employment opportunities will have grown through the development of the central area on sites such as Bridge Street and Winwick Street, bringing more vitality to the town centre and complementing the continued success of peripheral sites such as Birchwood Park and the development of significant employment opportunities at Omega and Lingley Mere.
The plan aims to reduce the level of vacant premises and protect the town centre from the harmful impacts of inappropriate retail development on the edge of and outside of the town centre.
A diverse range of town centre uses are envisaged, including businesses, leisure, housing, entertainment, food an drink, education and culture as well as the retail core.
The plan is to ensure a more “civilised” town centre by increasing the range of uses and reducing the prevalence of “vertical drinking.”
There is also an intention to safeguard and enhance district centres such as Birchwood, Stockton Heath and Westbrook and neighbourhood centres such as Chapelford Culcheth, Lymm, Latchford, Orford Lane, Lovely Lane, Fearnhead Cross, etc.
Housing growth is also envisaged with a more balanced housing offer, including more affordable homes indistinguishable from what has been provided on the open market.
An adequate supply of sites for gypsies, travellers and travelling show people will also have been provided.
At the same time, the plan envisages a “green” infrastructure network providing an attractive setting for residents, investors and visitors, well maintained and easily accessible.
Warrington will have built on its strong roots as a regional transport hub – easy to get to and easy to get around. Congestion will have been reduced by encouraging people to use modes of transport other than the car.
Pictured: An artist’s impression of what Warrington’s new market square might look like.