Executive homes plan for Omega!

ANOTHER question mark is hanging over the future of 24,000 new jobs at Warrington’s £1 billion Omega development, which could now be earmarked for a major housing development!
One of the key development partners, Miller Developments, are sounding out Warrington Borough Council and the North West Development Agency on the idea of building 1,100, mainly executive homes on the former Burtonwood air base site, due to there being no sign of economic recovery for business developments for up to five years!
But the suggestion has concerned business leaders who believe it should remain a flagship strategic employment site for Warrington and the North West.
Colin Daniels, Chief Executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce is opposed to any housing development on the site.
He said: “What Warrington and the North West Region needs are more permanent jobs and the Omega site, which has been ear marked by the NWDA as a flagship site will at some time in the future provide these much needed jobs.
“Warrington and the immediate area have already been waiting with great patience for the site to be developed and if we have to wait a little longer for those jobs so be it.
“The last thing the town needs is 1100 new executive houses.”
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, in an exclusive video interview, says he would not be supportive of a housing development.
He says he has “positive optimism” and sees “fragile seeds of recovery” with business confidence stronger and although it may take a little longer to achieve, due to the current economic climate, he still expects to see Omega bring “high value” jobs to Warrington and the North West.
But Council leader Ian Marks said: “We are looking at the future mix of development at the Omega site, as part of the local development framework planning process.
“Housing is being considered as part of this process but it is too early to talk about the numbers and type of housing involved.”
Previously the Omega business site has been eyed up as a possible site for a Titan “super prison” for up to 2,500 inmates.
More than £35 million of public money has already been spent on the Omega scheme since it was first conceived some 21 years ago.
The development partners are Miller Developments, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Warrington Borough Council. But although a new motorway junction has been built on the M62 to cater for the site, not a single building has been erected.
The 550-acre site straddles the motorway and occupies much of the site of the former Burtonwood airbase.
The original Omega plan would provide 7.1m sq ft of offices, manufacturing, technology and distribution space alongside leisure, retail, hotel and conference facilities.
It had been hoped 12,000 jobs would be created over 10 years, with another 12,000 following as the development was completed.
A further 7,000 jobs could have been created indirectly in construction and engineering.
To see the full video interview CLICK HERE