OUTLINE proposals for a major housing scheme on the site of the former Wilderspool RL stadium have been approved by Warrington planners.
The scheme involves up to 160 homes – including a number of three and four storey apartment blocks – and has been submitted by Wire Regeneration, a partnership between developers Langtree and Warrington Borough Council.
Extending to 2.2 hectares, the site is bounded by a railway line to the north east, by terraced housing on Priory Street and Fletcher Street to the west and by other urban, commercial development to the south.
To the east of the railway line is an extensive area of established housing off Lord Street, York Street, Canterbury Street and others.
Warrington Wolves last used the ground for a competitive match in 2003 and the club ceased using the site for training and academy matches as it was due to be demolished in 2014.
Four nearby residents objected to the scheme when it came before the borough’s development management committee.
They claimed Fetcher Street was too narrow, with residents’ cars parked on either side constantly, so Priory Street would be the only valid, safe access. They believed access should be via St James Court, off Brian Bevan Island.
Parking would overflow onto Fletcher Street and Priory Street and access onto Wilderspool Causeway would become more difficult.
Three and four storey development would be out of keeping with the area, residents argued
Planning officers said the development would be acceptable and recommended the scheme be approved.
After the meeting committee chairman Cllr Tony McCarthy stressed that only outline permission had been granted. Detailed proposals had still to be submitted.
But it was envisaged most of the housing would reflect the style of the existing terraced houses in Fletcher Street and Priory Street while the apartment blocks would be near to the railway – well away from the terraced housing.
It was also hoped to have a one way system to ease access to the site from Wilderspool Causeway.
One vision of what the housing would look like
Wilderspool housing scheme gets the green light
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