IMAGINATIVE plans for Warrington town centre which would see the disappearance of the town’s “ugliest” building and the re-development of a major shopping centre and a new hotel, have been given the green light.
The scheme – given outline approval by the borough council’s development management committee – will include up to 900 apartments but also green spaces.
New Town House – which has been described as “a brute of a building” and also “the ugliest building in town” would disappear.
The outline proposals for the development of land bounded by Scotland Road, Buttermarket Street and Crown Street would also see the redevelopment of the Cockhedge Shopping Centre.
Warrington Borough Council planning officers supported the scheme because:
*It would make efficient use of a previously developed site within the town centre for a mixture of uses which are appropriate in the town centre.
*The proposed development would make a contribution to the supply of dwellings within the borough.
* The scale of the development in the town centre will increase population in a highly sustainable location allowing for the creation of sustainable communities and generating economic benefits to town centre businesses
*The proposal would provide for open space and improved public realm provision in the town centre, being a catalyst to improved pedestrian connectivity across Scotland Road from the Town Centre area.
*The proposal will result in a comprehensive redevelopment of a key town centre site, subject to strict high-quality design criteria
* The illustrative information submitted with the application indicates that the quantum of development proposed could be accommodated on the site without unacceptable impacts on the amenity of the area, heritage assets or residential amenity.
* There would be no unacceptable impacts in relation to highway safety, ecology, flood risk or drainage.
The application site is circa 2.7 hectares. It is currently occupied by an Asda superstore and other retail units within the Cockhedge shopping centre, some of which are vacant, a bingo hall, a surface car park accessed from Scotland Road and New Town House.
The scheme will mean the demolition of 18 retail and cafe units and a bingo building but the Asda store would remain operational – with changes to its car parking arrangements.
In addition to up to 900 apartments, there would be a hotel, offices, shops, leisure provision and public open space. The area currently occupied by New Town House would be left open.
Detailed proposals have yet to be submitted and will be subject to approval by the council.
