Plans submitted for re-development of former university campus

DETAILED plans for the re-development of the former Padgate campus of the University of Chester, including 410 dwellings, have now been submitted to Warrington Borough Council planners.

The campus is now unused, the university having moved its operations into the town centre.

But the scheme will involve the loss of a significant amount of sports provision, including 2.53 hectares of grass playing fields, a floodlit artificial grass pitch, a two-lane jogging track, indoor artificial grass pitches, a gymnasium and a four-court sports hall, along with changing rooms.
Sports mitigation facilities are proposed in other parts of the borough, making use of Victoria Park, Woolston Playing Fields in Hillock Lane, Priestley College and Lymm High School.
Planners have been told that the sports mitigation proposals have been discussed at length with the borough council, Sport England, Warrington Wolves, Warrington Wolves Community Foundation, the Rugby Football League, the Football Foundation, England Athletics, and England Hockey, all of who are said to support the principles of the mitigation, following significant changes to the mitigation package in respect of Rugby League, and Football provision.
However, it is understood there are concerns about the provision for rugby league and football at Victoria Park and Woolston.

At the present stage only the principle of the mitigation proposals, are dealt with and detailed technical works will follow through separate planning applications to be submitted in respect of each site – Victoria Park and Woolston Playing Fields.
The 410 dwellings proposed for the site include 51 affordable homes.
The overall proposals are now being studied by borough council planning chiefs.