Plans for £45m scheme to lift town centre submitted

Ambitious plans have been unveiled for £45m mixed-use development in Warrington which could help transform a rundown part of the town centre.

Palmus Developments – part of the Tyneside High Street Group of Companies – has drawn up new proposals for land at John Street, Warrington.

The plans include around 6,500sq ft of commercial space for retail and related uses, 362 apartments as well as amenity space for residents, and 796 car parking spaces.

Keith McDougall of Palmus Developments said: “The proposals will lead to a range of short and long term economic benefits; generating employment, creating economic value, boosting housing supply and boosting to local authorities financial resources.”

Palmus has contracted the Manchester office of national planning and development consultancy Lichfields to take forward the proposals on its behalf.

It has now submitted the planning application to Warrington Borough Council.

Lichfields says the development will support over 200 construction jobs during the build period and dozens more in the commercial space once complete.

It will also lead to a £1.9m in New Homes Bonus Payments for the council and an additional £500,000 in Council Tax Revenues

Simon Pemberton, senior director at Lichfields, said: “The site has previously had planning permission for 284 apartments and commercial uses which was secured by the original developer just before the recession. The scheme was not built out because of the economic downturn and viability issues.

“Palmus is fully committed to bringing the site forward and has been working on new proposals for its redevelopment for a number of months.

“The site is located next to Warrington Central Station and will act as a catalyst for regeneration in the northern part of the town.”