£25m scheme first move in plans to transform Warrington’s Southern Gateway

One of Rugby League’s most hallowed patches of turf is to be developed in to an ‘exemplar’ housing scheme – and is to be named after one of the sport’s greats.

Warrington RLFC’s former Wilderspool home, which closed in 2003, will provide 160 new homes and will be named in honour of Brian Bevan, Warrington’s all-conquering Australian winger who scored a world record 796 tries in a career spanning 22 years.

A planning application has now been submitted for the proposed development by Wire Regeneration, a joint venture between developer Langtree and Warrington Borough Council, and will be the first scheme in its wider plans to transform the town’s Southern Gateway.

The development is being designed “to reflect the very best standards in urban design”, according to Neal Biddle, group development director at Langtree.

“We are setting the tone for our wider ambitions to create a fitting gateway to the town centre,” he said.

“And, of course, we want to honour the standards Brian Bevan himself set, which are yet to be equalled.”

Mr Biddle says that ward councillors and local residents have been informed of the proposals and that he hopes the scheme will secure planning permission early in 2019.

Work would start shortly afterwards.

The £25m scheme is to be called Bevan Mews with the blessing of Brian Bevan’s family.