800 mystery jobs get go-ahead

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have given the go ahead for a new office development promising 800 new jobs – despite being refused any information about who will be providing the jobs.
The scheme involves the former Cable and Wireless complex in Woolston Grange Avenue, Birchwood.
The existing office block will be completely refurbished and a four-storey extension will be added, providing more offices, storage and workshop space.
Members of the borough’s development control committee expressed concern that the identity of the new occupier was being withheld after hearing routine maintenance of their vehicle fleet would take place on the site.
But after hearing that agents representing the unknown applicants were promising 800 jobs, the scheme was approved.
The new extension will be connected by a link building to the refurbished block.
A total of 450 parking spaces will be provided and access to the site will be from the existing access point from the traffic island on Woolston Grange Avenue, via Longbarn Boulevard.
A neighbour objected on the grounds houses on Blackburne Close would be overlooked and the development would cause traffic and parking problems.
But planners said the houses would be more than 70 metres from the building and the proposal would not be unduly affected.
There was also unlikely to be traffic or parking problems for residents.