Revised market scheme back before planning bosses

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a temporary market building in Warrington town centre will come back before planning bosses next Wednesday.
Members of the borough council’s development management committee deferred a decision on the application – made by the council’s own planning department – because they were not happy with it.
They described the proposals as “bland and uninspiring.”
As a result, the project team have given further consideration to the building’s elevations and revised details will be provided at the meeting
The plan is for the temporary building to be used as a market hall while the existing market is demolished and re-built – a period of about two years.
The development – on land bounded by Academy Street, Academy Way, Bank Street, Moulders Lane, Bridge Street, Union Street and Horrocks Lane – would then be converted and sub-divided into sections for a range of uses including retail, financial and professional services, restaurants, library and leisure.
It would then remain as an important permanent feature in the re-developed area at the rear of Bridge Street.
Officers had consulted market traders about the proposals to ensure it would meet their requirements for a temporary period.
Part of the development will occupy land where areas of archaeological interest have been identified – the site of an 18th century chapel and a part of Warrington’s 18th century academy. Conditions will be necessary to ensure the area is closely examined for important archaeological remains.