Planners delay decision over eight-storey apartments

PLANNING chiefs have put off a decision on proposals for an eight storey block of 362 apartments in town centre Warrington.
They are concerned at a number of issues, including lack of dedicated parking and the absence of affordable homes in the development.
The scheme is in Winwick Street at its junction with John Street – close to Warrington Central Station.
There are three Grade 2 Listed buildings nearby – the Boulting building, the Kings Head public house and the Cheshire Lines warehouse – as well as a number of locally listed buildings.
The scheme involves the demolition of existing bu8ildings and removal sub structures and the erection of two buildings.
One would be the apartment block, providing 362 homes over eight floors, and the other a nine-storey multi-storey car park for public use.
The apartment block would comprise of a mix of 253 one and 98 two bed apartments, eight two-bed duplexes and three four bed duplexes. They would all be available for private rent.
Three entrances from John Street and a point off Central Way would provide access to the building.
Retail units and a café would be included on the ground floor – with an external seating area with the café.
The scheme will come back before the borough council’s development management committee following members’ decision to defer the application for more information.