Trust plan to convert warehouse into homes

A FORMER warehouse site in Widnes could eventually be transformed into homes and an office for Halton Housing Trust if plans are given the green light.

Halton Council’s development control committee has been advised to approve proposals for a two-storey office building, a depot, and parking on land near Warrington Road and Watkinson Way.

The application, from Halton Housing Trust (HHT), also seeks outline planning permission to establish the principle for up to 10 homes on the site in the future.

It added that the site – formerly used for warehousing and distribution – is ‘intended’ to be a workplace for 250 staff, 160 of which be working in a depot.

The application said: “The principle of locating an office development and associated depot on the Warrington Road/ Eastern Widnes Bypass site is acceptable and would ensure the completion of a comprehensive development of the wider site.”

No objections have been raised concerning the plans.

HHT is seeking to relocate its operations at Daresbury Point in Runcorn and Foundry Lane in Widnes to the new site and would be close to both the latter’s town centre, as well as the borough’s main road routes.

Regarding the homes in the pipeline, the application’s conclusion said: “The residential development of up to 10 dwellings would respect the active character of the area, which is now residential given the predominantly residential area of Halton View and the recent granting of over 200 dwellings in the locality.

“The proposal would make a contribution towards attempting to ensure that there is an adequate supply of suitable housing for the borough’s existing communities and to accommodate projected growth in the borough’s population.”

The plans have been recommended for approval, subject to conditions, at the meeting on Monday, August 1.