New jobs at warehouse

BLUEPRINTS have been drawn for a vacant Widnes warehouse to be in use around the clock in a bid to create jobs.

Plans have been submitted by M&G Real Estate Limited regarding the structure on Foundry Lane in Halebank.

A planning statement said the site was previously occupied by Eddie Stobart and has been vacant since August 2015.

The document – written by planning agents Knight Frank LLP – said the site has a ‘modern’ warehouse and the the proposed end user is a ‘well established’ Halton business which has been in the borough since 1983, employing 40 people.

It said: “The proposed end user has undertaken a wide search of the employment space available within the Halton borough and has found the unit at Foundry Lane to be the only one to meet their needs for expansion and growth.

“The proposed end user does not propose any external alterations to the unit at Foundry Lane and only seeks consent for the change of use with extended hours of operation.”

The potential occupier is a manufacturing, storage and distribution business which currently operates from Everite Road Industrial Estate for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The statement’s summary and conclusion said: “The proposed change of use would result in a currently vacant unit being brought back into a viable use.

“The proposed change of use would sustain existing jobs of those already employed by the proposed end user whilst also allowing expansion of an existing business resulting in the creation of jobs.

“The proposed end user is keen to work with Halton Borough Council proactively to continue operating within the borough.”