Industrial unit plan for derelict site approved
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BLUEPRINTS for an industrial unit at the site of a demolished chemical works in Widnes have been given the green light.
Commercial Development Projects Ltd has also applied to create external lighting, an electricity substation, a service yard and car parking at the former Bayer CropScience site off Gorsey Lane.
The plans envisage a building with a total floor area of 400,000 square feet across two storeys – with most of the space dedicated to a warehouse and the rest to an office – with 206 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points, as well as cycle parking.
Halton Borough Council bought the site for £5.5m using North West Development Agency funding in 2009, when Bayer CropScience ceased operations at the site amid dwindling demand for one of two chemicals produced there and an order from the European Union Monopolies And Mergers Commission to diversify.
The site subsequently hung in limbo for several years as funding was sought to clean up the land, with more than £500,000 of council cash allocated in 2013 and further money made available earlier this year to carry out any land remediation which still needed to be done.
No representations have been received by the local authority regarding the plans.
An unnamed occupier for the unit has already been found.
Councillors on Halton Borough Council’s development control committee were advised to give the plans the green light subject to conditions at a meeting on Monday, August 5.
A report prepared for councillors said: “It is considered that the redevelopment of such a vacant site for a good quality industrial building and offering potential employment opportunities should be welcomed.
“The proposals are considered to be of a quality suited to the site and in keeping with the area and adjoining developments.”