Warehouse bid backed
PROPOSALS to build two new warehouses in Widnes have been backed by planning chiefs.
The two buildings are due to be constructed on Shell Green, Bennetts Lane, along with 37 car parking spaces, office space and service yards.
The project will span 3,356 square metres of general industrial and storage and distribution floor space, with an additional 521.3 square metres of offices, all split across the proposed two warehouses.
The buildings will face on to Shell Green, opposite the existing units in Easter Park. Staff parking areas would be located to the front and a new footway is proposed across the front of the site to improve pedestrian access along Shell Green.
A report to the council’s development management committee, said: “The site comprises 1.2 hectares of vacant land, and is predominantly rough grass land, with shrubs and trees in the western and northern parts of the site.
“The land to the south has already been partially developed with an industrial building, and the wider area surrounding the site is in either industrial or in some form of commercial use.
“The closest properties are those of the existing commercial units on Shell Green, which have similar buildings to that being proposed in this application.
“The nearest residential properties are well separated from the site, to the north and north west on the opposite site of Fiddlers Ferry Road.”
At a meeting of the committee at Runcorn Town Hall, members unanimously backed the scheme, and agreed to delegate a decision to approve once an issue around a consultation on the layout of car parking has been resolved.
Addressing the meeting, Cllr Rob Polhill, said: “This is a good news story, there’s quite a few warehouses in this area and I’m happy to move this application.”