Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News

Colliery site’s plans are set out in detail

- BY OLIVER CLAY

HUGE plans to transform the former Cronton Colliery site into warehouses and a country club have taken another step forward with further detailed proposals filed for considerat­ion for approval.

The latest applicatio­n submitted to Knowsley Council by Tritax Symmetry Merseyside 1 Limited contained informatio­n relating to two of three large storage and distributi­on buildings on a plot north of Cronton Road.

Outline planning permission was granted following a 2020 applicatio­n, with permission now sought over specific details relating to scale, appearance, access and landscapin­g.

Residents in Halton have been invited to have their say on the project due to its proximity to Widnes.

A design and access statement (DAS) said the two warehouses would measure about 152,000 sq ft and 213,000 sq ft in size, complement­ing a third unit spanning 161,000 sq ft already granted permission.

Proposed heights of between 10 and 20 metres have been submitted for approval, featuring “high quality” materials such as silver, metallic or grey-colour cladding.

Access to the site would be from Cronton Road, about half a kilometre from the junction with Fox’s Bank Lane.

A layout plan submitted with the applicatio­n showed that much of the south east corner would be occupied by a pond, bordered by woodland to the south, in addition to woods, grassland and wildflower­s as part of a 65-acre country park – previously described as “stunning” by Tritax Symmetry.

The Cronton Colliery redevelopm­ent would form part of the wider Halsnead Garden Village scheme, comprising 1,600 homes and a forecast for the creation of up to 830 jobs during constructi­on and 900 general roles.

Tritax has forecast the project would generate around £46m a year in economic gains.

Full details can be found on Knowsley Council’s website.

Halton Council said public consultati­on is open until today, April 28.

Knowsley Council is aiming to decide the matter by June 14.

 ?? ?? ● Part of this wetland may be given over to form a county park
● Part of this wetland may be given over to form a county park

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