Member Article

Logistics and manufacturing development plans for site of former Cheshire airbase

Omega Warrington Ltd (OWL) has just submitted a further planning application for 2.1m sq ft of manufacturing and logistics space on ‘Zone 7’, part of its 575-acres, development site, at Junction 8 of the M62 in Warrington.

The area occupies much of the site of the former Burtonwood air base, operated at different times by both the RAF and USAAF, and which played a key role in the Second World War.

The outline application also includes detailed plans for a new access road to Junction 8 of the M62 plus a 35 acres, ‘Green Heart’ for wildlife preservation.

The ‘Zone 7’ application follows the success of logistics development on Omega North and part of Omega South where over 1.6m sq ft of B8 occupiers have been secured since the end of 2012 for Brakes, Hermes, Travis Perkins and ASDA.

This next stage of development is set within the context of a wider Omega Masterplan which seeks to deliver a high quality, mixed-use development of commercial uses (offices, logistics and manufacturing), 1,100 new homes, a school, retail and restaurants/bars/hotel.

Andrew Sutherland, joint MD for Miller Developments, which is a joint shareholder with a subsidiary of RBS plc in OWL, said: “Omega has proved itself to be one of the fastest growing logistics locations in the UK and demand from new potential occupiers is strong.

“We are therefore seeking to maintain the momentum created on Omega North and with the first phase of activity in the South, that has already secured in the region of £200m of private sector investment.

“We have been working with our partners at the HCA, Warrington Borough Council and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP on the masterplan for several years; this will be the first planning application reflecting the agreed approach on Omega South.”

In anticipation of a planning consent, OWL is in the process of preparing a contract for the next phase of infrastructure works which it hopes to award in the spring.

Pending a positive planning outcome, further detailed planning applications will come forward for Zone 7 as and when occupiers are secured. OWL is currently in advanced discussions with a number of major occupiers who looking to take business space on Omega South.

Following internal partner approvals, it is expected that further planning applications will come forward for the remaining sites on Omega South, for residential and mixed-uses, later in 2014.

OWL is a joint venture between Miller Developments and KUC Properties Ltd (part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Real Estate Asset Management), in partnership with landowner the Homes and Communities Agency and supported by Warrington Borough Council and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .