Omega Warrington submits plans for town transformation

The outline planning application for the next stage of Omega South, which includes the development of new homes and retail, leisure and community facilities in Warrington, has been submitted to the borough council.

Omega Warrington Ltd has proposed the construction of 1,100 new homes, as well as shops, food and drink venues, a hotel and a care home in the application.

The organisation is a joint venture between Edinburgh-headquartered firms KUC Properties Ltd and Miller Developments, launched in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency, which owns the land.

Submission of the application followed a local consultation carried out in May and June this year, with Millar Developments’ Andrew Sutherland commenting: “We would like to thank the 200 or so people who got involved in the consultation.

“Local knowledge and community ideas are vital in helping us to create the best possible environment and facilities on Omega South for the benefit of both new and existing residents.”

He added: “We were pleased that overall there was a good level of support and enthusiasm for the new retail, leisure and community facilities being proposed and the opportunity to provide more family and affordable housing.”

The status of the application is expected to be revealed before the end of Autumn 2015. If approved, Omega Warrington will begin seeking housebuilders to develop the residential plots.

The Homes and Communities Agency’s executive director for the North West, Karl Tupling, commented: “The development of Omega is one of the largest construction projects happening in the North West.

“It is also a great example of how, through working in conjunction with partners such as OWL, HCA land is being used to support Warrington Borough Council’s economic growth ambitions.”

Karl continued: “This will create significant employment opportunities and contribute to the delivery of the government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda.”

At this stage, Omega Warrington anticipates that the mixed-use and residential aspects of the development will see a phased delivery over the next 10 years.