A £190 million deal to breathe new life into a forgotten corner of Warrington town centre has been agreed.

The outline masterplan for the regeneration of the ‘Stadium Quarter’ - the disused land between Warrington Central Station and The Halliwell Jones Stadium’ - has now been agreed.

And Warrington Borough Council has announced Iliad - a Liverpool based developer - will carry out the work which is set to be complete by 2024.

Work on the first stage, worth more than £90million, will begin in January next year.

As well as businesses, leisure use and housing, the scheme includes an ambitious plan for a university on the land.

The total work will create 1,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent position when all the work is finished in 2024.

It is the latest plan for the area following the collapse of the Wireworks scheme which has promised a cinema, restaurants and apartments.

Clr Terry O’Neill, leader of the council, said: “This marks the start of a very exciting chapter in the regeneration of our town centre and forms part of our ambitious plans to breathe new life into the area.

“Iliad has an excellent track record of urban regeneration and we are looking forward to working with them and delivering this scheme.”

The project will be managed by Warrington & Co, which was set up as a partnership between Warrington Borough Council, business leaders and key organisations to help drive economic growth.

Steve Park, managing director at Warrington & Co, said: “Warrington is booming economically as we outstrip our rivals.

“Omega is already well under way and it is great to be bringing forward this town centre scheme and revitalising and re-energising this core area of town.”

The masterplan is currently a draft and will be finalised following more consultation.

David Anastasiou, from Iliad, said: “This development is potentially a ‘game changer’ for the whole of Warrington, it will anchor and assist in the redevelopment of the downtown area offering uses that are supplemental to the retail and leisure offer.

“Iliad is excited at the positive response that Warrington Borough Council has shown and very much looks forward to playing our part in the renaissance of this important area of Warrington.”