TRANSFORMATIONAL development of the town centre has moved one step closer after the council served a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to land owners.

The CPO will allow the council to acquire a number of commercial premises, both temporary and permanent, to facilitate the later phases of the £107 million Bridge Street Quarter project.

Documents have been served to all land owners, tenants and occupiers directly affected around the area, while notices have been dotted around Bridge Street.

The council is set to submit the order to the secretary of state for communities and local government for confirmation, after which it hopes to acquire the authorisation to purchase the land for the purpose of carrying out development.

Any objections, which must state the the objector's grounds of objection, address and interests in the land, must be made in writing to the secretary of state before September 24.

But the council is confident it has a 'robust case' for justifying the use of its compulsory purchase powers to deliver the scheme.

A spokesman added: "Depending on what objections to the CPO are received, the CPO may be the subject of a public inquiry, which is estimated to be held in spring 2016, with the outcome known in autumn 2016.

"In the meantime, the council will continue with its efforts to acquire the relevant land and interests by voluntary agreement and is optimistic that this will be possible in the majority of cases."

A new council office complex, 2,000-seat IMAX cinema, market hall, public square, restaurants and multi-story car park will feature once development is completed.

The council has confirmed the 'main elements' of the project will be open in the middle of 2019.

Hard copies of the CPO are available for the public to inspect at Contact Warrington, on Horsemarket Street.

For further information visit warrington.gov.uk/bridgestreetquarter.