A £10 million vision to transform the heart of the borough with 'the largest town centre residential development' in more than 50 years is gathering pace.

Blueprints to turn the vacant office block at Kings Court, on Scotland Road, into 32 apartments were put before council planning chiefs in December.

However, Stockton Heath-based applicant Bondbay Ltd withdrew the application last month and amended it after being informed permission was already in place for 26 apartments.

An application for four more units has since been submitted.

The development, which makes up phase one, is likely to be finished by the end of the year.

The next stage will see a further 50 apartments built, on Town Hill, with the next phase including a possible demolition of the bridge, which crosses Scotland Road.

If permission is in place, the bridge could come down next year before a further 30 apartments are constructed during phase four.

Dominic Jude, who is originally from Grappenhall and studied at Warrington Collegiate, is majority shareholder of Bondbay Ltd.

The 48-year-old said the company 'wanted to talk to the town' about the vision.

He added: "I am a Warrington lad and – though I haven't lived in the town for more than 10 years – this is where my roots are.

"Myself and Fred Done, owner of Betfred, were partners working on high end residential developments in London. I bought Fred out in 2010.

"To be able to come back to my hometown and invest here is something I feel strongly about.

"I am investing in excess of £10 million into this scheme.

"With support from the council and Warrington & Co I hope to do that.

"This is the first phase of four – as long as we get the relevant planning permissions for the other phases.

"The groundfloor space is staying the same – but the first, second and third floors will be turned into cutting edge designed executive apartments.

"They will include some underground parking and be centrally located.

"This will play a big part in the regeneration, which will breathe life back into the town centre.

"Warrington needs residential in the middle of the town centre to make it come alive again.

"We are hoping to develop more than 100 apartments on this site.

"I understand this would be the largest Warrington town centre residential development for more than 50 years.

"This also ties in with the council's plans to build 1,000 new homes close to the area we are regenerating.

"Plans may include removal of the bridge – if we get the required permission.

"There would be a new entrance opened up at Scotland Road.

"We are looking for alternative means for pedestrian access to make it easier for people to access the link, which will be opened up."

Part of the work at the site has started.