HUNDREDS of new apartments could be built in the town centre as part of a new £51m development.

A total of 284 flats could be built on land on Winwick Street, in between Central Station and John Street.

The six-storey building will include parking for 256 cars in addition to 106 one-bedroom and 178 two-bedroom flats, which will be placed on the rental market.

Plans will also see new retail units opened facing on to Winwick Street plus a new public square beside Central Station.

The buildings which house Mike and Martha’s, Greenwoods of Cheshire, Prepped2Go, the Appliance Centre and the Star Kebab House that currently stand between John Street and the station are believed to be unaffected by the proposals.

Developer All Saints Living, a division of Newcastle-based the High Street Group, recently acquired the site and expects that planning permission could be granted by Warrington Borough Council in the next few days.

Work on the £51m project could then begin in the autumn.

Gary Forrest, founder and chairman of the High Street Group, said: “As the build to rent, or private rented sector, continues to grow due to demand for homes outstripping supply, we have taken this opportunity to develop these much needed homes.

“These are all exciting projects which we feel will enhance the towns and cities in which they are developed and I would like to thank all our partners for working so hard to help us make them possible.”

Previous work to build apartments on the site was halted when developers John S2 Limited went into administration at the end of 2008.

The foundations and iron girders of the building, which would have housed 284 luxury apartments, retail units and a play area, had been put into place before construction was stopped.

Firm directors had also mooted a hotel development on the site after work was halted.