A MAJOR 24-hour distribution hub could form part of a 'garden city suburb' identified in Warrington's local plan proposals.

A request for an environmental impact assessment scoping opinion in relation to the proposed development has been lodged to the council.

Spawforths, on behalf of Langtree Property Partners and First Panattoni, will be submitting an outline planning application for the development of the site, which will be accompanied by an environmental statement.

It will propose the construction of up to 325,150m2 of employment floorspace on the land – adjacent to junction 20 of the M6 and junction 9 of the M56 at Lymm – following demolition work.

The land is bounded by Grappenhall Lane and Cliff Lane to the north, with the motorway slip road to the east.

The local plan preferred development option (PDO) has identified the area for future employment land as an extension of the Barleycastle Trading Estate.

But it would see a huge chunk of the borough’s green belt land released.

The authority put forward two main employment locations in its PDO.

This site subject to the scoping opinion request falls within one of the two main sites, with the other being Port Warrington.

It is planned to form part of a 'garden city suburb' – a proposal which has angered residents across south Warrington.

If built, the centre will primarily be used for storage, distribution and office space, with operations likely to be going for 24 hours.

But demolition work will also need to be carried out.

Bradley Hall Farm consists of farm house and a series of farm buildings, as well as a number of neighbouring residential properties that are all within the application site.

The farm buildings will be demolished as part of the proposals.

However, two options will be considered for the residential houses located to the north of Bradley Hall Farm – they could either remain in place, or be demolished.

A statement in the environmental impact scoping report said: "The proposed development will be designed to limit impacts on the historic environment including the Bradley Hall moated site and those listed buildings that lie to the south of the proposed development.

"Design, style, materials, layout and positioning will be carefully considered where feasible to limit any adverse impact and to enhance any receptors that will be affected.

"Landscape mitigation will also be incorporated to soften adverse impacts, where appropriate.

"In addition to this, consideration of the demolition of buildings within the Bradley Hall Farm complex will also be undertaken to determine if the designated assets would benefit from such proposals."

The council confirmed that, following the receipt of a request, it has a statutory requirement to provide a scoping opinion.