DEVELOPERS have been told to 'go home and have a serious think' after decisions on proposals to build more than 500 apartments in the town centre were deferred.

Two major applications came before the development management committee on Wednesday but members opted to push back their decisions – despite recommendations to approve both.

The applications were referred to the committee as they were 'not policy compliant'.

Lane End Developments Construction was seeking to demolish the former Kwik Save supermarket, on Academy Street, and build an apartment block with 144 properties.

And Palmus Developments' scheme proposed the construction of 362 apartments, as well as a public nine-storey car park with 796 spaces, on land on Winwick Street and John Street, following demolition work.

Ben Robinson, who was representing Lane End Developments Construction and Torus at Wednesday's meeting, confirmed Torus would be the 'end user' of the Academy Street site.

Cllr Peter Carey described the location as 'a focal point of the town centre'.

He said: "It is a sensitive area.

"I think we need to see it in more detail than we have in this set of papers.

"The fact the town is changing so much, we need that context I think to see how it fits in."

Furthermore, the applicant was criticised for not including any affordable housing in the plan.

Committee chairman Cllr Tony McCarthy said: "That is what we have been arguing for all over Warrington.

"A building of that size and no affordable housing does not sit well with us."

The decision was deferred, with additional information regarding the landscape, design and viability case requested.

Simon Pemberton, who spoke in favour of Palmus Developments' scheme, told members the properties are 'targeting a young professional who will create value in the local economy'.

He also said that, despite there being no affordable housing, rental levels would be 'relatively low'.

Cllr Carey called on the council's planning team to provide more information to inform the committee on how the recommendation was made.

He said: "We are asking for broad principles of how this decision has been calculated – we need to know the principles.

"We want to see policies that are going to be applied consistently.

"It is not for officers to say 'we have looked at that, we don't need to know'.

"We need a change of attitude."

Cllr McCarthy added: "I would like the developer on this one, and maybe the previous one, to go home and have a serious think about we have debated."

The committee deferred a decision and requested additional information regarding the viability case.