PLANS for a new ‘state-of-the-art’ Eddie Stobart warehouse have been revealed, with the proposal tipped to bring more than 700 new jobs to the town.

A new £75m warehouse facility will be constructed at the logistics firm’s Appleton base under an application for planning permission submitted to Warrington Borough Council.

The 630,000sq ft building, which would be built in addition to Eddie Stobart’s current home at Stretton Green Distribution Park, will create 480 permanent jobs on the site and support another 250 off-site employees.

Alex Laffey of Eddie Stobart Logistics said: “We moved our headquarters to Warrington in 2014 and have invested heavily in our facilities, adding a training academy in 2016.

“This development would make a significant contribution to achieving our strategic growth objectives and supports our commitment to Warrington, and to the Northern Powerhouse project.

“I am sure the people of Warrington and Warrington Borough Council will agree that this is great news for the borough, and will support our planning application and the creation of hundreds of jobs.”

The news comes as a timely boost to warehousing in Warrington, two months after it was announced that 450 jobs would be lost due to the closure of Marks and Spencer’s distribution centre in Woolston.

Phillip Morris, from developers Liberty Properties, added: “This is one of the largest projects we have taken on in the north west, and certainly one of the most important.

“At a time when warehousing jobs are disappearing from the area, securing planning permission would allow Eddie Stobart Logistics to create hundreds of them.

“The whole Liberty Properties team has worked with senior council officers to ensure that the development will be a positive addition for the residents of Warrington, future employees and the north west region.

“This facility, when completed, will add £18m per year to the Warrington economy.”