PLANS to build a £180 million distribution hub in south Warrington have been submitted.

Developers Langtree and Panattoni have lodged an application proposing the major new employment site, named Six 56 Warrington, which is planned to create around 4,100 new logistics jobs.

It would provide 288,000 square metres of employment space and is being tipped to generate £7.1 million a year in business rates for the council.

If built, the hub would be located next to junction 20 of the M6 and junction nine of the M56 in Lymm.

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

John Downes, Langtree’s group chief executive, says the scheme will focus on providing key space for logistics businesses.

“It’s where the greatest demand lies and the jobs are much more diverse and better paid than people perhaps realise,” he said.

“The average salary in the sector is £28,000 and in a scheme of this type there will be a wide variety of roles available, from warehouse operatives to supply chain managers and highly-skilled technicians.

Warrington Guardian:

A map of the proposed Six 56 Warrington distribution hub

“This development is about ensuring that Warrington remains a competitive and relevant economy as the world of work evolves.”

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Furthermore, Mr Downes says it is Langtree’s ambition to ‘go one step further’ through delivering jobs in the local supply chain too.

“The impact of our investment will be magnified if we can engage local suppliers in the construction and operation of the scheme,” he added.

“We are therefore committed to working with partners to ensure, as far as possible, that contracts are placed with local firms.”

Langtree and Panattoni are bringing forward their proposals in response to the council’s draft local plan, which has identified a need for 362 hectares of new employment land up until 2037.

A nine-week public consultation starts on April 15.

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The planning application is expected to be heard by the development management committee in early summer.

If approved there would be an ‘intensive period’ of work involved before construction could begin, with tenants expected to occupy buildings from spring 2021.

The application will need to be validated before it is uploaded onto the council’s website.