Vision to ‘rediscover’ Mersey and deliver 8,000 town centre homes

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet is set to agree to have the document as its vision for the development of the area at next Monday’s meeting.

Town Hall chiefs say it will provide a flexible framework for growth, development and regeneration.

The masterplan includes a range of components including residential development totalling more than 8,000 homes, transport, business, culture, circular parklands, the high street and Port Warrington, which would see the delivery of a new international port-based employment area with direct links to the national rail freight network.

Furthermore, it sets out ambitions to ‘rediscover’ the Mersey, which it describes as ‘one of the world’s most famous waterways’, along with proposing an ‘illuminated river’ project.

The document says: “The River Mersey is one of Warrington’s greatest assets and is one of the main reasons for the town’s existence and growth.”

The River Mersey

The masterplan seeks to further reinforce the Mersey as a key feature of the borough partly by progressing new development areas orientated towards the river.

The council says it is a 'live' document, rather than a policy document, which will continually evolve and be revised.

In his report, leader Cllr Russ Bowden said it is a targeted plan which focuses on the economic growth and physical development of the heart of the town.

“It builds upon what’s special about the town centre – particularly its cultural assets, its locational advantages, its attractive architectural form and its waterfronts and green spaces,” he adds.

“Its aspiration is to create a town centre that is distinctive, green and colourful – a great place to live, to work, to do business and to enjoy – a real heart to our growing town.”