NEW commercial units are planned on the site of a business centre that was destroyed after a series of arson attacks.

The Haydock Street Business Centre was levelled after being severely damaged by fires in 2014 and 2017.

While one commercial unit was built on the site around four years ago – and is currently occupied by a gym – another three are now planned alongside the existing premises.

Lymm-based Snow North West Ltd has submitted an application for planning permission to Warrington Borough Council for the town centre site.

Submission documents stated: “The site is positioned to the east of an existing commercial unit on currently vacant land.

“The land was once the former Haydock Street Business Centre, which was demolished following a fire in February 2016 – the application site has been vacant since demolition.

“It is proposed to erect three small light industrial, storage or trade counter units.

“Future tenants may choose to fit out the spaces to suit their particular use.

“Scale and massing is in-keeping with surrounding properties, specifically the existing unit.

“Appearance is sympathetic to the styles and vernacular of immediately adjacent industrial properties and the proposed use of the site.”

Part of the Haydock Street Business Centre was flattened in late 2014 after what was believed to be a deliberate fire in the early hours of October 4 2014, with entry to the premises having been forced before it was started.

Firefighters spent 12 hours tackling the blaze.

Another fire then broke out in the part of the business centre that remained standing in February 2017.

James Swanson was jailed for 17 months later that year in connection with the second fire, having a duvet alight in the disused building in order to keep warm.

The 38-year-old, of Bolton, attempted to put the fire out with beer when the flames got out of control, but the premises was gutted and later bulldozed.