FEARS over highway safety means plans for new commercial units planned on the site of a business centre that was destroyed after a series of arson attacks have been refused.

The Haydock Street Business Centre in Warrington town centre was levelled after being severely damaged by fires in 2014 and 2016.

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

But the application has been turned down by planning officers this week.

They say there is not enough information about whether suitable protection would be in place to stop ground gas which may affect the units.

And there was also concern about how HGVs would access the site.

A spokesman said: "There would be an increased incidence of parking or loading on John Street or Haydock Street which would cause unacceptable obstruction in terms of safety and in terms of the operation of the road network.

"Overall, there would be would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, and the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe."

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  – 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 2016.

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.