THE former contractor on a major town centre apartments development has been placed into administration.

Construction work on the £56million Cheshire Junction scheme, which will see 362 flats built in an eight-storey block on Winwick Street, stalled in November last year.

Warrington Guardian:

How the development could look

Workers are believed to have downed tools amid a payment dispute between contractor Nobles Construction and developer the High Street Group.

The two parties had been set for a courtroom battle, with the former business having launched adjudication proceedings against HSG-owned Palmus Developments claiming it was owed dues for work carried out.

Now, industry news outlet Construction Enquirer is reporting that Nobles has entered administration.

MB Insolvency has been appointed as the administrator for the Liverpool-based firm, which was founded in 1995 and employed around 60 staff.

It is understood that a new contractor has since been appointed to the project, and that construction work on the former industrial site at the junction with John Street has since resumed.

Warrington Guardian:

A completion date of early 2022 is anticipated, with previous estimates having expected completion in spring this year.

Builders first moved onto the site in 2019, with the external frame having been completed before work was halted.

Construction of external walls had begun, with a fit-out to follow.

Warrington Guardian:

A previous scheme was also plagued by what would prove to be fatal issues, with developer John S2 Limited having been placed into administration due to the financial crash of 2008.

The foundations and iron girders of the building – which would have housed 284 luxury apartments, retail units and a play area – had been installed but stood untouched for around a decade afterwards.

Warrington Guardian:

The site as it looked in 2017

Firm directors had also mooted a hotel development on the site following the collapse of this ill-fated project.

The latest plans – which include a ‘living green wall’ and a seventh-floor sky lounge – comprise of a mix of one and two-bedroom flats, as well as a commercial unit and a café at ground level.