A NUMBER of developers have expressed interest in the town centre Cabinet Works site – with the land expected to become home to a hotel.

The Cabinet Works and Garnett’s water tower, on Barbauld Street, were demolished in 2018 following concerns over public safety.

An update will be provided to the supporting the local economy policy committee during its meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday.

A report to members says Gerald Eve Surveyors has undertaken a marketing report, with recommendations for the development and use of the Cabinet Works site for hotel use.

It added: “The marketing strategy is currently being progressed internally prior to this site being brought to the market.

“There remains interest in the site from a number of developers and operators.”

The report also highlights a number of transport-related matters, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

It states the council’s position on HS2 remains unchanged.

The Labour-run authority supports HS2 but opposes the Golborne link section of the route given its ‘substantial economic and environmental’ impact on Warrington, combined with it in isolation having what the council believes is a ‘very weak’ business case representing poor value for money.

The report said: “However, it is important that if the Golborne link does in the end go ahead that officers continue to liaise with HS2 Limited on a wide range of issues associated with the scheme detail including lobbying for Wigshaw Lane (a key route connecting Croft with Culcheth) not to be severed by the scheme and for the impact of the scheme to be reduced on the cemetery at Hollins Green.

“HS2 Limited have also started discussions with the council on other issues such as public rights of way, environmental survey work and planning of the construction phase, including the potential sites needed for construction compounds and access.

“Potentially, NPR could bring a truly transformational improvement to rail journey times, frequencies and capacity across the North of England, with Warrington being included as a key part of this scheme.

“Scheme development is ongoing, with the latest programme indicating work on this strategic outline case is intended for completion later in 2021.

“This is expected to follow the publication by Government of the integrated rail plan (IRP), in which it is anticipated that greater clarity of the Government plans for NPR will emerge.

“Warrington and partners continue to lobby for a station stop on the NPR line in Warrington, but details of preferred route option will only be known following publication of the IRP and subsequent strategic outline case.”