A ‘PERFECT storm’ has resulted in delays to building 144 apartments in Warrington town centre.

The site, on Academy Street, was formerly home to a Kwik Save.

Lane End Developments is working in partnership with Torus on the scheme.

In February 2020, it was reported that the development would have been completed in 18 months – but it is facing delays.

Torus has confirmed the site is programmed to be completed in spring 2022.

A spokesman said: “As with many construction sites across the country, Covid-19 impacted the original projected timelines for Academy Way.

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“From the three-month halt on site activity from March – May 2020, along with the implementation of new health and safety measures and reduced team capacity, in order to keep everyone safe, delays were unfortunately inevitable.

“Delays caused by Covid-19 were also compounded by the effects of Brexit and more recently, the worldwide shortage of materials across the construction sector.

“This perfect storm of issues has unfortunately impacted a number of Torus sites, with Academy Way being one, and we are now working hard to complete Academy Way by spring 2022.”

Tory MP Esther McVey visited the site in February 2020 while she was a housing minister, a role she was sacked from shortly after, as part of a reshuffle to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s top team.

During her visit, she welcomed Warrington’s 20-year town centre masterplan and said Warrington ‘certainly could be a very beautiful city’.

The masterplan, which was approved by the council’s cabinet in January 2020, includes the delivery of more than 8,000 homes.