CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new logisitic hub in south Warrington will now go to public inquiry.

Developers Langtree want to build 3million sq ft of employment space close to the M56 and M6 in south Warrington.

However the application has raised huge objections in the area, as it is on green belt land.

After initially agreeing the plans earlier in the year, the Government has now completed a u-turn and says a public inquiry will be held to determine if the scheme should go ahead.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter has been lobbying ministers for the move.

He said: "Earlier this year I raised the concerns of many constituents in Parliament that a decision by Warrington councillors to press ahead with development on green belt ahead of the conclusion of the local plan should be the subject of a public inquiry.

"The Local Plan has yet to be adopted and decisions on building major logistic hubs should only be made when the infrastructure needs for the wider area are assessed rather than simply looking at it in a piecemeal fashion.

"Ministers have agreed that a public inquiry should be held and the secretary of state has used his powers to call-in the plans for review. Local residents can now have their say."

Langtree chief executive, John Downes, said there is a 'compelling economic case for the site'.

He added: “A review of this nature is not unexpected when set against the scheme’s scale and job-creation impact and I have instructed my team to begin work immediately to prepare the information that the Secretary of State and Planning Inspectorate will require.

“Our application is in-line with Warrington’s emerging local plan, which has identified the site as necessary for meeting its statutory employment land obligations.  We can demonstrate a clear and compelling economic case for the site and, as the economy enters a period of volatility, the ability to deliver job-creation on this scale will be vital to sustaining our communities.   So, too, will be the fillip it will provide in terms of the rates income generated.

“We’re ready to invest more than £180m in a local supply chain to develop the site which, when completed, will generate more than £216m a year in new economic output. Should the scheme be approved it will also generate more than £7m a year in new rates income for the council to invest in vital public services.

“Our focus now is ensuring that the Secretary of State has everything required to assess our case thoroughly during the Inquiry and we will then await the decision keenly.”