WORK on a major apartments development in the town centre – which had stalled – is back under way.

As reported in February last year, construction work on an apartments development in the town centre was understood to have halted.

The £56 million Cheshire Junction scheme on John Street has been expected to bring 362 new flats in an eight-storey block, alongside a car park with 796 spaces.

Builders first moved onto the site in early 2019 and the project had been well under way.

However, work on the scheme stalled.

And in December last year, it was reported that the developer behind the unfinished apartments scheme, the High Street Group, was applying to go into administration.

But an update has been provided on the development this week.

Warrington Borough Council chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “The development on John Street has now recommenced on site.

“Any significant modifications to the approved plans would be subject to a further planning application, but as yet, no other planning applications have been received.”

Insolvency & Law is a significant creditor of the High Street Group.

The Warrington Guardian has been told that as the High Street Group is in administration it will not be involved with the delivery of this site.

Furthermore, the administrators have recently been successful in extending the process for another two years, until December 2024.

Cllr Bob Barr, leader of Warrington’s Liberal Democrats, says the town centre is ‘undergoing an unprecedented transformation’ as apartment complexes are nearing completion and others are receiving planning permission.

He added: “The objectives: to improve Warrington’s housing delivery numbers, Warrington has been consistently underperforming against Government targets, take pressure off green belt development and increase the population of the town centre benefiting local businesses and footfall by providing high quality, though affordable, properties to rent are worthy and positive.

“However, these developments are encountering a very difficult economic climate. It is difficult to predict how much demand there will be for such accommodation. So far, the signs are good and early completions are letting well.

“Whether the overall demand matches the number of properties being built remains to be seen.

“We have seen such stop-go development in both Manchester and Liverpool where schemes are only completed when demand allows.

“Warrington needs to ensure that sites are not left half-built or derelict but provide an attractive environment during the building period as well as afterwards.”