External finishing touches to Junction Nine Retail Park expansion

Work began late last year to complete work which ceased years ago to extend Junction Nine Retail Park.

The units to the northern end were just a metal shell when work began, but they are now close to completion.

The roof has been completed and glass has been installed, with work almost complete on cladding to match the rest of the row of shops.

More car parking is available, complete with new tree planting and landscaping.

Work was also undertaken on two complete but vacant units next to Subway, with permission granted for a change of use to retail, as well as the installation of mezzanine floors.

Work continues on the extention of Junction Nine Retail Park

Documents submitted as part of the application state that the units will be occupied by Home Bargains and Poundland, with drawings suggesting the former will also include a café.

The current Home Bargains store looks set to move further to the north of the site, with it not clear as of yet what will move into its current unit.

Plans state: “The applicant has agreed to let all of the space within phase three to two tenants – a Poundland and Home Bargains – subject to the revisions sought by this consent.

“The application also takes the opportunity to reconfigure the car park layout to improve circulation and to resolve outstanding details such as landscaping.

“While the key focus of the scheme is to deliver the floorspace for the two tenants in phase three, it ensures that the residual areas in phase four are properly aligned to allow seamless delivery.”

Phase three relates to the partially built units to the northern end of the row, while phase four is for remaining vacant land to the very north of the site.

Work continues on the extention of Junction Nine Retail Park

Documents add: “The proposed space within phase three has not been in occupation.

“The ingoing tenants comprise two variety retailers which seek to secure representation in the borough consistent with their larger format business models.

“Both Poundland and Homes Bargains have committed to occupying this space upon release of consent and completion of landlord works.

“Landlord works include discharge of planning conditions and satisfaction of those requirements prior to occupation.”

A change of use is needed as present consent assumed that the units would be used for bulky goods retailing, whereas it is now the case that the ingoing tenants require use for the sale of food and drink goods.

Phase three is substantially complete and works would be necessary to adjust internal configuration and to replace some existing cladding which has been fire damaged.

Work continues on the extention of Junction Nine Retail Park

The area beyond the units has been surfaced but will be remodelled to provide part of a shared car park that will have a revised circulation approach, improved from the originally approved layout.

Plans say that phase four has not yet commenced, but that this can be undertaken in due course.

Documents add: “The land is part of a key but underutilised gateway into the town centre, as the A49 Winwick Road runs parallel to the site, connecting the M62 with Warrington town centre and the surrounding area.

“The retail park has vacancies, albeit that the position has improved in recent years through significant investment, with further occupations to follow in the northern part of the site, known as phases three and four.

“This application has a primary objective to secure full and immediate occupation of phase three.”