‘DESPERATELY needed’ housing on land formerly home to Wilderspool Stadium look set for approval.

An outline application for up to 160 homes on the land, on Fletcher Street, will come before the development management committee at its meeting tomorrow, Thursday.

It is being recommended for approval, subject to conditions, with delegated authority given to the development manager to make minor amendments to planning conditions and reasons as may be necessary prior to the issue of the decision.

Furthermore, it is recommended that, in the event that the Section 106 legal agreement remains unsigned six months after this resolution, that the application is reviewed by the development manager and if ‘no meaningful progress’ is being made to sign an agreed Section 106 agreement then delegated authority is given to the development manager to refuse the application in the absence of an agreed Section 106 agreement, without which the development will be ‘unacceptable in planning terms’.

In February 2019, the council’s development management committee granted planning permission for the scheme, on Fletcher Street, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

Furthermore, in March 2023, proposals to build the homes on the land were again approved.

At the time, councillors were told that, given the committee’s decision was taken in February 2019, it was considered ‘appropriate’ to return the application to members to ‘reconfirm their resolution’ to grant planning permission subject to a Section 106 agreement and conditions – including an additional condition.

The stadium was demolished in 2014.

A report titled ‘southern gateway land disposal’ came before the council’s cabinet at its meeting yesterday, Tuesday.

Cllr Denis Matthews, cabinet member for finance, assets and investments, said the development of the southern gateway is a ‘regeneration priority’ of the council.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care, said: “Myself and Cllr Matthews are councillors for this area and it’s certainly been on my radar for a long, long time – looking at that empty stadium land, and asking when are we going to get homes that our residents so desperately need?

“And actually there is a lot of support for building in that area, getting the right homes in the right place that will enhance the area and that is what we are looking to see, so I’m pleased to see this coming forward, as a little bit of progress towards that end.”

Council leader Cllr Hans Mundry says he thinks it is a ‘good use’ of brownfield land.

The purpose of the report to cabinet was to seek delegated approval to enable the council, as shareholder of the joint venture Wire Regeneration Ltd, to ‘approve the disposal of a parcel of land within its ownership in accordance with the terms of the joint venture agreement’.

As recommended, the cabinet approved delegating authority to the director of corporate services (Section 151 officer) to enter any documents in order approve the council’s decision as shareholder in Wire Regeneration Ltd, as well as delegating authority to the director of law and governance (monitoring officer) to enter any associated documents required to give effect to the shareholder approval.

The report to cabinet said the cabinet was recommended to proceed with approval as shareholder of Wire Regeneration Ltd to ‘secure the delivery of the residential development in line with the council’s vision for the area’, as ‘it is clear’ that the property disposal represents best consideration for Wire Regeneration Ltd and the council as a 50 per cent shareholder, and ‘CBRE has recommended approval of the Edwards Homes Ltd offer’.

As reported last week, the council confirmed that the disposal of this land being approved to enable the Bevan Mews development, on the land formerly home to Wilderspool Stadium, to be completed.

The council was also asked when it is expected that Edwards Homes will begin work on the site.

A spokesman said: “This is dependent on planning and other issues for Edwards Homes but we anticipate it will be in the next 12 months.

“Any developer would have five years from the date of the planning permission to start work.”