Shortlist of six

for Omega site

FIFTEEN companies have shown an interest in developing the Omega site at Burtonwood and a short list of six has been drawn up.

Omega, part of the former Burtonwood Air Base, is one of the most important strategic sites in Europe and has been marketed on a worldwide basis by English Partnerships, the owners, and their agents, GVA Grimley, of Manchester.

Eliot Lewis-Ward, commercial land sales surveyor with English Partnerships, said the companies were major names, both national and international developers, and funding companies.

The 558 acre site, when developed, will bring 12,000 new jobs to Warrington, in the future.

The site will be linked to the M62 by the new £20m junction 8 which English Partnerships is funding.

English Partnerships have worked with Grimley on the process of whittling down the applicants. Warrington Borough Council have seen the shortlist and the North West Development Agency will also see it. Both are part of the steering group which will decide on the developer.

The next stage is that the six companies will be invited to submit detailed proposals.

In the long term, jobs on the site will focus on the major growth industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, IT and communications, automotive and biotech.