Eddie Stobart confident new £75m warehouse plans will be approved

The firm’s proposals to build a national distribution centre were turned down by the council in November.

However, a new application is being submitted and residents will have the chance to attend a public exhibition over the plans.

The company’s current headquarters – which the council has bought – are located at Stretton Green Distribution Park.

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The new facility would be constructed opposite the existing site, on land north of Barleycastle Lane, and in addition to its current site.

An Eddie Stobart spokesman said: “Several observations were made about the previous application.

“We have taken account of these and spent considerable time looking again at the scheme.

“We are now confident that the application will fully detail the advantages to Warrington and the significant very special circumstances to support the development.

“We therefore propose to resubmit the application to the council.”

As part of the very special circumstances highlighted for building in the green belt, the company had pointed to the £570 million of turnover each year from its Warrington headquarters.

However, councillors on the development management committee decided the economic benefits did not outweigh harm to the green belt.

But Eddie Stobart believes the fresh proposals ‘represent a commitment’ to grow its base and create more than 700 jobs, in addition to a planned £6 million investment into roads and transport in the area.

The leading supply chain, transport and logistics firm is writing to more than 800 households and businesses in the area to ensure everyone who might be affected has the chance to meet the project team, see the plans, find out more and have their say.

The exhibition will be held next Wednesday in the main reception area at Eddie Stobart’s Stretton Green Distribution Park site, on Langford Way, from 4pm to 7pm.