Government to look again at potential call in of Six56 plans

Last month, it was confirmed that the Six56 project located next to the M6 and M56 at Lymm was set to go ahead after the Secretary of State opted not to call in the plans.

Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee approved planning permission for the 3.1million square foot proposals in March this year.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter had called for this decision to be reviewed by independent inspectors, but it was announced that Michael Gove had opted not to do so.

Now however, the council has been ‘directed not to grant permission on the application’ to ‘enable the Secretary of State to consider whether he should direct it be referred to him for determination’.

The letter was sent to the council by the planning casework unit for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The latest announcement has been welcomed by Mr Carter, who said: “Having raised this matter at Prime Minister’s Questions, I welcome this move by the Secretary of State.

“I have asked ministers to review the decision taken by the Planning Inspectorate, given the level of local concern raised and the fact that this land sits in the green belt.

“The size of this development is far greater than others which have been referred to public inquiry, and given the wider impact on local roads and strategic infrastructure, there should be a full inquiry to determine an outcome.”

A council spokesperson said: "We have received and acknowledge this letter.

“We await direction on how this letter corresponds with a previous letter from the Secretary of State which details the decision not to call in the application.

“This previous letter further highlights the importance of decisions being determined by local planning authorities. We will therefore seek clarity on the matter as soon as possible.”

Warrington South MP Andy Carter (Image: .)

Mr Carter, who was left ‘bitterly disappointed’ by the initial decision not to call in the plans, asked the Prime Minister ‘how residents can have their voices heard’ in the House of Commons.

Speaking in Parliament last month, the MP said: “The Planning Inspectorate waived through a decision by Labour councillors to build a massive logistics hub in south Warrington.

“The plans are country to national policy, entirely in the green belt, and have been approved despite more than a thousand letters of objection.

“Does the Prime Minister agree with me that listening to local communities and protecting our precious green belt must be at the heart of planning policy, and will he meet with me to see how local residents can have their voices heard?

In response, Boris Johnson said: “Local residents can have no more powerful voice than that of my honourable friend.

“The House will have heard him loud and clear, I know the Department for Levelling Up will have heard him loud and clear, and I will make sure he gets the relevant meeting.”

In a statement afterwards, Mr Carter added that he would be holding further meetings with ministers in the coming days to represent the views of constituents that have contacted him.

According to developer Langtree, the Six56 proposals will bring 4,000 new jobs to the town in what it describes as a ‘major boost’.

Following this latest development, Langtree chief executive John Downes said: “We have been made aware by Warrington Borough Council of a letter to them from the Secretary of State and understand this has suspended any further activity on issuing the planning permission.

“Six56 is a sound proposition based on evidence of demand and location within the borough, and we remain totally committed to the scheme.

“It represents an excellent opportunity to help meet the Government’s levelling up agenda, as well as allowing us to engage with Warrington’s local supply chain to multiply the value of our investment.

“We will now take advice and keenly await further guidance from the Secretary of State.”

The development is expected to net the council an additional £7.1million in rates per year, while work on the site was expected to begin in late 2023.