DEVELOPMENTS proposed for Birchwood's Trident Business Park are causing unease for residents and businesses alike.
As reported in the Warrington Guardian last week, residents are outraged over the proposals to expand the business park - the planning application has been condemned by Birchwood Town Council.
One business has recently moved off the industrial site, over fears they would have been 'turfed out' as a result of the expansion.
Mountaineerin Ltd. is an outdoor adventuring company that organises events including climbing Mt Everest, and tackling the 'Three Peaks' challenge.
Simon Ogunlana runs the business alongside his wife, Pam - he said: "I received a letter saying that St Modwen [the owners of the site] had put a planning application in for redevelopment of the part of the site we occupied.
"Once we received the letter we felt pressured to make a decision. If we signed a new lease they would only have three months to ask us to leave rather than six like the old lease, and more importantly, we’d have to find somewhere else."
An awesome 4 days leading this months 3 Peaks in 3 Days team. It’s been wet and wild and that hasn’t dampened the team spirit at all. Great effort team! #national3peaks pic.twitter.com/lsbQS728fv
— Mountaineerin Ltd (@Mountaineerin) July 24, 2022
Simon explained that business units for small companies aren't commonplace anymore, and it was incredibly difficult to find a new unit with such good motorway links - links that are crucial for his business to survive.
He added: "We finally left after six years, and our new unit on a different site costs £900 more per month."
Residents and councillors of the local area have rallied against the planning proposals, calling it 'a monstrosity.'
A spokesperson for St Modwen said: "We submitted revised plans to redevelop Trident Business Park, delivering two new sustainable warehouses and providing employment opportunities and substantial economic growth to the local area.
"Throughout the planning process, we have liaised closely with Trident Business Park tenants offering support to those remaining on-site including helping occupiers find alternative premises if required.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel