Five Warrington planning stories we reported in December

From demolitions to constructions, December was a busy month for developments in Warrington.

Here are five stories we told you to keep an eye on during December.

Unilever demolition

Warrington's Unilever site has stood for 130 years (Image: Newsquest)

Warrington's Unilever factory has stood since the 1890s, making it a familiar sight for anyone visiting the town over the last 130 years.

Last year, planning documents were submitted to assess the viability of demolishing the iconic Warrington structure, and in December it was finally approved for the factory to be torn down.

Demolition work is expected to begin this year, and it is anticipated that the work will take around 10 months to complete.

Lymm service station expansion

Lymm service station could be getting a parking expansion if plans are approved (Image: Maps)

The provision for HGV parking at Lymm's M6 service station could be set for an expansion if further plans are approved.

Documents show that it was not deemed necessary for further investigations into the site were required for planning permission to be sought, meaning that the development has moved into its second stage.

If approved, the plans will see a large expansion in the number of parking spaces available for HGVs and cars at the service station.

The ground has not been broken on the site, as full permission has not yet been granted by the council's planning committee - however, it is worth keeping an eye on our website for developments with this ongoing story.

Roadside cafe ordered off agricultural land

A roadside cafe has been ordered to leave the site by the council (Image: Maps)

A kerbside cafe in Cuerdley has been ordered away from the area by council planning bosses.

According to the council's planning portal, the kerbside eatery has erected an outdoor seating area that encroaches onto agricultural land and is therefore breaching planning regulations.

The council has given the cafe's owners until February to move off the land near Fiddler's Ferry power station.

Swish cocktail bar set for a rooftop terrace

The Grand will be getting a new rooftop terrace and bar (Image: Newsquest)

In December we reported that The Grand's application to construct a rooftop terrace and bar had been approved.

Developers estimate that this construction would allow the bar to contribute £1million to the local economy.

The bar is located at 122-126 Bridge Street, in the Alexandra Buildings, which were first constructed in the town centre in 1890.

The buildings once housed the very first cinema that opened in Warrington, before its final showing in 1952, and the original structure was demolished.

Formerly the night club 'Identity,' and takeaway 'Fusion,' the site has been home to The Grand since the bar opened in June 2021.

Omega retail park

Work continues at the Omega retail site (Image: Maps)

Work began last summer to build the shopping and leisure site, which will be home to a McDonald’s restaurant, Lidl supermarket and Costa Coffee shop.

Construction is underway on a five-acre plot of land at Omega South, off Whittle Avenue next to the roundabout junction with Burtonwood Road.

Steel framework and cladding has already been erected for some of the units following foundation work being completed on land formerly occupied by RAF Burtonwood airbase.

The development will continue this year.