382 comments lodged on Trident Business Park application

382 representations have been made on the application, which is available to view on Warrington Borough Council's online planning portal.

The planning application would see the expansion of Trident Business Park with the creation of a new warehouse following the demolition of properties adjacent to the site, which include the Noggin Inn.

The plans would see the Noggin demolished (Image: Newsquest)

Plans were first lodged in December 2021, and the developers - St Modwen Logistics - have been engaged in a planning battle with residents and local councillors ever since.

Birchwood Town Council has unanimously voted to stand against the proposals, and a group of Risley residents has also come together to oppose any potential developments.

Now, the latest consultation window on the planning applications has come to a close, with hundreds of new objections being made to the plans.

As a total, more than 380 representations have been made on the relevant page on the council's planning portal, with the majority of these representations being objections.

It should be noted that some of these representations have been made by the same people, so the number of individuals who have objected will be fewer than the total number of representations on account of this.

When speaking to the Warrington Guardian in a sit-down interview, members of the Risley residents' group said: "This has no place in the heart of a village, it's just not a logical mix."

A digital mock-up shows that the warehouse would be visible from street-level behind properties in Risley (Image: St Modwen Logistics)

The residents added: "They're trying to cram everything in here, and Risley - one of Warrington's oldest communities - is slowly being eradicated."

Another member explained that they had been in touch with an estate agent, who suggested that any development of this scale could wipe up to 20 per cent off the value of some homes in the vicinity.

Hundreds of objections were logged by the council regarding the plans.

One objection lodged on the planning portal says: "The local and surrounding area road infrastructure is not designed to cope with this level of traffic.

"Only recently, HGV traffic was restricted on Warrington Road, and now you are proposing this level of traffic, which will have a massive impact from a noise and air pollution point of view, to say nothing of the impact on road safety."

One of the objections to the application came from Croft Parish Council, which reads: "Croft Parish Council objects to this development on the grounds of the extra traffic, probably HGVs mostly, that would no doubt end up coming through the village.

"This traffic would also have an additional strain on Warrington Road and surrounding areas if this is used to access the site.

"This proposed depot is not too dissimilar in size to the Amazon depot on Omega, close to the M62 at junction 8.

"A huge distribution depot operating 14 bays 365 days a year so close to a residential area is unacceptable.

"Other concerns from residents and councillors alike are around air pollution and noise pollution."

The objection concludes: "This application would have the potential to negatively affect the surrounding areas for many years to come."

The map shows the area eyed for development (Image: St Modwen Logistics)

When residents' gripes were raised with St Modwen by the Warrington Guardian, a spokesperson said: "Following extensive engagement with local residents, councillors and occupiers late last year, St. Modwen has submitted revised redevelopment plans for Trident Business Park, including softening the design, reducing the height, and bolstering our landscaping plans.

"Our plans for Trident Business Park will transform the outdated parts of the site into a modern, sustainable business park fit for the future, creating employment opportunities and substantial economic growth for the local area.”

The 'extensive engagement' has been called into question, after it came to light that the developers have only consulted with residents through one public meeting, and delivered fewer than 50 information leaflets to nearby residences.

This application is currently under consideration by Warrington Borough Council's planning committee, with a decision due to be made by Monday, May 1.