WARRINGTON Borough Council anticipates a developer will begin work to turn land formerly home to Wilderspool Stadium into housing in the next year.

In February 2019, the council’s development management committee granted planning permission for the scheme, on Fletcher Street, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

Furthermore, in March 2023, proposals to build the homes on the land were again approved.

At the time, councillors were told that, given the committee’s decision was taken in February 2019, it was considered ‘appropriate’ to return the application to members to ‘reconfirm their resolution’ to grant planning permission subject to a Section 106 agreement and conditions – including an additional condition.

The stadium was demolished in 2014.

A report titled ‘southern gateway land disposal’ will come before the council’s cabinet at its meeting next Tuesday.

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The purpose of the report to cabinet at its meeting next Tuesday is to seek delegated approval to enable the council, as shareholder of the joint venture Wire Regeneration Ltd, to ‘approve the disposal of a parcel of land within its ownership in accordance with the terms of the joint venture agreement’.

The housing development – which is to be known as Bevan Mews – is in line with the regeneration masterplan for the Southern Gateway, according to a report to cabinet.

The council has confirmed that the disposal of this land being approved to enable the Bevan Mews development, on the land formerly home to Wilderspool Stadium, to be completed.

A spokesman added: “Outline planning permission is sought for up to 160 homes.

“An update report seeking a resolution to grant planning permission subject to conditions and S106 is due to be considered by development management committee on 23 May 2024, which will take into account the recently adopted Local Plan.

“If approved, a further reserved matters application will be submitted before building work starts and the exact number of houses will be identified then.”

The cabinet is recommended to approve the consents required as shareholder of Wire Regeneration Ltd to enable Wire Regeneration Ltd to proceed as set out in the Part 2 report, which will be discussed in private.

Members are also recommended to approve delegating authority to the director of corporate services (Section 151 officer) to enter any documents in order approve the council’s decision as shareholder in Wire Regeneration Ltd, as well as delegating authority to the director of law and governance (monitoring officer) to enter any associated documents required to give effect to the shareholder approval.

The report to cabinet says the cabinet is recommended to proceed with approval as shareholder of Wire Regeneration Ltd to ‘secure the delivery of the residential development in line with the council’s vision for the area’, as ‘it is clear’ that the property disposal represents best consideration for Wire Regeneration Ltd and the council as a 50 per cent shareholder, and ‘CBRE has recommended approval of the Edwards Homes Ltd offer’.

The council has been asked when it is expected that Edwards Homes will begin work on the site.

The spokesman said: “This is dependent on planning and other issues for Edwards Homes but we anticipate it will be in the next 12 months.

“Any developer would have five years from the date of the planning permission to start work.”