EMPTY and derelict, the barren land surrounding the former Parkside Colliery site has lay dormant since the colliery closed.

But under plans by Astral Developments the 672 acres of land that straddles the M6 will be turned into a rail freight distribution centre whichwould see major changes to the motorway network through Warrington.

Chief among the plans for the site include the expansion of the M6 northbound carriage to four lanes up to a new junction 22, which would be moved to the development from its current Winwick location.

Campaigners in favour of the development say that it could bring up to 10,000 new jobs, but objectors from groups including Parkside Action Group (PAG) contest the figures and say that it would bring more road misery for people travelling on both the motorway and surrounding roads.

Since 2006, planners at both Warrington and St Helens councils have been evaluating the plans and Wigan Metropolitan Council has already objected to the plans for the impact the traffic would have on its roads.

Two and a half years later the developers hope to see the plans being discussed by the council.

John Holmes, from Astral Developments, said: “We expected the application to take some considerable time, the issues are complex and major.

“We are now getting very close to the stage where the councils are looking to make considerations.”

PAG is currently fighting the proposal on two fronts: with a Local Development Framework draft by St Helens Council proposing to take the bulk of the site out of green belt protection.

Dave Tyas, chairman of the group said: “The general message we get is they are still looking at it and there are more issues.”

The site had recently joined Omega on a list of developments being considered by the Government for the now defunct Titan prisons.

But the developers say they knew nothing of the Government interest.

They are not expecting to get on site any time in the near future should planning permission be granted but, despite the economic downturn, believe the advance in interest in rail-freight distribution will help to make the site an attractive prospect for companies.

“If the economy hasn’t recovered in that time we would be surprised and nervous,” added Mr Holmes.

But the economic impact on towns like Warrington could affect the scheme say PAG.

It sites West Lancashire District Council which opposes Parkside fearing a number of distribution centres based in Skelmersdale could relocate to the site.

Mr Tyas added: “It is competitive to Omega and I’m sure Warrington council realise this.”

John Groves, development services manager at the council said: “The council are in close communication with colleagues at St Helens Borough Council and the Highways Agency regarding the impact of this development on the local highway network across both councils’ areas of responsibility.”

For now the future of the development is far from decided with residents and developers alike still waiting for it to get to the planning stage.