A PLANNING application for the development of the £500 million Omega business site in Warrington could be in by the end of the year.

The revelation came as town hall bosses discussed a new inward investment campaign last week.

David Carr, of English Partnerships, said the winner of the contract for the site, which is fast becoming one of the most important strategic plots in the north west, could be announced by July.

That would hopefully be followed by a planning application at the end of the year.

Omega is 600 acres of land, will create a minimum of 12,000 jobs and has a price tag of at least £500 million.

It is a key part of the economic future of Warrington and the region which will be opened up by the development of the new junction 8 on the M6, of which work is underway.

When the tender first went out, 15 businesses from around the world expressed an interest. They were shortlisted to five and they have now been cut to three.

A final winner will be selected on the basis of criteria involving their scheme design, financial strength and financial bid.