A HUGE new warehousing scheme in Cheshire will go ahead after the Secretary of State opted not to call in the plans.

Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee approved planning permission for Six 56 Warrington, which will be located next to the M6 and M56 at Lymm, in March this year.

While Warrington South MP Andy Carter had called for this decision to be reviewed by independent inspectors, it has been announced that Michael Gove has opted not to do so.

It is expected that developer Langtree’s 3.1million sq ft proposals will bring 4,000 new jobs to the town in what it described as a ‘major boost’.

Chief executive John Downes said: “This is a major milestone for the development of Warrington’s economy as it seeks to adapt to changing market conditions.

“In his letter, the Secretary of State has acknowledged that local authorities are best placed to decide what is right for their community and this news will not only unlock £180million of development but generate substantial rates income each year for investment in local services.”

The development is expected to net WBC an addition £7.1million in rates per year, with work onsite expected to begin in late 2023.

Mr Downes added: “It’s a very sustainable site and the north west is currently suffering from under-supply of logistics space.

“The sector pays well, with average salaries around £29,000 a year.

“In a development of this size there will be lots of roles available, from entry-level up to senior technical and managerial jobs.

“The impact of our investment will be multiplied if we can engage local suppliers in the construction and operation of the scheme, and we are committed to ensuring as many contracts as possible go to local firms.”

Mr Carter meanwhile says he is disappointed with Mr Gove’s decision not to call in the plans.

He said in a statement: “I am bitterly disappointed at this decision and sadly we end up with the worst of all worlds, piecemeal planning, taking green belt without taking account of the wider needs of the local area.

“I’ve been asked how we stopped previous Stobart development but couldn’t halt this logistics park.

“Sadly the fundamental difference is that Labour have now submitted the Local Plan for inspection, which means prematurity – ie developers identifying a speculative piece of land – is no longer applicable as the location is clearly identified in the local plan for employment use.

“My anger is that our town centre is being hollowed out and all around Warrington we have a ring of large warehouses, destroying the green belt and at the same the Labour council is failing to address the infrastructure needed to accommodate the growth planned.

“I am seeking an urgent meeting with ministers to raise my concerns again.”

Meanwhile, Appleton Tory Cllr Mark Jervis said: “The Conservative Group is very disappointed by this decision made by the Secretary of State.

"The threat from the destruction of a vast swathe of green belt in south Warrington is wholly attributable to Labour councillors on the development management committee who voted en masse in March to impose this flawed scheme on the residents of south Warrington.

“We will continue to seek to protect our valuable Green Belt from all the threats posed by Labour’s new Local Plan.

"The residents of south Warrington will not forgive Labour for this green belt vandalism.”