A NEW industrial estate is planned on a site bordering one of a Cheshire town's busiest routes.

Developer Network Space has announced that it has purchased 4.8 acres of land at the gasworks off Winwick Road, Warrington, from the National Grid for an ‘undisclosed sum’.

And it says it is now preparing an application for planning permission to Warrington Borough Council in order to create a 100,000sq ft ‘high quality, multi-let industrial development’ on the plot.

The firm says that the scheme will be ‘designed to appeal to a range of businesses’ and hopes to begin work on-site on the A49 next year.

Up to 200 jobs could be created at the mooted ‘prime redevelopment opportunity’.

Joe Burnett, development director at Network Space, said: “The acquisition provides a great opportunity to deliver a variety of multi-let, new build space.

“With a shortage of light industrial space in the area, it will appeal a range of local, regional and national occupiers seeking small and mid-box urban logistics alongside traditional multi-let users.”

The company has also recently acquired the former Manchester College site in the Openshaw area of the cuty.

Mr Burnett added: “This development, and that proposed at Openshaw, will continue to grow our industrial and logistics portfolio.

“We are also bringing forward other new schemes close to urban areas in the region, such as Broadheath Networkcentre in Altrincham and the 28-acre former Sovereign Distillery in Huyton.”

B8RE acted for Network Space during the sale, while Savills acted on behalf of the National Grid.