240 affordable apartments at Former DW Sports Site, Warrington

What was proposed

The application sought two six-storey buildings containing 240 affordable apartments, with communal amenity space, cycle and bin storage, and associated works.

“2026/00196/FULM Description of Development: Erection of 2no. 6-storey buildings comprising 240 affordable apartments (Use Class C3) together with an amenity garden, cycle and bin storage and other associated works…”

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of two six-storey properties that will house 240 apartments, amenity space, cycle and bin storage and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.6-hectare former gym and car park site is surrounded by roads and sits among retail, employment, parking and residential uses.

“The application site comprises 0.6 hectares and is roughly a square shape. The site consists of a vacant building that was previously in use as a gym with a large surface car park (formerly DW Sports) and permission has been granted to demolish the building. The application site is surrounded on all sides by roads: Academy Street to the North East, Academy Way to the North West, Bank Street to the South West and Mersey Street to the South East.”

“The site is bounded by a variety of different uses including retail, employment, parking and residential. The surrounding buildings are also of differing heights and appearances. The existing building on the site has the appearance of a modern warehouse and is located directly adjacent to Mersey Street with the front of the building fronting onto the surface car park.”

Officer report

Earlier site decisions

Permission had been granted for demolition, while an earlier environmental impact screening decision found that assessment was not required.

“Planning Ref: 2025/01627/SCR Site address Time Square Phase 2 Academy Way, Bewsey And Whitecross, Warrington, WA1 2AS Description of Development: Residential Development Decision: EIA not required Planning Ref: 2025/01506/DEM Site address 2 Bank Street, Bewsey and Whitecross, Warrington, WA1 2AS Description of Development: Demolition of building Decision: Prior Approval is Required and Granted…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement, because the town-centre scheme met housing needs and had acceptable impacts.

“However, in the event that the Section 106 legal Agreement remains unsigned six months after this resolution, that the application is reviewed by the Development Manager and if no meaningful progress is being made to sign an agreed Section 106 then delegated authority is given to the Development Manager to refuse the application in the absence of an agreed Section 106 Agreement, without which the development will be unacceptable in planning terms.”

“The principle of development is acceptable as it is located in Warrington Town Centre • The proposal addresses housing needs through a range of housing types and tenures • The proposal is for one hundred percent affordable housing with 20 percent secured through a Section 106 agreement • £40,000 is secured as S106 contributions towards health and education • The application included a viability assessment, which was independently assessed, and demonstrates that the…”

Officer report

Objections and public views

No public representations were received, but a ward councillor objected because of concerns about hospital capacity and waiting times.

“The application was publicised by 45 neighbour notification letters, site notices and by a press notice. As a result of this 0 representations were received.”

“Councillor Roddy objects to the proposal on the basis that the hospital cannot cope with the increased population the property will attract and the application should be put on hold until an improvement is made in Warrington Hospital waiting and Treatment times…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Representations were heard in favour of the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application with conditions and Section 106 contributions in accordance with the officer recommendation.

“The application was approved with conditions and S106 contributions as per officer recommendation.”

Minutes