Manchester city council has withdrawn its formal objection to plans for the initial phase of the 5m sq ft Omega scheme in Warrington.
The withdrawal comes after English Partnerships (EP) agreed to a “fundamental review” of the giant mixed-use scheme.
The scheme, being developed by Miller Developments on 560 acres of land owned by EP to include office, leisure and industrial, has been bogged down in planning difficulties for several years.
Manchester had objected to the section of Warrington’s unitary development plan (UDP) that would allow commercial development at Omega to go ahead.
It claimed the scheme, close to junction 8 of the M62, would negatively affect city centre regeneration.
However, the city last week withdrew its objection, which was due to be heard in the High Court.
Eamonn Boylan, deputy chief executive at Manchester city council, said: “We have withdrawn objection to the initial phase at Omega, but only our objections to the initial phase.
“We will work with EP on a fundamental review on further phases and will seek to reach a mutually agreed position.
“It would be open to the city to take a different view on further planning applications.”
Eliot Lewis-Ward, regional director for EP, said: “An agreement has been reached with Manchester city council which removes their challenge to Warrington’s UDP and to the phases 1 and 2 planning application of the Omega development.”
Omar Elmi, director of Miller, said he was optimistic that a final planning application for Omega will be heard by Warrington councillors within the next three months.
After permission is granted, the Government Office has six weeks to decide whether or not to “call-in” the scheme for review.
A start on site is earmarked for early 2007.
Jones Lang LaSalle and GVA Grimley are advising Miller.
References: EGi News 21/03/06
