WM Morrisons has finally secured planning consent from Vale Royal Council for a major distribution centre on a 23.5 ha (58 acre) site opposite Gadbrook Park, King Street, Rudheath, Cheshire.
The development will comprise two storage and distribution units totalling 68,750 sq m (740,043 sq ft). Morrison already owns approximately half the site, and has an option to purchase the other half. Construction is due to start in September.
Morrisons had previously submitted an application to develop these facilities at the Parkside Colliery site, Newton le Willows, Merseyside. This application was called in by the DOE. According to Morrisons, this decision, coupled with the subsequent delay in staging an inquiry, prompted the supermarket chain to withdraw the application.
The DOE examined the supermarket group’s plans for Gadbrook Park and on this occasion elected not to call them in.
Morrisons has been known to be interested in the Gadbrook Park site for some time. The company has applied for consent for a distribution centre at Gadbrook Park in the past, but was turned down. It was this initial refusal that led the company to Parkside Colliery.
EGi News 18/07/96
