Demolition update as first plans submitted for Fiddler’s Ferry

The developer who owns the enormous piece of land has also issued an update on when the iconic cooling towers at the Cuerdley site will be demolished.

Peel NRE has confirmed that, following public consultation with residents, detailed plans have been submitted to Warrington Borough Council for the first phase of the Fiddler’s Ferry regeneration project.

Proposals to build on the brownfield site will be split into three phases – industrial and two sets of residential dwellings – and these first set of plans relate to this first phase.

Peel says the application aims to address the ‘chronic shortage’ of modern employment space by providing four industrial buildings and service yards totalling 1.4million square-feet of floorspace.

It adds that the buildings, along with parking and landscaped green space, will support more than 2,100 jobs for local people, including during the construction and demolition phases.

In total, 845 of these will be created by the project, adding up to £89.2million to Warrington’s vibrant and growing economy, Peel says.

An impression of how the site will look once transformed for industrial use

Later phases of the project will include a new neighbourhood to the east of the former power station, which developers say ‘could’ include new family homes supported by space for a new primary school, shops and a GP surgery.

Plans for the further residential development will be submitted at a later time, while transport improvements are a key part of the proposals.

Peel is committing to improvements of the existing A562 Widnes Road, with a new dedicated pedestrian and cycle link providing safe access to and from the development.

Further details have also been revealed for the demolition of the site, including the felling of cooling towers which ceased operations when the power station closed in March 2020 after nearly 50 years.

This submission for industrial units comes ahead of the appointment of demolition contractors, which is expected in the coming weeks.

The former coal stockyard, office buildings and four northern cooling towers are expected to be demolished before the end of the year.

An artist impression for the future of the site

Kieran Tames, development director at Peel, said: “Following a detailed consultation with stakeholders across Warrington and Halton, and members of the local community, we are delighted to submit the planning application for phase one of the redevelopment of Fiddler’s Ferry.

“More than 5,700 individuals engaged with our interactive consultation, as well several in-person events in Warrington, Widnes and Penketh.

“The level of public support during the consultation was significant, with particular support for the redevelopment of brownfield land, job creation and more sustainable and energy efficient buildings.

“However, we do understand the concerns of residents about pressure on local transport links, so we have taken necessary steps to provide sustainable alternative transport options and improve existing access to the site.

“We will continue our engagement with site neighbours, and while the formal consultation period is now closed, residents can still access our plans online and contact the project team.”

As part of the environmental considerations, Peel has committed to a 10 pr cent biodiversity net gain, which means the environment at the site will be improved overall by the scheme.