David Wilson works up 400-home Padgate campus plans 

Having acquired the site from the University of Chester, the housebuilder is progressing proposals to redevelop the 32-acre site. 

David Wilson Homes plans to build around 400 homes at the university’s former Padgate campus off Crab Lane, while retaining around 6.5 acres as public open space. 

A consultation on the proposals is now live and will run until 9 February. View the consultation – padgatecampus.co.uk/

The scheme will provide a range of different types of homes available on various tenures “reflecting housing need locally and ensuring that all of Warrington’s residents, at all stages of life, can access high-quality new homes,” according to David Wilson Homes. 

The housebuilder is working with rugby league side Warrington Wolves, which currently trains at Padgate. Talks are ongoing to develop a Sports Mitigation Strategy that will set out the framework to provide upgraded sports facilities across Warrington, including the planned relocation of Wolves’ facilities to Victoria Park. 

A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes said: “We believe this redevelopment would provide a new lease of life to a previously developed site and secure a future for Warrington’s sports offer. 

“We are committed to engaging with local residents to ensure the local community is involved as our plans progress. We are looking forward to receiving feedback from the local community to help shape what the future of the site could look like.” 

The University of Chester declared the Padgate campus surplus to requirements in 2021 after it opened two new facilities in Warrington town centre.