Fordgate submits revised Halton Lea proposals

Fordgate Group has submitted plans for a 148,000 sq ft foodstore to be built in Halton Lea town centre near Runcorn.

The application, lodged by independent planning and architecture practice Barton Willmore on Fordgate's behalf, extends to 9.2 acres and will see the demolition of East Lane House.

The foodstore will comprise of 148,348 sq ft gross floorspace, with a total net sales area of 99,996 sq ft. Proposals also include a mezzanine floor, car parking, servicing, landscaping and a petrol filling station.

Barton Willmore said the planning application follows a longstanding objective from Halton Council to regenerate Halton Lea town centre and outline planning consent was originally granted in April 2008 for the site.

Barton Willmore undertook town planning, architecture and retail assessments for the scheme.

Dan Mitchell, planning partner in Barton Willmore's new Manchester office, said: "Following our public consultation events held in December, we received overwhelming support for the scheme from local people who are keen to see investment and development in the south of the borough. We hope that the council supports the plans to enable the project to move quickly to the next stage."

The application proposes a number of key benefits including a new walkway to the shopping centre, which will form a link with the proposed foodstore at mezzanine level, whilst travelators will provide access to the main retail floor at ground level. Due to the nature of the steeply sloping site the store and its two levels of car parking had to be designed to provide the right connectivity at all key interfaces with the adjacent property, land and structures.