Tritax opens consultation on Cronton Colliery
Logistics developer Tritax Symmetry, part of Tritax Big Box Reit, is inviting input for its “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to redevelop the disused colliery in Knowsley into a 1m sq ft employment site and 65-acre country park.
The Land Trust, a Warrington-based charity that manages open spaces, agreed to transfer an area of its land outside Knowsley to Tritax Symmetry last month, which would form part of the developer’s proposed Symmetry Park.
Following the consultation, Tritax expects to submit a planning application at the end of August for the scheme on the site of the former Cronton Colliery, to the east of Junction 6 of the M62.
The employment site would comprise four large warehouses, while the proposed country park would offer open space and community facilities connected by a 5km network of paths derived from the coal seams below the site.
Eight acres of wetland habitat, plus 11 acres of woodland, feature in the plans for the park.
Meanwhile, a sustainable transport route following the abandoned mineral railway line is also proposed, connecting the towns and villages to the north and south of the M62.
Matt Claxton, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rejuvenate this disused colliery and, in doing so, create hundreds of new jobs as well as a wildlife habitat for future generations to enjoy.
“We have been really encouraged by the positive feedback following the initial announcement about the plans for the Cronton Colliery site and hope many more people will take a look and let us know their thoughts.”
The plans form part of Knowsley Council’s vision for Halsnead Garden Village, which has scope for 1,600 homes, 55.5 acres of employment land and 81 acres of green space across 430 acres, and won £4m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund this week.
The project team for Cronton Colliery includes real estate advisor Gerald Eve as planning consultant and logistics architect UMC Architects. Michael Lee Architects has designed the country park.
Cronton Colliery closed in 1984.
