Peel NRE lodges plans for 1.4m sq ft at Fiddlers Ferry

Having acquired the Warrington power station last summer, the developer is cracking on with proposals for the first four industrial buildings at the site, part of a wider 4m sq ft development. 

Peel NRE, part of Peel L&P, has lodged a planning application with Warrington Council to redevelop part of the wider 820-acre Fiddlers Ferry site into 1.4m sq ft of logistics space across a quartet of buildings. 

The wider scheme, which aims to address what Peel calls a “chronic shortage of modern employment space”, will be delivered across three phases. 

Following the submission of plans for the first phase, the developer will soon appoint a demolition contractor to clear the site. 

Four of Fiddlers Ferry’s eight cooling towers, as well as the former coal stockyard and office buildings, are expected to be demolished before the end of the year to pave the way for the industrial project. 

Once complete, the scheme could generate around 2,100 jobs and add up to £89.2m to Warrington’s economy, according to Peel. 

Michael Sparks Associates is leading on design and Turley is advising Peel on planning, strategic communications, and sustainability. 

Later phases of the project will include a new neighbourhood to the east of the former power station, which could include family homes, a new primary school, shops, and a GP surgery. 

Four of the eight cooling towers are to be demolished this year. Credit: via Peel NRE

Improvements to the existing Widnes Road (A562) and a commitment to providing a 10% biodiversity net gain also form part of Peel’s plans. 

A development framework, including a wider masterplan for the site, will be shared with the public later this year. 

Located on the north bank of the River Mersey, Fiddler’s Ferry was decommissioned in 2020 in line with government policy to phase out coal-fired facilities by 2025. 

The site is earmarked in Warrington Council’s local plan for redevelopment into employment use and a minimum of 1,760 new homes.  

Kieran Tames, development director at Peel NRE, said the proposals to bring the site back into use had been well-received by the public. 

“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,” he said. 

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

He added: “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.”