Delay hits public inquiry into Langtree Warrington logistics

The public inquiry into Six56, Langtree and Panattoni’s £180m proposed development on a Warrington Green Belt site, has been put back to October.

The application by the joint venture developers to develop land at Bradley Hall Farm, was called in by the Secretary of State for a decision, with the public inquiry due to sit for eight days, between 9 and 12 May and from 23 to 26 May at The Base, Dallam Lane.

However, the Planning Inspectorate has now confirmed that the inquiry has been adjourned, pending the submission of further information by the applicant. The inquiry is scheduled to reopen on Monday 9 October.

The planning inspector has asked for further information to be added to the environmental statement. This mostly relates to the potential harm  that traffic pollution could cause to protected mosses near routes in and out of the development area.

Warrington Council said in January that it would neither support nor oppose the applicant during the process, which will examine at length the proposals for land at Junction 20 of the M6. The plans are for seven separate logistics facilities at the site.

Outline approval was given for Six56 in March 2022, following which Michael Gove decided not to call in the scheme, a decision described as a “major milestone” by Langtree chief executive John Downes.

However, as Warrington wrestled with its Local Plan, Gove then announced a rethink just a month later, and in November it was confirmed that the scheme would be called in after all.

Six56 has always been contentious locally, involving as it does the development of 242 acres of Green Belt land, and more than 900 objections had been lodged before November’s decision.

Langtree has been approached for comment.