Council approves outline application for 3.1 m ft2 logistics scheme

The plot, being brought forward in partnership between Langtree and Panattoni, is located next to Junction 9 of the M56 and Junction 20 of the M6 motorway.

Proposals envisage up to seven units providing  more than 4,000 jobs once the site is fully operational. The £180m scheme could also generate £7.1m a year in additional business rates for the local economy.

John Downes, Langtree’s group chief executive, said: “The scheme will focus on providing space for logistics businesses. It’s where the greatest demand lies and the jobs are much more diverse and better paid than people perhaps realise.”

As the site is greenbelt it will be referred to the Secretary of State to determine whether it will be called-in.

Langtree’s other logistics development in the North West on the 230-acre former  Parkside Colliery in St Helen’s secured the go-ahead from the Secretary of State last year. Langtree is rumoured to be developing two warehouses of 500,000ft2 speculatively on the site.