Omega, Warrington

Omega, a 232 ha site straddling the M62, Warrington, is considered to be one of Europes most important strategic development sites.
English Partnerships invested £35.2m in the construction of the new Junction 8 on the M62 to provide much needed direct access to the site. The junction was officially opened on 17 December 2002. The junction provides relief to existing road networks, easing congestion for local residents whilst improving infrastructure to allow for business expansion.
Developers
Miller Developments and the Royal Bank of Scotland were appointed as the preferred joint venture developers for Omega in July 2001. A development agreement was subsequently signed in June 2002.
Planning permission
Progress on the £1bn Omega development moved forward following Warrington Councils resolution to grant outline planning permission in October 2006 for the first two phases of development and the decision by Ruth Kelly, the former Secretary of State, in November 2006, not to intervene in the application. Outline planning permission for phases one and two was granted in June 2007. Approval of Reserved Matters was granted for infrastructure on the North in December 2007.
About the site
The Omega site comprises a large part of the former Royal Air Force / United States Air Force Burtonwood Airbase.
The whole site will provide 650,000 sq m of offices, manufacturing and distribution space along ancillary leisure / retail facilities, hotel and conference facilities. Around 24,000 jobs are likely to be created over the lifetime of the scheme.
There is considerable occupier interest and negotiations are underway. Detailed work has continued to enable us to start on site.
During the plan period we will reclaim 35 ha of brownfield land and create 30,000 sq m of employment floor space which should result in 400 additional jobs and lever in £30m of private sector investment.
Timetable
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Demolition of Hangars starts - autumn 2008
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Start on site winter 2008
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