PLANS to create flats above a town centre restaurant have been withdrawn by the developer.

The first floor of Mojo, a tapas bar on Cairo Street, would have been turned into five apartments under the proposals.

But on Tuesday, January 15, developer Neil Trainer withdrew an application for planning permission that had earlier been submitted to Warrington Borough Council.

Most recently used as office space for TJ Hughes, the area that had been earmarked for a mix of one and two-bedroom flats has been vacant since the store's closure in 2011.

A new entrance to the residential units would have been created from Egypt Street, although no parking provision was planned as part of the development.

Planning application documents stated: "What we are proposing will give the building a chance to show its full potential.

"The current state of the first floor is currently unused space apart from minimal storage.

"It is in a great location and the actual size of the first floor can put to good use, because at the moment it is just unused space and it is going to be ideally suited for residential use.

"The hope is that having apartments on the upper floors will also generate interest in the ground floor retail unit and any local businesses."