A 25-STOREY tower block could be built in Warrington town centre as part of plans for 550 residential homes.

The massive application will be discussed by councillors this week.

It would see four housing blocks built on the current car park at Winwick Street, opposite Central Station.

The outline planning application also includes a 160-bed hotel, office space and potentially bars and restaurants.

Developers have committed to 10 per cent of the homes being affordable and will come back with more detailed plans should this initial scheme be approved.

It could be built within four years.

The planning application documents added: "Appearance is reserved for determination at a later date but given the importance of the site within the town centre and the relationship to two conservation areas and a number of listed buildings (including The Kings Head and Three Pigeons pubs) the use of high quality materials will be essential.

"The applicant has indicated that the palette of materials would be influenced by the site’s historic context and could include brick, metal cladding and bronze detailing."

Warrington Guardian:

A spokesman for Warrington & Co, the council's development arm, added: "The scheme would deliver affordable housing, for which there is a demand within the town centre, and whilst a greater number would have been preferable, it is acknowledged that the scheme would not be viable and that the current climate for developments of this scale is particularly challenging due to the impact of Covid-19.

"Construction activity associated with schemes of this size and scale and its multiplier effect on the supply chain will assist in mitigating some of the effects of Covid-19.

"In addition, the proposed scheme would demonstrate confidence in Warrington as a place where development can and will happen and will be a positive signal to the market.

"Given the site’s proximity to Warrington Central Station and the bus interchange, the proposed development would place a significant number of people and businesses in the centre of the council’s transformative proposals as part of its First and Last Mile programme (which seeks to reduce the amount of cars using the town centre) and would therefore greatly increase its success, as well as contributing to reducing carbon impact and improving air quality. "

The application will be discussed at Wednesday's meeting of the development management committee.