Eddie Stobart’s plans for a new £75m national distribution centre have been granted approval by Warrington borough council.
The firm said construction of the 624,910 sq ft centre would begin in October 2019 and would see 480 jobs created at the facility, which would be open by the end of 2020.
The centre will be situated next to its national headquarters in Appleton Thorn.
The approval, granted by the council’s development management committee yesterday (July 24), comes after the committee turned down the logistics company’s previous application in November 2018.
Objections at the time were largely focused on the site’s location, which falls within the green belt, and additional traffic it could create.
Councillor Sharon Harris said in November: “The applicant has not provided enough mitigation to show that the very special circumstances justify the potential harm to the green belt - it is inappropriate.”
Alex Laffey, CEO of Eddie Stobart, said the firm had “worked hard to overcome the concerns of councillors”.
He said: “The national distribution centre will deliver real investment and create real jobs and training opportunities for Warrington. Our vision will also see over £6million invested in the local road network for the benefit of all road users.
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“Over the next 18 months, we will work closely with Warrington & Co to make sure that Warrington residents and businesses are at the front of the queue for the opportunities provided at the national distribution centre.
“We are proud to have our national headquarters in Warrington and stand ready to deliver on the ambitions that Warrington Borough Council has for the town by this strategic investment in the local economy.”