A FIDDLERS Ferry development framework (DF) is set to be agreed – with up to 860 homes and employment land planned for the huge site.

A report on the issue will come before Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet at its meeting on Monday.

It states that the DF is required by ‘policy MD3’ of the adopted Local Plan as part of the site allocation.

According to the report, the DF has been produced as a developer-led document and the cost of the work associated with this has been met by the landowner, Peel NRE.

It has been drafted by the landowner, in consultation with council officers, and has been through a consultation exercise with members of the public, ward members and parish councils, as well as stakeholders.

The DF has been amended following consultation and is now to be presented to cabinet in its final form.

The adopted Local Plan – which covers the period 2021-22 to 2038-39 – allocates land at the former Fiddlers Ferry power station site for a sustainable mixed-use development.

The power station closed in March 2020.

The report says the site comprises a total of 324ha – and that the part of the site which housed the former power station is the ‘largest brownfield site’ in the borough, while the lagoons remain within the green belt.

“Policy MD3 allocates the site to deliver a minimum of 860 homes and approximately 101 ha of employment land in the plan period as well as parkland and recreation areas,” says the report.

“The new mixed-use community can be supported by highway and active travel infrastructure as well as new social infrastructure including a new primary school; a health facility, open space and recreational facilities and local shops.

“The Local Plan supporting text to policy MD3 sets out that the final form of development on the site will be determined through the preparation of a comprehensive development framework, to be approved by the council prior to the determination of the application for the first part of the employment site and before any further planning applications are submitted.

“The development framework will be prepared by the landowners, in consultation with the council, Halton Council, key statutory consultees and the local community.”

Policy MD3 includes detailed site specific requirements for the development of the site.

These include up to 860 new homes including a minimum of 30 per cent affordable provision, 101 ha of employment land allocated for distribution and industrial uses and for low carbon energy projects, a new one-form entry primary school, a new local centre, specification and delivery of flexible space for a satellite GP surgery to be agreed with NHS, provision of a network of multi-functional green spaces, and transport and accessibility improvements.

The report says the DF will be a ‘material consideration’ in the determination of all planning applications relating to development within the Fiddlers Ferry allocation site.

“The purpose of the DF is to provide a coordinated approach to new development across the allocation site,” it adds.

“All future planning application relating to development within the Fiddlers Ferry allocation site will be required to provide a compliance statement confirming how the proposal complies with the vision and objectives set out in Local Plan Policy MD3 and the development framework.

“The infrastructure delivery strategy (IDS) accompanies the DF and includes details on phasing, delivery triggers and delivery responsibilities for the infrastructure required to support the site allocation.”

The cabinet is recommended to agree the proposed development framework – including the spatial masterplan – and the IDS, that will then be a ‘material consideration’ in the determination of planning applications for the site.

Members are also recommended to authorise the director of growth, in consultation with the cabinet member for housing services and licensing, to make ‘any further necessary amendments’ to the DF that ‘do not materially affect’ the content of the DF, prior to its final publication.