Appleton Cross Local Centre

The Appleton Cross Local Centre site is adjacent to the recently completed Barratt David Wilson development, “Orchard Meadows”.  The site is within Homes England freehold ownership and is surrounded by the South East Warrington Urban Extension, as allocated for development in Warrington Borough Council’s Local Plan.

Homes England will enable the construction of Appleton Cross Local Centre which will provide a new health centre and amenities that will serve the local area.

An outline planning consent was previously secured for the Appleton Cross site in 2018 which included 370 new homes and a local centre. Homes England partnered with Barratt David Wilson in 2019 who built the new homes you see today.  A new full planning application for the local centre is now required.

Homes England wishes to expediate the delivery of the Local Centre, as quickly as possible. The proposals will be brought forward ahead of the wider South East Warrington Urban Extension plans.

Homes England, as landowner, has been working collaboratively with other organisations who will play key roles in ensuring that the Local Centre is operational as quickly as possible, and these cross-party discussions will continue in the coming months. This has included discussions with the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Stretton Medical Centre (comprising Stretton Medical Practice and Appleton Primary Care Centre) regarding their relocation to the site.

Indicative timeline

• 2023 – Initial technical work (e.g. ecological assessments) undertaken and the appointment of the professional project team. Local Plan allocation is also confirmed for the wider South East Warrington Urban Extension.
  
  
• Spring 2024 – Continuation of technical work including seasonal ecological surveys alongside soft market testing with potential developers of the local centre.
    
• Summer/Autumn 2024 – Engagement with stakeholders and the community to receive feedback. Ongoing engagement with the NHS, Integrated Care Board (ICB), potential occupiers including Stretton Medical Centre and Warrington Borough Council.
  
  
• Autumn/Winter 2024 – Procurement of a developer partner begins; ongoing liaison with the ICB on health centre commissioning process.
   
• Early 2025 – Appointment of a developer partner with intended occupiers for the site confirmed.
  
  Next steps
  • Developer submits full planning application to Warrington Borough Council.
  • Developer commences building on site
  • Construction completed and occupiers move into site

About the site

Appleton Cross will support the existing community and complement the future South East Warrington Urban Extension.

The site has a new community play space to its north and features mature tree groups and hedges as well as an existing watercourse. We see an opportunity to integrate the new development with these open spaces and landscape features.

Considerations that development will need to take into account include:

•  The relationship with the Barratt David Wilson Homes play area and drainage features.
• Retaining the highest quality trees within and immediately adjacent to the site.
• Using trees and hedgerows to provide a frame for the development.
• Preserving and enhancing the watercourses and  ecological corridors. 
• Retaining and protecting the sewers that run through the site.
• Respecting the existing retained Public Rights of Way along Green Lane and to the northeast.
• Respecting the residential amenity of homes to the north, west and south of the site.
• Safeguarding land to the south of the site for a future transport corridor to connect into the South East Warrington development.

Please click 'Next' to answer the survey questions.

A new local centre

We want the Appleton Cross Local Centre to meet the needs and aspirations of the local community. We know that the provision of a health centre is important to you and we are keen to learn more about what additional uses you would like to see there.

Please click 'Next' to submit your response.