The plans relate to the proposed transformation of the currently derelict site, being termed ‘Time Square phase two’.

A huge apartment complex is planned along Mersey Street, a main route through Warrington town centre, on the site of the former DW Gym building.

Plans have been submitted to demolish the business premises, with a developer acquiring the land to build 240 affordable one and two-bedroom apartments.

Owned by Warrington Borough Council, the site is located to the south east of the Time Square off Academy Way, and it was selected as a ‘strategic location where affordable homes for rent will be well served by public transport, pedestrian routes, and a vibrant town centre’.

As well as the demolition plans, an environmental impact assessment screening opinion application was submitted to the council.

This is ahead of a full planning application, with the screening opinion setting out where there is the potential for significant environmental effects to occur and how they will be addressed.

Now, the council has ruled that an environmental impact assessment is not required, allowing the proposal for ‘affordable, low-carbon, and low-energy homes’ for rent to progress to the next stage.

It is proposed that the closed DW Gym building be demolished

“The project seeks to help to boost the local economy through job creation and new skills to support green innovation,” said a spokesman for Habiko, a venture housing partnership that is progressing the development.

“The proposed scheme will revitalise this sustainable brownfield site and create an opportunity to connect the development to Time Square and the wider pedestrian network around the town centre.

“Academy Way will be a car-free development by virtue of the site’s sustainable town centre location, and it will feature a central landscaped courtyard for future residents to enjoy.”

In reaching a decision, the council said: “An assessment has been made as to whether the development would have significant effects.

“This includes the measures proposed by the applicant to avoid or prevent impacts that might otherwise have significant adverse effects on the environment.

“The opportunity to use appropriate planning conditions to cover these matters, should planning permission be granted, has also been considered.

“Given the assessment, it is considered that an application for the proposed development is not required to be accompanied by an environmental statement.

“The impacts associated with it are not likely to be of a scale or nature to constitute environmental impact assessment development.”