OPPORTUNITYOMEGAOMEGA COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Summer 2016

Outline Planning Permission was granted in May 2016 for 1,100 new homes on Omega South, including 20% starter homes, local shops, restaurants and cafes, a public house/ bar, care home, and hotel.

These plans are supported by the 35 acre ‘green heart’ and junction improvements, and the new primary school, Barrow Hall has now opened its doors (please see more information in this newsletter). All of these different uses will complement the growing business community already thriving on Omega.

With this positive planning milestone reached, OWL has received a number of bids from a variety of major national housebuilders to develop the first residential phase on Omega South. These bids are currently being reviewed and we expect to announce the chosen housebuilder imminently. Once selected, the housebuilder will look to develop detailed designs for the first phase of residential development and submit these as a reserved matters application in due course.

It is anticipated that the residential and mixed-use part of Omega will be delivered in phases over ten years, depending on market demand.

Hello again from Omega Warrington LimitedAndrew Sutherland from Miller Developments and Omega Warrington Ltd (OWL).

It is easy to forget how far this landmark project has come. Only three years ago, Omega was just an empty site; now it supports thousands of jobs and is home to a growing hub for logistics and manufacturing businesses in the North West.

However it’s not all about business. In May 2016, Omega received Outline Planning Permission for new homes, shops,

places to eat and drink, a care home and a hotel. We know projects like Omega can make a valuable contribution to easing local housing pressures. Therefore of the 1,100 homes planned, 20% will be ‘Starter Homes’ which is a new government initiative to help people get onto the housing ladder (see next page).

In addition, the news of Domino’s Pizza coming to Omega marks yet another manufacturer on site; it shows just how effective this growing business community is at stimulating further growth and investment for Warrington.

We hope that the next year is as progressive for Omega as 2016 has been to date and we are excited to see how it continues to contribute to the local area.

Masterplan of Omega

In more news from Omega South, some of the office space given planning consent in 2007 has been converted to provide business space for logistics and manufacturing businesses.

Whilst OWL remains committed to the long-term delivery of offices at Omega, regional and national demand for office space remains slow.

BUILDING ON OMEGA’S POPULARITY On this basis, OWL took the decision to convert some of the office space into business space which will yield employment and investment for Warrington now.

The change of use will also reduce future traffic levels during rush hour periods - a typical travel time for office workers - as warehouse traffic is spread out throughout a 24 hour period.

LIVE, WORK AND PLAY ON OMEGA

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The Government has launched the Starter Homes Initiative as part of its plan to increase housing supply and double the number of first time buyers in England by 2020.

The recent residential planning consent means that there is now an exciting opportunity to provide 220 starter homes and as this is a relatively new scheme, we have answered some of the questions you might have here.

So what is a starter home on Omega?

A starter home will be a brand new house that is sold at a 20% discount. This applies to any house up to a sale value of £310,000. So a new home selling for £150,000 could actually sell for £120,000 to a qualifying person.

So who can buy a starter home?

Anyone who is between the ages of 23 and 40 is eligible but they cannot have had a mortgage before. They will also have to access a mortgage just like anyone else and fulfil the normal criteria to buy their own home.

Ok, so where’s the catch?

The only rule is that the house is owner occupied and not let out to tenants.

And can I sell the house if I want to move on?

Yes but the government has not yet issued details of how much value you will keep. Details are expected to be announced later this year.

STARTER HOMES ON OMEGA

The Government sees a starter home as a good way of being able to afford your first home as well as potentially securing equity in order to purchase your next home! It’s an exciting time at Omega and for Warrington.

Whilst it is early days yet, if you want to find out more about new homes or starter homes at Omega, watch out for the house builder’s flag poles and advertisements on site.

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IN NEW FACILITIES FOR BARROW HALL PRIMARY

The new school year is now upon us and we are pleased to tell you that the relocated Barrow Hall Primary School is now open after a year of construction works – gold star to the team!

The school is part of a major investment programme by Warrington Borough Council to expand the primary school facilities for schools in West Warrington and to meet current and future needs. John Littler, Headteacher said: “The children and staff are really excited to be in such a fantastic new building. The Governing Body and Local Authority have worked very closely to develop a superb resource for our community”.

The new school buildings on Omega South have replaced the previous school buildings on Barrow Hall Lane. A new access road, pedestrian crossings and cycle paths have also been created to support the development which now accommodates 630 school children, an increase from the previous provision of 525 pupils.

Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for children’s services, Councillor Jean Carter said: “It’s the start of a new era for the children and staff at Barrow Hall. This wonderful, state-of-the-art school building will provide the perfect setting for each and every one of the young people to learn, grow and thrive”.

By the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), landowners of the undeveloped parts of Omega South.

Members of the project team outside the completed Barrow Hall Primary School. From left to right: Mike Coope - Programmes Manager, Warrington Borough Council; John Littler - Headteacher at Barrow Hall Primary School; Chris Forrest - Chair of Governors at Barrow Hall Primary School; Carl Wilde - Director, Robertson Construction; Cllr Jean Carter- Executive board member for children’s services, Warrington Borough Council; Rob Paterson - Project Manager, Turner and Townsend.

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KEEPING IT LOCALAcross all construction projects to date, 134 contracts have been awarded to businesses within 25 miles of Omega amounting to a value of over £38.8m. Just under 50 contracts valued at over £8.7m have been awarded to businesses based in Warrington.

Businesses at Omega have been working with Warrington Borough Council to actively encourage cycling to work. This includes making sure there are enough quality cycle facilities on site and that cycle routes into the site are good.

Free bike maintenance checks, bike lights and high visibility clothing have also been made available to cyclists. Warrington Borough Council has reported that over 40 cyclists regularly use the facilities at both Hermes and Travis Perkins. The Council is also working with The Hut Group before it moves to Omega to provide effective travel support to its staff.

For more information on how cycling is being encouraged across the borough, please visit: www.warrington.gov.uk/travelwarrington

ON YOUR BIKE - BUSINESSES ON OMEGA ENCOURAGING CYCLING TO WORK

Cycle parking at Hermes

OMEGA WELCOMES DOMINO’S PIZZAContinuing Omega’s success in attracting investment to Warrington, we will be welcoming a second manufacturer to the site.

Domino’s Pizza, the well-known pizza company, obtained planning permission earlier this year for a Supply Chain Centre on Omega South and is investing around £30m into the new facility.

It will service 450 Domino’s stores across the North and will provide jobs to over 120 people in the local area.

Construction of the new facility is expected to start in autumn 2016.

M62, JUNCTION 8 IMPROVEMENTSIn June, Warrington Borough Council displayed its plans to improve the road network at Junction 8 of the M62 at four public exhibition events in the local area.

OWL has contributed to the funding package for the scheme to support future growth on Omega, improve road safety on the M62, reduce existing levels of congestion on local roads and provide better conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

Please visit www.warrington.gov.uk/m62junction8 for more information about the improvements.

To Liverpool

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Charon Way

Skyline Drive

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Drawing No.

Date:Revision DetailsRevn. Chk byRev by

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TE15-006-SE-001 A1:1250@A1

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Economic Regeneration, Growth and Environment DirectorateTransport and EnvironmentNew Town House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington WA1 2NH

x-jlively@warrington.gov.uk

M62 Junction 8 Improvements

Stakeholder EngagementGeneral Arrangement

New carriageway

Existing carriageway

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FIT OUTS COMPLETECongratulations to Asda, The Hut Group and Plastic Omnium whose warehouses are all now fitted and kitted out. Plastic Omnium is the first of the three to be fully up and running but it is anticipated that Asda and The Hut Group will both be fully operational by the New Year. That takes the count to six businesses now operational at Omega.

SKYLINE DRIVE NOW OPEN Named after the officers’ ‘Skyline Club’ on the former RAF/ USAF Burtonwood Airbase, Skyline Drive opened to the public in December (more on heritage in the next issue).

This new road provides traffic relief for Burtonwood Road and Lingley Green Avenue and access for heavy goods vehicles from Omega South and Royal Mail directly to and from the motorway. More signage directing traffic to Skyline drive will be installed when the Junction 8 improvements are implemented.

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOPDon’t forget that if you want more information or want to keep up-to-date with all things Omega, our website is regularly updated with information.

Please visit us at: www.omegaopportunity.com

If you have any questions about Omega generally or have any thoughts or ideas about the topics covered in this newsletter, you can contact us via our community engagement advisors – details below.

GL Hearn Community Engagement advisors for Omega

E-mail: omega@glhearn.com

Tel: 0344 225 0003Twitter: @OmegaM62

• Theindividual/group/charity/projectnameandwhoisinvolved

• Informationonwhatyoudo–orwouldliketodo

• Statementonwhatdifferencethefundingwouldmaketo you/yourgroup

•Whatsupportyouwouldliketobidfor,i.e.timeorfunding

• Contactdetails(telephone,emailandpostaladdress)

ACTIVE HOPEActive Hope is a charity that provides outdoor and adventure activities for local children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them access to experiences that would normally be out of their reach. They were able to purchase 10 new mountain bikes with the money which will benefit local children for years to come.

Active Hope’s new bikes in action

2016 ENTRIES

Please note that applications are open to charities and community groups only – commercial organisations will not be considered.

Please send your bid via post or e-mail – contact details above. The closing date for all applications is Sunday 30th October 2016.

If you are from a local charity or community initiative and think we might be able to help you, please send us a short one-page bid including:

The Burtonwood Community Centre is a much loved local facility which is home to a range of groups catering for all ages and interests.

The centre had a garden area which was overgrown and untidy but with the funding, they were able to transform it into somewhere the whole community could enjoy. One of the children’s groups has planted strawberries, peas and

lettuces and will get to eat their produce when ripe!

BURTONWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE

Burtonwood Community Centre’s new planters in bloom

Warrington Integrated Sports Club, based at Great Sankey Leisure Centre, provides sports and social facilities for adults with disabilities.

The funding received from OWL has been used to maintain and insure their minibus (pictured) which transports members to and from their homes each week. We wish WISC all the best in continuing their truly fantastic work!

WARRINGTON INTEGRATED SPORTS CLUB (WISC)

WISC members with the group’s minibus

OWL’s Community Bid for Funding initiative is back and we are looking for other great local causes to support as part of the team’s commitment to the local community. Before we give you the details on how to apply this year, we checked back with last year’s winners to see how the funding had made a difference to them.

COMMUNITY BID FOR FUNDING

In partnership with

OMEGA