Warrington Borough Council has opened a new public consultation and is inviting site suggestions as it begins the process of updating the town’s long-term growth plan. Residents, businesses, and developers have until 5pm on Monday 1 June 2026 to share their views on how the town should develop and to suggest land for potential future building projects.
The update is required to meet new government standards set out in the National Planning Policy Framework published in December 2024. These changes have increased the town’s annual housing target from 816 to 1,064 homes per year. The council aims to have a new plan in place by December 2028, using a 30-month digital process to manage the town’s growth.
Councillor Hans Mundry, leader of the council, noted that updating the plan is essential for shaping the town for the next generation. He explained that having an up-to-date plan helps ensure the council maintains control over where development takes place, rather than leaving the town vulnerable to unplanned building.
While the council is welcoming suggestions for potential development sites, it has clarified that any land submitted during this process will not be automatically approved for building. Every site will undergo a strict assessment before any decisions are made. This effort comes as the council looks to manage current projects, including the large-scale development being led by Homes England, which aims to deliver at least 4,200 homes across sites in Appleton, Grappenhall, and Thelwall.
This work follows the adoption of the current local plan in December 2023. During the most recent monitoring period (2024/2025), 591 net new homes were completed in the town, which was below the target of 678 homes for that year.
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