IT’S all systems go for Winsford Industrial Estate after plans for the site’s £5 million expansion were approved on Tuesday.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee has unanimously given the green light for the local authority – working in partnership with Public Sector PLC (PSP) – to add 31,635sq m of industrial space to Winsford Industrial Estate.

Cllr Lynn Riley, leader of CWAC’s Conservative group, told the committee: “This project has been with us now for several years.

“It is a very significant addition to what is already a very vibrant industrial site, and it is written into the Winsford neighbourhood plan.

“The addition of a hotel on this site very much changes the dynamic of the business community, and we are very much hoping that this will certainly put Winsford Roads One to Five well and truly on the international map – for a very positive future for the town.”

The expansion includes 13 new industrial units in addition to the redevelopment of Tiger Trailers, which is expected to be complete next month.

Cafes, retail, a pub, a hotel and a petrol station will also join the industrial estate – and 1,500 new jobs could be created as a result of the expansion.

Although the addition of commercial sites on the industrial estate means that CWAC has lost out on employment land, the council said that the non-industrial sites are necessary to make the expansion scheme viable.

Officers added that replacement employment land in Winsford could be found when CWAC reviews its local plan, or if Winsford’s neighbourhood plan is reviewed.

Cllr Tom Blackmore, Labour member for Winsford Over and Verdin, added: “I very much welcome this application for use of industrial estate land that has been unused for many years.”

The decision was made on the same day that new units on the industrial estate’s Road Two were unveiled by CWAC, with Smart Rail Services opening its doors for the first time.

As part of the expansion, CWAC and PSP are set to make a £24,000 contribution towards improving the junction of Road One, the A54 and Clive Lane in an effort to improve traffic flow around the busier estate.