A major upgrade has been planned to create a “modern new development” at a business site - despite the manufacturer's plans to leave.
The scheme aims to create two new warehouse buildings with office spaces at the Essity site on Mansell Way in Horwich, along with extra landscaping and parking spaces.
This comes just months after manufacturer Essity announced it would be leaving the site, near the junction of De Havilland Way and Chorley New Road.
A planning statement by Stantec on behalf of investment fund SIRE said: “The site has been occupied by Essity since 2014 and the business manufactures and sells hygiene and tissue products for both commercial and retail consumers.
“Essity and SIRE have had a productive and on-going relationship, with Essity informing SIRE that the existing operational efficiency and shift patterns on the Site do not meet their needs and the redevelopment of the existing outdated and underutilised buildings to provide institutional grade logistics floorspace was necessary.
“Essity’s expressed to SIRE that the existing warehouse is no longer adequate to meet their operational needs.
“The existing warehouse unit is not energy efficient and is no longer fit for purpose compared to the more contemporary warehouse units on offer elsewhere.”
An earlier version of the scheme had been put forward in May of this year with the full planning application for the new warehouses entered on Thursday August 29.
The developers had at first hoped to redevelop and upgrade the Mansell Way site with Essity continuing to operate there.
But they will continue pursuing the scheme despite the manufacturer planning to move, which they say further demonstrates the need to upgrade the site.
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Essity is planning instead to move into a new site at the Wingates Industrial Estate.
The statement said: “Notwithstanding this, the aim of the proposals is to create a modern new development to suitable for the requirements of a business such as Essity.
“Discussions are on-going between the applicant and local and national employers regarding the occupation of the proposed modern facility in this location.”
Bolton Council will aim to decide whether to approve the plans by Friday, November 29.
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