Plans for Nato base scrapped

Nato's decision is seen as a blow for Warrington.

A massive business park in the North West has lost out on its challenge to become the home of a military communications complex.

Warrington council planners admit the news is a blow for the Omega regeneration site, which is expected to provide up to 12,000 jobs.

Officials in the region had been approached by representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) asking for details about space at the development.

So far no other companies have signed on to occupy the site of the former US air base at Burtonwood.

The base was used by the US Air Force until 1993

But owners English Partnerships say they are confident of finding clients for the site.

Leader of Warrington Borough Council Mike Hughes said: "It's disappointing but that particular site is a prime site on the M62.

"I'm sure a major user will show interest in due course.

"It is a blow in the short term but one has to be stoical about these kinds of events and plan for the long term."

The 558-acre Omega site is regarded as one of the North West's most promising development areas.

It had been earmarked as a possible location for a major research and administration centre for Nato.

However, Nato has decided not to continue with talks, leaving Omega officials to look elsewhere for would-be occupants.

'Ticking along'

A spokeswoman for English Partnerships insists the decision is not a major set-back.

She said: "We are working on the master plan and it's ticking along nicely at the moment."

The Burtonwood site was opened as a Royal Air Force base in 1938.

It was taken over by the United States Air Force in 1967 before being closed in July 1993.