THE number of flats on offer in a huge apartment block could be reduced to facilitate a resident-only gym.

Fresh plans have been submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department for The Steelworks.

The £56million residential complex, off Winwick Street and John Street in the town centre, has been under construction since August 2019.

It was heavily delayed when a contractor went into administration back in 2021, but now back on track, the eight-storey block is set to provide 362 homes and a 796-space car park.

And as the site is heading towards completion, with many flats fully furnished, sales listings are beginning to appear online.

However, construction work is ongoing, with scaffolding still visible from the front of the apartment blocks.

The complex not only includes a multi-storey car park but is set to feature a ‘living green wall’ and a seventh-floor sky lounge.

But the council has received plans to reduce the approved 362 residential units to 359, with the space created facilitating a resident-only gym and lounge area.

Documents state: “Given the time lapse between the original planning approval and the changing lifestyle patterns of residents post-Covid, it is not unexpected that the end-user has re-appraised the designs as we near completion, with the intention of improving their offer to potential residents.

“The design team has already engaged with the planning officer and urban design consultant on enhancements to the courtyard areas.

“Alongside interior design consultants, the project team has developed proposals for additional residential amenity spaces.

“With the introduction of resident gym on the ground floor, the two flats approved in this location are not considered optimal, given their direct access from the courtyard.

“The offer of a resident gym is seen as a significant enhancement for the residents of the building.”

There are also plans for the introduction of a resident lounge on the seventh level adjacent to the roof terrace.

Plans add: “The flat approved in this location was not considered appropriate given its proximity to the roof terrace and sky lounge, and associated overlooking and the potential for disturbance.”

The application states that the changes are not-detrimental visually or to living conditions, while acoustic improvements would be made to ensure adjacent flats are not adversely affected.

The plans are with the council and will be decided upon in due course.