Plans for Hatch-style shipping container development planned for Farnworth

Plans have been revealed to extend a retail park with shops, bars and food outlets in shipping containers. The proposals, for the King Street retail park, Farnworth, also include outdoor seating areas with landscaping.

Eight prefabricated shipping containers would house a variety of small businesses. Developer Shadow Estates Ltd says the scheme would aim to emulate developments such as Hatch in Manchester which has a mix of shops, bars and restaurants under the Mancunian Way and Spark in York, which bills itself as housing ‘exciting start-ups working in food, retail, arts and social enterprise’.

A design and access statement, published as part fo the plans, said: “The proposal hopes to be part of the larger regeneration plans which are happening now in Farnworth which include new homes, public square and leisure units.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

“The site is across the road from the redevelopment of Farnworth Market and hopes to be a part of the regeneration. “The proposal involves removing a road however, access into King Street retail park is still possible just off King Street, and there is also an alternative exit and entrance on Cross Street into the retail park.

“The site will not be enclosed with any fencing or gates, meaning there will be several points of entry to the site, this will also help with circulating pedestrians quickly in and out of the site. “The proposal is nearby to shops, restaurants and the Farnworth bus station which are all within walking distance from the site. ”

Artist impressions published in the plans show a broadly U-shaped layout for the units with seating benches and landscaping in the space in between.The regeneration