By Adrian Short

THOUSANDS of jobs could be created after planning chiefs rubber stamped plans to create a huge warehouse development in Widnes.

Plans for a distribution centre at the Widnes International Freight Terminal in Ditton were submitted by Westlink Group Ltd in November.

The proposals - which include one million square feet of warehouse space - were given the green light at a recent meeting of Halton council’s development control committee.

It is claimed that 1,300 jobs are set to be created on completion of the project, although council chiefs claim that will just be the “tip of the iceberg”.

The development located within a 42 hectare site would have a floorspace of 138,832sq m.

Cllr Rob Polhill (planning) said: “It’s great news and as a council we’re really pleased.

“This will be a huge development and there are going to be in the region of 1,300 jobs created and a further 1,000 jobs a year for the next three or four years after that.

“These are not just what you’d call menial jobs either, but well-paid and worthwhile jobs. This is just what the borough needs.”