New plans for town's Peace Centre outlined

Warrington Peace Centre was opened in 2000 as a memorial to Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball

Plans for new educational facilities in Cheshire are due to discussed by councillors.

In 2023, the local council bought Warrington Peace Centre, which was set up by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation - named after the two boys, aged 12 and three respectively, who died in the 1993 IRA bombing in the town.

It was opened in Great Sankey to help people find peaceful ways to resolve conflicts on the attack’s seventh anniversary on 20 March, 2000.

On Thursday, Warrington Borough councillors are set to discuss a planning application proposing a special education needs and disability (SEND) facility in the centre.

It will include classrooms, multi-purpose spaces and a ground floor extension.

The plans also include external spaces for an all-weather walking track, horticultural learning area, playground, car parking for mini-buses and expanded pick-up and drop-off spaces.

The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation will still have space in the building for offices and activities.

There will also be more parking for staff working at St Gregory’s school car park along with a safe drop-off and pick up area together with a turning circle along Peace Drive.