The "Omega" site at Warrington, the former Burtonwood US airbase,  has been touted for over a decade as the region's most important strategic site, but despite the property boom failed to attract the type of international footloose company it was after.

Now as the economy turns it is thought that those behind the plan who include Miller Developments and the North West Development Agency are looking at alternatives.

Now it seems The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has suggested buying a slice of the 550-acre site, close to Junction 8 of the M62 motorway, from developers Miller Developments – a proposal believed to be under consideration.

The plan is to build a giant prison which will house around 2000 inmates.