Planners put off car park decision

COUNCILLORS have put off a decision on proposals for a new town centre car park at Warrington.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee want more information about the scheme on the site of the former Garven Place clinic, off Sankey Street.
The council itself has applied for permission to use the site as a temporary car park for up to 60 vehicles.
But the planning committee decided it needed more information before it could approved the scheme.
The clinic buildings were demolished following the opening of the Bath Street Health Centre on the site of the former Warrington Baths.
Officers admit using the site for parking will not contribute to long term proposals to create a new public space with important frontages. But as the proposals are temporary they do not oppose the plan.
The site lies within an area of archaeological potential, within the limits of the medieval and early post-medieval town.
But because there will be little below-ground disturbance, it will not be necessary to protect potential archaeological finds beneath the surface, say officers
It is believed the site was originally within the bounds of the park established around Bank Hall – now the Town Hall – in the 18th century.
Six 6-metre high lighting columns will be erected and a temporary surface provided if the scheme goes ahead.