CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a community fire station on Green Belt land at Penketh, Warrington, look set to be rejected by planners, despite concerns the area is a “hot spot” for accidents and house fires.
The plan involves building a new fire station on Widnes Road, Penketh as part of a comprehensive plan to improve response times across Cheshire, Halton and Warrington.
The proposal, which involves the building of up to five new stations across Cheshire, including the one at Lymm, was subject of a widespread public consultation last year. The Lymm proposal, which is also in Green Belt, was approved last month.
Local councillors David Keane and Linda Dirir, welcomed the provision of a community fire station, but are objecting at the proposed location in the green belt.
As well as concerns over the green belt the development could also have an impact on endangered great crested newts being killed or injured during construction works, although this could be mitigated by using temporary amphibian exclusion fencing, prior to work commencing.
In support of the application Cheshire Fire service say data shows Penketh as a relative “hot spot” for emergency calls, caused by road traffic collisions and house fires. Also the recommended 10 minute response times were not being consistently met by the existing fire stations in Widnes and Warrington.
A total of 15 other sites were also looked but due to time constraints, with the fire service wanting the station operational by the end of 2015, the location on Widnes Road was considered the most suitable option.
The site is currently over grown and covered with soil mounds due to excavation works carried out at an adjoining golf course 10 years ago.
Planners are recommending that the application is refused because it would cause demonstrable harm to the green belt by permanent loss of openness and by way of encroachment into the countryside.
The adverse impacts are not considered to be outweighed by the special circumstances for such a facility and it would result in a harmful change in character and appearance of the countryside.
The proposal will be discussed by members of Warrington planning committee next Thursday (September 18).
An artist’s impression of the proposed community fire station at Penketh
Community fire station plan set to be rejected
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
