Villagers draw up battle plans to fight housing plan

VILLAGERS who staged a peaceful demonstration are busy drawing up further battle plans in their “David v Goliath” fight against a proposed new housing development at Appleton Thorn, Warrington.
The normally peaceful village was the scene of a demonstration against the proposed housing development by Bloor Homes, who are bidding to build 80-90 properties on a field in the centre of the picturesque village.
While it was a peaceful demonstration there was quite a lot of anger from local residents who believe the field was once the village common – and that it should become the village common again.
Locals gathered outside the Thorn Inn where the monthly Parish Council Surgery was being held. Councillors took time out to talk to protesters, some of whom had brought along placards and banners, expressing their determination that houses should not be built in the village centre.
Members of the CARE Committee, the local Campaign Against Ruining our Environment, were kept busy collecting signatures for their petition and Chair of the Committee, Janet Henshaw, addressed the residents, assuring them that everything possible would be done to stop the proposed development.
There are several events planned to raise funds to support the campaign. These include an afternoon tea on October 5 and a disco on October 11, which will be held at the Village Hall, just across the road from the field threatened by the development.
The CARE Committee have been kept busy in the three months since they first got wind of Bloor Homes’ plans, regularly meeting to decide their next moves in the struggle against the “heavyweight developer”. They have put up posters, held a public meeting, organised three leaflet drops and have a dedicated Facebook page up and running. CARE aim to have the 1,000th signature on their petition before the end of the month.
Group spokesman Alan Murray said: “Bloor Homes face a battle in Appleton Thorn. It may be a David and Goliath affair but the demonstrators seemed pretty determined that this will be case of size doesn’t matter – it’s caring that counts.”
The company wants to build 80-90 houses on land off Stretton Road, opposite the village hall.
They claim they will also include community facilities such as a play area, village green or shop and that they are open to suggestions from local residents.
They say an influx of young families would provide an economic boost to the village.