Town loses battle over
“lamp post” phone mast
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON has lost a battle to block the erection of a controversial mobile phone mast designed to resemble a lamp post.
A Government inspector has ruled that the mast – some 40ft high – can be erected on land to the east of Cromwell Avenue at Westbrook.
The issue was the subject of a planning appeal earlier this year after the borough council refused planning consent for the mast.
There was an outcry from local residents who opposed the scheme.
But the inspector says he is satisfied there is a need to improve mobile phone coverage in the area and that there is no reasonable prospect of any alternative provision.
He says the mast will not be an isolated feature but will be view in the context of other lighting columns and street furniture in the area.
It will be separated from houses by established vegetation and will be at a distance to result in minimum visual impact.
Other masts in the area are not so close as to cause an appearance of “clutter” says the inspector and the development meets the guidelines of the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection “Fears expressed by local residents on health grounds do not justify rejection of this proposal.”
Strategic director of environment and regeneration Alan Stephenson said: “The subjective debate over the visual impact of this mast, designed to look like a street lamp, did not support the council consideration that the impact on the street scene was unacceptable.”
College’s VIP visitor
FORMER sixth form college principal Dennis Lavelle dropped in at Warrington’s Priestley College to advise a group of students hoping to continue their studies in medicine and dentistry at “Oxbridge”.
Dennis has become a regular visitor to the Loushers Lane site in recent times and always receives a hearty welcome.
Jan Costello, senior manager at Priestley, who organised the visit, said: “It’s always nice for students to be offered advice from people such as Dennis, who has spent a life-time in education”.
The group looked at interview techniques, role-play and presentation at a time when submissions for Uni-places feature high on student agendas.
Priestley’s “Oxbridge” places include Rachel Crane, studying natural sciences at Cambridge, and Sarah Martin, studying at Oxford.
College chiefs believe the current crop of students will contain others successful in their applications next year. Mr Lavelle was accompanied by his wife, Renee, a former head of English.
Gypsy caravan plan
under scrutiny again
by John Hendon
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to allow a temporary gypsy caravan site to become a become a permanent feature on Green Belt land at Warrington will come before councillors for a second time on Wednesday.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee put off a decision on the Two Acre Caravan Park, in Warrington Road, Higher Walton last month after hearing of strong objections from nearby residents.
They decided they should visit the site before coming to a final decision.
Walton Parish Council has also expressed concern and borough councillor Peter Walker has lodged objections.
The gypsies, who have lived on the site – illegally and legally – for about eight years, are seeking a permanent planning approval for their caravans, toilet block, access road, etc.
Currently, they have a temporary consent which expires in May 2006.
Gypsy families bought the land from the former Greenalls leisure group at an auction around 1996 and subsequently moved about 15 caravans onto the land.
The borough council subsequently refused a retrospective planning application and commenced enforcement proceedings with a view to having the gypsies evicted from their own land. But they appealed and a planning inspector ruled that they could stay on the land for four years.
Later this consent was renewed for another four years.
Now the gypsies have applied to have their planning consent made permanent. They say they cause no nuisance to neighbours, that the caravan park has become an accepted feature of the village and that it provides a home for up to 15 families at no cost to the council. Fifteen children currently attend Stockton Heath Primary School.
Sixteen neighbours have objected. They say the site is an eyesore within a conservation area and the Green Belt.
Gas cylinders are stored on the size, causing a health and safety hazard, businesses are being run from the caravans, traffic, dogs and teenagers on scooters are causing a noise nuisance. They say the borough council should find an alternative site for the caravan park and the land should be returned to grazing.
Coun Walker says the gypsies were given temporary permission to allow them time to find another site in a more appropriate location. They have had eight years and appear to have made to attempt to find one, he says.
The inspector who originally granted planning consent acknowledged that the camp harmed the openness and rural character of the area. But he said the gypsies were not causing any nuisance to villagers and their children would benefit from a settled address.
Women’s soccer fixtures
to be hosted by town
by Terry Johnson
UEFA European Women’s soccer Championship events are to be staged in Warrington next year….thanks to the town’s prestigious RL venue!
Sporting chiefs have agreed that three Group B games and a semi-final will be played at the town’s Halliwell Jones Stadium as part of a 15-match programme across the North-West.
The UEFA games will have live tv coverage in 54 countries via Eurosport and an extra UK network, to be confirmed.
Andy Gatcliffe, Warrington Wolves chief executive, said: “We are delighted to host four championship games. The fact that UEFA and the FA have selected the Halliwell Jones Stadium for this tournament means the club will showcase at an international level”.
UEFA President, Lennart Johansson, added: “Women’s football will be promoted as a skilful and competitive game, enhancing its popularity in the UK and across Europe”.
Opposition to
housing scheme
by David Skentelbery
A PLAN to demolish a garage workshop and build 14 houses on the site has triggered considerable opposition at Great Sankey, near Warrington.
The proposal involves Lingley Autos, in Lingley Road and follows an earlier similar proposal which was withdrawn in March.
Highways chiefs are recommending the scheme be refused on the grounds the proposed road layout falls short of its standards, Great Sankey Parish Council claims the development would result in a considerable increase in traffic on Lingley Road and would affect the privacy of properties in Pyecroft Road and Paul Close.
Five nearby residents have also lodged objections on the grounds of increased traffic, loss of privacy, flooding problems in the area and the loss of trees, bushes and natural habitats for wildlife.
They also fear noise and asbestos contamination arising from the demolition of the workshop.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. They say a residential development has scope to improve amenity in the area.
The borough council’s development control committee which consider the scheme on Wednesday.
