"No threat to Walton Hall" - council
http://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/articles/8091/1/No-threat-to-Walton-Hall---council/Page1.html
By Orbit News Ltd.
Published on 26/05/10 7:00 am
THERE is no threat to Walton Hall nor its grounds, arising from Warrington Borough Council's regeneration plans, a Town Hall chief says.
THERE is no threat to Walton Hall nor its grounds, arising from Warrington Borough Council's regeneration plans, a Town Hall chief says.by David Skentelbery
THERE is no threat to Walton Hall nor its grounds, arising from Warrington Borough Council's regeneration plans, a Town Hall chief says.
Spoof letters purporting to be from developers are untrue, as are rumours currently circulating in the borough.
The only threat to the hall is from inaction, according to the council's environment and regeneration director, Andy Farrall.
Mr Farrall has issued a "clear the air" statement following weeks of protests from residents claiming they have not been consulted about proposals to convert the hall into a high class hotel.
He said an ambitious project to transform Walton Hall and its estate into a regional visitor destination was agreed by the council's executive board two years ago.
Last October it was it was agreed to develop the hall and associated outbuildings into a hotel and other leisure facilities.
Plans for the creation of a golf academy based at the municipal golf course, the restoration of outbuildings and the enhancement of the range of facilities available at Walton Hall were approved, along with a series of other improvements to the parklands.
These included the creation of a vocational training academy to deliver hands-on courses in horticulture, animal care and floristry.
Since October last year, officers have been progressing these ideas and the executive board at its June meeting will consider the detailed proposals for the future of the estate.
Mr Farrall said: "The proposed project, as developed, would provide many benefits to the people of Warrington including the restoration and refurbishment of a historical local building whilst establishing Walton Hall and Estate as an attractive regional visitor destination, with improved facilities for all ages and incomes. The zoo, children's play area, parklands and much of the formal gardens will be retained and enhanced, with a commitment to improving the public access.
"The creation of over 200 new full-time and part-time jobs, access to specialist training opportunities and a new high quality hotel, conference and banqueting venue would also be of great benefit to Warrington's economy and profile as a leading place to live and work."
Mr Farrall said the basis of the project was to increase the number of visitors so it would be counter-productive to restricting public access to substantial areas of the park, as recently rumoured.
More of the estate's historic buildings would be available for the public to access than at present.
But it was likely that some small areas, immediately adjacent to the east of the hall, will have restricted access for health, safety and privacy reasons. However these restricted areas would be kept to the bare minimum.
"The draft masterplan actually proposes enhanced public access to all parts of the estate, some of which are presently hidden and forgotten."
Spoof letters purporting to be from developers are untrue, as are rumours currently circulating in the borough.
The only threat to the hall is from inaction, according to the council's environment and regeneration director, Andy Farrall.Mr Farrall has issued a "clear the air" statement following weeks of protests from residents claiming they have not been consulted about proposals to convert the hall into a high class hotel.
He said an ambitious project to transform Walton Hall and its estate into a regional visitor destination was agreed by the council's executive board two years ago.
Last October it was it was agreed to develop the hall and associated outbuildings into a hotel and other leisure facilities.
Plans for the creation of a golf academy based at the municipal golf course, the restoration of outbuildings and the enhancement of the range of facilities available at Walton Hall were approved, along with a series of other improvements to the parklands.
These included the creation of a vocational training academy to deliver hands-on courses in horticulture, animal care and floristry.
Since October last year, officers have been progressing these ideas and the executive board at its June meeting will consider the detailed proposals for the future of the estate.
Mr Farrall said: "The proposed project, as developed, would provide many benefits to the people of Warrington including the restoration and refurbishment of a historical local building whilst establishing Walton Hall and Estate as an attractive regional visitor destination, with improved facilities for all ages and incomes. The zoo, children's play area, parklands and much of the formal gardens will be retained and enhanced, with a commitment to improving the public access.
"The creation of over 200 new full-time and part-time jobs, access to specialist training opportunities and a new high quality hotel, conference and banqueting venue would also be of great benefit to Warrington's economy and profile as a leading place to live and work."
Mr Farrall said the basis of the project was to increase the number of visitors so it would be counter-productive to restricting public access to substantial areas of the park, as recently rumoured.
More of the estate's historic buildings would be available for the public to access than at present.
But it was likely that some small areas, immediately adjacent to the east of the hall, will have restricted access for health, safety and privacy reasons. However these restricted areas would be kept to the bare minimum.
"The draft masterplan actually proposes enhanced public access to all parts of the estate, some of which are presently hidden and forgotten."