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.”
No threat to Walton Hall – council
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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.
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Yeah right… like we’re going to read that at face value…
“The only threat to the hall is from inaction, according to the council’s environment and regeneration director, Andy Farrall.”
– Well, the inaction of the last 20 years has made this a sad reality.
“residents claiming they have not been consulted”
– They have not. That’s why 16,000 people on Facebook and 6,000 on a petition are up in arms.
“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.”
– How was ANYTHING AGREED or APPROVED prior to significant public consultation on one of the most valued areas in or town?
“These included the creation of a vocational training academy to deliver hands-on courses in horticulture, animal care and floristry.”
– Great idea. Why does this require a boutique hotel?
“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.”
– Walton Gardens ALREADY offers a great benefit to the people of Warrington. It is ALREADY offered as a Weddings, Banqueting and Meeting venue. However, currently that does not involve restricting public access and ‘giving away’ our heritage.
“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”.
– The hotel will need to increase the numbers of PAYING VISITORS in order to cover it’s costs.
“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”
– Well, and car parking, access, daily laundry, building workers, the 200 staff, and the lawns at the top.
“The draft masterplan actually proposes enhanced public access to all parts of the estate, some of which are presently hidden and forgotten.”
– They are going to pretend the overflow car park is a valued, hidden and forgotten aspect? ha ha ha.
“Spoof letters purporting to be from developers are untrue, as are rumours currently circulating in the borough.”
Really? I was convinced they were real!! And quite amusing, love to know who did them! If you’ve not read, it’s here: http://rapidshare.com/files/391658123/Walton_Gardens_-_leaflet_purporting_to_be_from_the_developers.jpg.html
If there are 200 employees cars, how many visitors are there room for?
Mr Farrall said…….””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.”…………….. how will the private development benefit Warrington’s economy ??? Surely it will only benefit the pockets of the owners ie Contessa. Also why will one boutique hotel, pub and conference rooms make Warrington one of the leading places to live and work ???
Will WBC be receving a % of any money taken from paying visitors or hotel guests or maybe a monthly rental income ??? Can’t see any benefits for Warrington by this development other than saving the council a bit of money each year of course in running costs. Infact Mr Farrall’s whole statement is odd the more you read it.
Where is the masterplan then and why is it not public?
the draft masterplan and fuller briefings note has now ‘appeared’ on the councils website 🙂
http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/WHM%20PPA%202_tcm15-44957.pdf
http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/Briefing%20note%20on%20proposed%20developments%20of%20Walton%20Hall%20and%20Gardens_tcm15-44958.doc
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.
These areas being some of the most popular ie the stepped grass area and bandstand…HEALTH AND SAFETY !!! the LIAR is just using buzzwords and standard phrases instead of honestly consulting the public… WHat risk is there to health and safety in on a lawn???
It is clear to see that the “False letter” referenced is a joke. However WBC seem to be now using this obvious bit of tomfoolery to play down genuine concerns over the genuine plans. By merging it into the mainstream to allieviate the concerns of those with only a passing intrest. At first glance the WBCs “No threat to Walton Hall” statement would suggest “NO CHANGE” where this is far from the truth.
I’m still calling for an organised protest !!!
IMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED
As soon as possible we need to find a way to halt the current process until proper public consultation has been carried out, we must have a public demonstration at the council offices!
On the 14th June, yes in a few weeks time WBC will give Contessa Hotels a 125 year lease and that will be the end of our park, this is a non reversible process!
Have no doubt that unless we halt this despicable process before the WBC Executive Meeting on Monday June 14th then we will only have ourselves to blame for allowing WBC to steal OUR park!
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
“THERE is no threat to Walton Hall nor its grounds, arising from Warrington Borough Council’s regeneration plans, a Town Hall chief says”…………………………………………………That’s as much a joke as the spoof leaflet going around! The only difference being, the spoof is funny whilst the council’s statements are in extremely bad taste!
What exactly are the ‘small areas to the east’ of the hall? Rose garden? Mini-golf? Children’s zoo? This article was just a few weeks ago, and since then, the council has admitted that a private developing group (‘Contessa’) has already been in consultation with the WBC and that a ‘partnership’ has formed – and of course this ‘partnership’ is for the benefit of local residents! Read my sarcasm. And I just knew that the council would focus on ‘jobs created for the area.’ Uh huh. Meaning if you’re against development, you’re against increasing employment opportunities. Right.