Giant farm building
has split a village
by John Hendon
A FARM building which ended up twice as big as it should have been as a result of a planning blunder, has split a tiny community near Warrington.
Seven nearby residents, the local parish council and an action group all object to the development at Moss Hall Farm, in Moss Lane, Lower Stretton.
But 13 other residents support the scheme, which they see as necessary to safeguard local employment and retain a farming community.
Objections claim a tiny cottage has been struck and damaged seven times by heavy lorries servicing the building.
Two road signs and an electricity pole have also been struck by lorries using Well Lane, Stretton to collect potatoes stored in the building.
Warrington’s development control committee faces the task of resolving the issue.
The building which was built without planning consent but is twice the size allowable under permitted development rights. The farmer went ahead with construction after being told by the council that he did not need planning permission.
Although the council could take enforcement action, the farmer might be able to seek compensation from the authority.
Local residents oppose the development on the grounds that Well Lane and Moss Lane are not suitable for heavy lorries.
They say one cottage has been hit by lorries seven times since July last year. If proper planning procedures had been followed they could have objected on the basis Well Lane was unsuitable for heavy traffic and planning consent would have been refused.
But planning officers say permission would almost certainly have been granted had it been applied for.
The farmer has submitted a retrospective planning application and officers are recommending it be approved.
They say traffic issues in Well Lane are of concern but even if the farmer demolished half the new building to reduce its size that that allowed under permitted development rights, the same traffic and highway conditions would remain.
Funeral of tragic
murder victim
by staff reporter
THE funeral takes place tomorrow (Friday) of tragic murder victim Nicola Briggs, the 33-year-old mother-of-one whose body was found at her home in Latchford, Warrington on July 27.
Grieving family and friends will attend the service at St Peter’s Church, Oughtrington, Lymm.
Nicola, of Budworth Avenue, Latchford, was a Lymm girl and her family still live in the village.
She had latterly worked as a part-time barmaid at Warrington Town Football Club but had previously work in a corner shop in Lymm.
Brian Chorley, 61, of Archer Avenue, Warrington is currently in custody after being charged with her murder.
He was arrested after spending two weeks in hospital with neck and wrist injuries.
“Little hope for new baths”
say Liberal Democrats
by David Skentelbery
THERE now seems little hope of a new town centre swimming pool for Warrington.
This is the view of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on the borough council, following the executive board’s decision to accept a consultants’ report on the future of sport and leisure services in the borough.
Liberal Democrat leader Ian Marks said: “We are disappointed with the findings of the consultants’ report – it gives little hope for a new town centre swimming facility.”
Coun Marks added: “Sadly this comes as no surprise to us because the council has always given the impression it’s not serious about town centre swimming.
“The way forward is to bring in private sector money by combining a new baths with a much wider development proposal for the town centre. The council needs to look at this creatively. The problem is that our other existing leisure and sporting facilities have been allowed to run down over the years and so much money needs to be spent now to bring them up to scratch.”
Coun Marks said progress had been painfully slow. The latest reports suggested bringing the private sector in and this was the way forward as it would bring in much-needed extra funding. But this had been known ages ago.
“We supported a proposal to set up a leisure trust when this was first put forward but the Labour run council wouldn’t take a decision. This would have saved the council ?250,000 a year and provided better facilities.
“Instead the latest proposal recommends spending a further ?225,000 on yet more consultants. All this money we are spending on studies could have gone towards improving leisure and sports in Warrington. “
Wendy wins through
to national final
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON customer services manager has won through to the the final of the National Customer Service Awards competition to be held next month at The Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Wendy Jones, of Lowton, who works for The Airmiles Travel Company, is one of four finalists chosen from more than 1,800 applicants for the title of Customer Services Manager of the Year.
She has been with the company for five years and in that time her work had been praised both by colleagues and managers.
Sharon Kay, head of the travel centre, said: “We are extremely proud of Wendy’s achievements and wish her the best of luck in the final. Customer services is important to us and Wendy’s commitment, skill and professional manner are an example to us all”
Wendy said: “I am thrilled to have been sort-listed for this award. I really enjoy working with customers to ensure they have the best possible experience – I just hope I can make everyone proud by winning on the night.”
A chance to put a price
on family heirlooms
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON people are being urged to bring out their family heirlooms and have them valued when one of television’s auctioneers visits Golden Square Shopping Centre.
Anyone who has ever wondered how much an old item, such as a vase or picture, is worth can find out if they visit the Old Market Place on Saturday September 11 between 10am and 4pm.
Dreweatt Neate’s valuation expert James Braxton, who appears on the BBC programmes Flog It! and Bargain Hunt, will be at the centre with colleague Philip Knapper to value items. Each valuation will be done for a ?1 donation to St Rocco’s.
There will also be a valuation competition, with the chance to win ?100 worth of vouchers to spend in the shopping centre.
Anyone who is concerned about the safety of their items, can ring the centre on 655053, to arrange a valuation in a private area.
James said: “This event is an opportunity to dig out all those old family heirlooms you may have hidden away -you may be surprised at what they’re worth. And if you’re considering selling an item, you’re welcome to bring it along for us to look at on the day.”
Parish council opposes
housing scheme
by staff reporter
WOOLSTON Parish Council has objected to plans to build five houses on a site in Manchester Road.
Members complained the project, by Briden Construction Ltd, would mean overdevelopment of the site and be detrimental to the area.
But despite this, the application is being recommended for approval when it comes before Warrington’s Development Control Committee next Wednesday.
Neighbours had written to the committee saying they were concerned that hedges may be removed, that the buildings were no more than two-storeys high and the gable end of the wall was on the boundary.
Waste leakage after
tanker crash
by staff reporter
FIRE crews from Warrington, Stockton Heath and Birchwood were called to the M6 near Thelwall Viaduct after a tanker containing 3,000 gallons of human waste was involved in a collision.
The accident happened between Junctions 20 and 21 and result in waste leaking from the vehicle.
Four fire engines were sent to the scene to help deal with the problem and the waste was transfer
red to another tanker.
Police said the motorway was cleared after about half-an-hour. But there were serious tailbacks of traffic.
Concert raised ?1,200
for Help the Aged
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CONCERT held as part of the “Music in Lymm” series has raised more than ?1,200 for Help the Aged.
The concert in August was by world-famous virtuoso pianist Stephen Hough – who was brought up in Thelwall – drew a large audience at the United Reformed Church.
The next concert in the Sunday afternoon series is on October 3 by pianist Ian Buckle playing music by Prokofiev (Romeo and Juliet), Dvorak (Humoresques), Bowdon-born composer John Ireland (piano sonata) and a specially commissioned piece by Timothy Jackson.
The series continues until June next year when Serqei Salov, the Ukranian-born first prizewinner at the 2004 Montreal International Piano Competition, closes the season.
Anyone who would like to go on the mailing list for the concerts should contact Paul Cooper on 754348.
[ 02.09.2004, 10:47: Message edited by: DS ]
