Planners think twice on
“affordable” homes scheme
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have put off a decision on a controversial housing scheme because they are not convinced that 100 so-called “affordable” homes will in fact be within the reach of local people.
They say a planning inspection granted consent for 224 homes off Oughtrington Lane and Longbutt Lane, Lymm, only on condition half the properties would be “affordable. in perpetuity.”
In fact the three-storey flats developers Wilson Connolly North West are proposing as the “affordable” element in the development will require an income of about ?27,000-a-year to purchase or cost ?650 a-month to rent.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt told the development control committee: “The people in need of these properties haven’t got this sort of income and can’t afford rents like this.
“This scheme is out of character with the area and does not meet the ‘affordable in perpetuity’ criteria laid down by the inspector.”
She said the outline planning consent – granted after an appeal – was the most disgraceful and perverse decision ever known in the borough.
Coun Ian Marks said: “This development was opposed by the people of Lymm but it’s only saving grace was it provided the opportunity for affordable housing in the village.
“Despite efforts by the planners, these houses are still not genuinely affordable.”
Coun Marks said there were too many flats and not enough houses in the plan and the three-storey properties would be visible for miles around as they were on an elevated site.
Highway safety was an issue that seemed to have been completely ignored. But the nearby Lymm High School had nearly 2000 pupils, many of who would have to walk passed the proposed entrance to the estate.
“I don’t believe a proper traffic study has ever been carried out,” he added.
The committee deferred a decision for the applicants to provide more information on the “affordable” housing.
Arts Council seeks
“pavement artists”
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON’S budding artists are invited to take over a town centre shopping centre in a mass-art event.
Promoters Warrington Arts Council want 100 people to create their ‘masterpiece in chalk’ in the Old Market Place heritage centre.
The sheltered area will be barriered off on Saturday, September 18, so that children and adults can work on their pavement creations.
The artists get the chance to win the top prize of ?50 and a number of other cash awards and commendations.
Arts Council spokeswoman, Karen Gatley, said: “This is a great chance for the community to express itself in art events.”
The Council will provide non-toxic chalks, but entrants should supply their own kneeler mats.
Arts chairman, Margaret Tye, said: “We want people to be involved in a great creative event.”
Children must be seven and older and supervised up to the age of 12 by an adult.
Entry forms from Ron France, 01925-634198.
Car driver trapped
after collision
by staff reporter
FIRE crews assisted paramedics to release a driver trapped when his car was in collision with a van in Millhouse Lane, Croft, near Warrington.
The car driver was trapped by the door and was believed to have spinal injuries.
Firefighters from Birchwood and Warrington were involved in the operation.
A spokesman said: “We had to extricate him very carefully because of the possibility he had spinal injuries. After that he was taken to hospital by ambulance.”
The other driver was not seriously hurt.
Planners in doubt over
historic battle site
by staff reporter
COUNCILLORS are to visit the site of a proposed housing development on land where Roundheads and Cavaliers once clashed.
Members of Warrington’s development control committee want to see the site off Newton Road, Winwick before they decide whether developers want to demolish a bungalow and built four executive homes on the land.
Winwick Parish Council is opposing the scheme, on the grounds it would be an over-development of the plot and there are also objections from four neighbours.
The bungalow, “Ferndell”, is in an area where Parliamentary forces clashed with Royalists fleeing northwards as England was consumed by bloody civic war.
Muskets and swords have been found in the area.
Planning officers say the site is within a woodland area characterised by large houses set within substantial grounds.
The new homes would be clustered together.
“On balance, the proposal would not have a significant harmful impact on the character of the area and the amount of built form is not excessive”, they say.
But after hearing of residents’ concerns over loss of privacy, parking problems and the removal of a boundary hedge, councillors decided to visit the site before making a decision.
Registration scheme
for memorial masons
by John Hendon
A REGISTRATION scheme for memorial masons is to be introduced in Warrington.
The borough council has drawn up the scheme to ensure standards of workmanship, materials used, safety, etc., are maintained.
It will replace a basic scheme which has existed for some time to ensure memorials are erected to a satisfactory standard and that masons have adequate public liability insurance.
The move follows recent controversial action by the council to check existing gravestones across the borough for safety.
Hundreds of headstones were laid flat as a result of the survey – leading to complaints from families who arrived to find the memorials to loved ones had been laid flat without them being notified.
The new scheme will be in line with a registration scheme drawn up by the Institute of Cemeteries and Crematorium Management (ICCM) in conjunction with the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM). A national accreditation scheme, to be known as the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons has been developed.
Once implemented, all memorial masons wishing to work in Warrington’s cemeteries will be required to register on the scheme, following a reasonable period to allow for their training and accreditation.
News in brief
Road humps
HIGHWAYS chiefs plan to introduce anti-speed humps on various roads in the Blackbrook area of Warrington to slow down traffic. The humps are proposed for Waddington Close, Ruilsip Court, Valley Court, Gosport Close and Catfoss Close.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 11, 13 and 16. The ?200 jackpot went unclaimed and the consolation prize was won by D Keaveney. Next week’s jackpot will be about ?350.
Security fence
PLANS for a security fence at the rear of the Spectrum Arena, in Benson Road, Birchwood, Warrington have been submitted to the borough council by Done Bookmakers.
Hospital bid
NORTH Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking planning consent to instal two mental containers for the storage of soiled linen awaiting collection.
