?15,000 consultants to
fight council’s battle?
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to agree to the appointment of consultants, at a cost of up to ?15,000, to represent the borough council at a public inquiry.
The inquiry will be into an appeal by Tarmac Ltd against the council’s refusal to grant planning permission for a roadstone plant at Antrim Road, off Hawleys Lane, Warrington.
Officers say they would have difficulty in representing the council’s case because they originally recommended the scheme be approved.
In fact, members of the development control committee threw the scheme out on traffic and highways grounds.
They said the development would worsen traffic conditions on a road network already operating at beyond its design capacity, particularly at the junction of the A49 Winwick Road and Hawleys Lane.
The additional traffic generated by the roadstone plant would result in additional congestion and traffic queues to the detriment of highway safety.
In refusing planning consent they said: “Until such time as improvements can be carried out within the A49 corridor, the development would have an unacceptable impact on the safe use of the highway network.”
A report to be considered by the committee next week states: “Under normal circumstances officers would prepare and present the council’s case. However, in this case officers raised no objections to the proposed development having taken into account material planning and highway considerations.
“Officers would be placed in a very difficult position under cross examination at the inquiry if officers presented evidence justifying the refusal of permission having previously recommended that the application be approved.
“From previous experience this could severely undermine the council’s case.”
Consultants experienced in highway matters have been approached and could be expected to charge between ?10,000 and ?15,000 to prepare evidence and represent the council at the inquiry.
This cost would cover highway evidence only and would not take into account any additional legal costs or the need for any specific planning evidence to be prepared.
Villagers await result
of “mansion house” inquiry
by David Skentelbery
VILLAGERS at Culcheth, near Warrington are now awaiting the result of a second public inquiry into controversial proposals to build 36 houses on land off Wigshaw Lane and Hob Hey Lane.
The hearing – originally scheduled to last two days – was all over in a day after a planning inspector had heard arguments for and against the proposals put forward by developers Redrow Homes.
More than 160 local people originally opposed the scheme, together with Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council, the Council for the Protection of Rural England and Culcheth and Croft Bridleway Association.
Much of the opposition involved the proposed apartment block, known as the “Mansion House” – condemned as a “looming bulk” by the inspector who conducted the first inquiry.
Redrow amended their proposals to reduce this building from four to three storeys, but objectors claimed it would still be an over-dominant feature.
The site involves the wooded grounds of the former home of environmentalist Joseph Lythgoe, a former chairman of the local branch of the CPRE.
He died some years ago and his house now stands empty and boarded-up. But during his lifetime he planted hundreds of trees on his land to add interest to what would otherwise have been a flat, uninspiring landscape.
Many of these trees would have to be felled for the scheme to go ahead – and Mr Lythgoe’s former home, Swinhoe House, would have to be demolished.
Women take up challenge –
driving an army lorry!
by Lesley Wilkinson
TWO women friends from Lymm, near Warrington, took the opportunity to drive a fire engine, police car and an army lorry, when they joined a Ladies Driving Challenge.
The event, on land near the M56 at Appleton Thorn, was to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Gillian Fuller, 58, formerly of Hazel Drive, Lymm, drove up to Warrington for the day from her new home in Weobley, Herefordshire, to take part. She joined her friend Catherine Waters, 78, of Rectory Lane, for the day of fun.
The two, both former Lady Captains of Lymm Golf Club, raised ?600 between them by taking part in the challenge.
Gillian said she drove up to Warrington from Herefordshire in the morning, spend the full day driving, and then returned home. The two women both drove an articulated lorry, fire engine and police car.
“We drove the lorry in and out of a series of cones, it was really good fun. The instructors were very kind,” she said.
I enjoyed driving the fire engine, with all the lights and sirens going. I then drove a police car on a track, and was photographed by a speed camera, it was exciting,” she added.
Police, fire and lorry drivers were on hand to assist women taking part in the challenge. There were also drivers and vehicles from the Royal Mail, farms and army.
“There were about 400 women taking part, and it was fun to chat to everyone about what they were doing,” said Gillian.
“Both of our families, like most, have been touched by cancer and we felt the driving challenge was a worthwhile event to take part in an raise funds,” she added.
Smokers quit the habit –
with help at the pharmacy
by Lesley Wilkinson
A STOP smoking project set up at five pharmacists at Warrington has enabled 44 per cent of people seeking help to quit the habit.
The pilot project, set up in January, has proved so successful that more pharmacists are planning to join.
Shops taking part were given specialist training by Warrington Primary Care Trust’s Stop Smoking Service team. Smokers were either referred by their GP or made an appointment themselves with the pharmacy.
Smokers were given an initial consultation in a private area at the pharmacy, and then returned for up to seven weekly sessions.
Pharmacist manager at the Co-op Pharmacy at Birchwood, Kate Molyneux said: “It’s about people getting the most appropriate treatment in the most appropriate place.
“Going to your local pharmacy for help giving up smoking will be the most convenient option for a lot of people. We are moving away from what people traditionally think of as the pharmacist’s role and are dealing much more directly with the public.”
One of the successful candidates was Angela Holley, 56, from Birchwood, who quit her 15-a-day habit after attending the sessions.
“I had been wanting to give up for years. It’s very convenient going to the pharmacist and I didn’t have to wait for an appointment,” she said.
Sheila Cahill, the PCT’s stop smoking service co-ordinator, said: “The promotion of health and the prevention of disease are seen as a priority by the Government and local healthcare professionals. Increasingly, pharmacists are being recognised as an important point for health improvement initiatives.”
Other pharmacists taking part are the Co-op Pharmacy, Lodge Lane, Culcheth, Orford Pharmacy, Cotswold Rd, Superdrug, Cockhedge Centre, Warrington and Lloyds Pharmacy, Honiton Way, Penketh.
Anyone wanting help to give up should contact Warrington Stop Smoking Service on 843713.
Six houses planned
for school site
by staff reporter
DEVELOPERS are seeking planning consent for six houses on the site of the former Our Lady’s RC Primary School, in St Mary’s Street, Latchford, Warrington.
Outline planning consent for housing already exists on the site, which is owned by the borough council.
But an earlier scheme involving 10 houses was withdrawn after complaints that the properties would be too close together.
A neighbour has expressed concern at the loss of attractive trees and conifers, but there are no objections to the scheme.
Planning officers say althou
gh there is an over-supply of housing land in Warrington, this site is within the inner borough where residential development would assist with regeneration of the area.
The site is currently overgrown and untidy.
Fugitive rescued
from brook
by staff reporter
FIRE crews performed an unusual task during the night – rescuing a man who had fallen into a brook while running away from police.
The man, in his mid-30s, stumbled into the brook off Hawleys Lane, Warrington, while being chased by police.
He got stuck in the mud and firefighters were called to extricate him, using ropes. A Fire Service spokesman said: “It was almost impossible to recognise him as he was covered in mud.” The man was arrested as soon as he was pulled to safety.
Poetry evening
offers help
by Lesley Wilkinson
ANYONE interested in putting their thoughts into verse may find help at a Poetry Evening being held at Warrington Library.
Similar events have proved a great success attracting poets from throughout the town and fans of the spoken work.
The event will be on Friday November 12 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
Organisers say that given the potential adult theme of some of the poems the evening is for people aged 16 or over.
Refreshments will be available during the evening.
Fridge blast
in flats
by staff reporter
HOOLIGANS who placed a firework in an old fridge caused an explosion which filled a block of flats with smoke and fumes.
The fridge had been placed on a landing at the flats in Alder Lane, Orford, Warrington for disposal.
Youths are believed to have placed the firework inside and then run off.
The explosion burst the fridge open and filled corridors with smoke and fumes from the chemicals in the fridge. But no-one was hurt.
Restaurant to
become shop
by David Skentelbery
PLANS to convert part of an Italian restaurant into a shop are to come before Warrington’s development control committee on Wednesday.
The scheme involves Renato’s in Common Lane, Culcheth, on land adjoining the site of a number of newly constructed shops, with offices above them.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council has objected to the change of use on the grounds that it will cause extra traffic at a difficult junction.
They claim there are already difficulties at the Wigshaw Lane junction including inappropriate parking next to Waterfield’s bakery shop.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved and say the change to retain use will complement the vitality and viability of the existing village shopping centre.
Given the size of Renato’s car park it is unlikely there will be indiscriminate parking on the highway either by customers of the shops or the restaurant.
