Planners hear of
objections to
gypsy caravan site
by David Skentelbery
PLANNERS have decided to visit a controversial gypsy caravan site on the outskirts of Warrington before deciding whether to allow it to become a permanent development.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee agreed to go and view the Two Acre Caravan Park, in Warrington Road, Higher Walton after hearing of strong objections from nearby residents.
Walton Parish Council has also expressed concern and borough councillor Peter Walker has lodged objections.
The gypsies, who have lived on the site – illegally and legally – for about eight years, are seeking a permanent planning approval for their caravans, toilet block, access road, etc.
Currently, they have a temporary consent which expires in May 2006.
Gypsy families bought the land from the former Greenalls leisure group at an auction around 1996 and subsequently moved about 15 caravans onto the land.
The borough council subsequently refused a retrospective planning application and commenced enforcement proceedings with a view to having the gypsies evicted from their own land. But they appealed and a planning inspector ruled that they could stay on the land for four years.
Later this consent was renewed for another four years.
Now the gypsies have applied to have their planning consent made permanent. They say they cause no nuisance to neighbours, that the caravan park has become an accepted feature of the village and that it provides a home for up to 15 families at no cost to the council. Fifteen children currently attend Stockton Heath Primary School.
Sixteen neighbours have objected. They say the site is an eyesore within a conservation area and the Green Belt.
Gas cylinders are stored on the size, causing a health and safety hazard, businesses are being run from the caravans, traffic, dogs and teenagers on scooters are causing a noise nuisance. They say the borough council should find an alternative site for the caravan park and the land should be returned to grazing.
Coun Walker says the gypsies were given temporary permission to allow them time to find another site in a more appropriate location. They will have had eight years and appear to have made to attempt to find one, he says.
The inspector who originally granted planning consent acknowledged that the camp harmed the openness and rural character of the area. But he said the gypsies were not causing any nuisance to villagers and their children would benefit from a settled address.
Is James the
weakest link?
by Gary Skentelbery
Warrington archaeologist James Balme takes on a challenge of a different kind tonight (Friday Nov 25) when he appears as a contestant on the BBC2 cult quiz show ‘The Weakest Link’ hosted by Anne Robinson.
Following two auditions held in June this year James was selected to take part in the show that was recorded a short time ago.
James said: ‘Being selected to take part in the quiz show was a victory in itself, the auditions were tough but well worth the effort.
” To be on the show was a great experience for me and even though it was nerve racking it was a day that I will remember for a long time to come. As for the result of my appearance in the show all I can say is just watch the show to find out how long I lasted against the mighty Anne Robinson. It was an enjoyable day and I would do it again in the future if the opportunity arose.”
So just how did James do ?? To find out all that you have to do is to tune in to tonight’s show that starts on BBC2 at 5.10pm.
Transport team scoops
another national award
by staff reporter
STAFF at Warrington Borough Council’s transport department have scooped an award at this year’s bus equivalent of the Oscars.
They returned from the National Bus Awards ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in London with an engraved brass plaque and certificate as the runners-up in the Claudia Flanders Memorial Award for Accessibility.
The awards, which were presented by former T&G General Secretary Sir Bill Morris, recognise excellence in the bus industry and the Council is thrilled to have won such a prestigious prize.
Coun Linda Dirir, the council’s executive member for transport, said: “I am very proud and delighted with this award especially as this competition is a national affair and we faced tough competition from many large companies and local authorities.
“It also recognises the hard work and commitment of the ouncil towards making transport more accessible to people with disabilities across the borough.
“Bringing home a runners-up award is a fantastic achievement and has not only inspired us to continue developing positive transport initiatives, we are more determined to win next year!”
This is the second celebration in two months for the department as it won the service provider category at Positive Action Awards last month.
College does its bit
for Children in Need
by staff reporter
STUDENTS at Warrington’s Priestley College have raised more than ?200 for the Children in Need appeal.
The Loushers Lane site buzzed with activity as staff and students got into the spirit of things.
Staff ook part in a Dutch auction, students organised a name the bear competition and one brave student – Will Jarvis – raised money by having his chest waxed.
Many students were in fancy dress as the college showed its support for a good cause.
MP backs new measures
to combat the yobs
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has welcomed the measures outlined in the Queen’s Speech which aim to further help the police and community groups tackle litter, graffiti and vandalism.
She says tough measures introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act last year have already made a real difference in protecting communities – and cites the example of the dispersal order at Culcheth as an example that should be used elsewhere.
“I renew my call to the borough council and housing authorities to toughen up their act in seeking Anti-Social Behaviour Orders against those who make the lives of other intolerable by their actions.
“The measures in the Queen’s Speech would introduce on the spot ‘fixed penalty’ fines for anti-social offences like graffiti, fly-posting and vandalism and would give Community Support Officers, Community Wardens and Park Wardens the power to issue these fines.
“This will allow neighbourhood policing to be strengthened with officers being freed up for front line duties.”
Mobile library
is for everyone
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON’S mobile library service is for everyone.
This is the message borough council chiefs are trying to put over following a survey which showed many people believe it is a service just for elderly people.
A Town Hall spokeswoman said: “Research has shown that, despite being open to anyone and everyone, the mobile library is still seen as being ‘for old people.’
“This could not be further from the truth. The mobile library offers resources for all ages and with more than 4,000 titles on offer. All ages are catered for, from toddlers and teenagers to students and old people – and anyone in between.”
School gives pupils
a “flying start”
by staff reporter
PUPILS at a Warrington primary school are given a flying start to school life, according to inspectors from Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education.
St Margaret’s CE Primary at Orford, is a “good” school, which makes very good overall provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, the inspectors say.
A report on a recent Ofsted inspection of the school also notes that the pupils’ attitudes and behaviour is very good and adds a great deal to the life and vibrancy of the school.
Ofsted inspectors describe St Marga
ret’s as a good school where children and pupils achieve well.
Their report adds: “Much of this is due to the quality of teaching, the leadership and management of the school, the vibrant range of learning opportunities on offer and the very positive attitudes of the pupils.
“This is a school that is always looking to improve and move on, with the headteacher knowing the school’s strengths and areas for improvement very well.
” Ofsted list a number of the school’s main strengths.
Children in the Foundation Stage and pupils in Years 1-6 achieve well and standards are above average in a number of subjects by the time pupils leave the school.
Teaching and learning are good across the school with teaching assistants making a significant contribution to how well pupils learn.
The behaviour and attitudes of pupils are very good and add significantly to the very good ethos of the school.
Provision made for pupils’ personal and social development is very good with some outstanding features.
The school provides an exciting range of learning opportunities, particularly in the Foundation Stage.
Very good provision is made for pupils with special educational needs.
The individuality of pupils is recognised and celebrated and pupils are involved very well in the school’s development.
Inspectors note that the school has made good progress since the last inspection and that key issues had been tackled in a rigorous and effective manner. Many improvements have been made in the quality of teaching and in how well pupils achieve.
Many of the previously identified strengths have been maintained, and in some instances, built upon.
The report suggests the need for improvements in attendance and punctuality, which the school has addressed by promoting the importance of these.
A clear strength of the school is its ability to continually evaluate the quality of education it provides and look for ways to be even better.
Attainment, at the school, is well above average in mathematics, above average in science and average in English with the inspection showing a continuing trend of improvement.
A consistent theme throughout the report was the school’s focus on the care and welfare of all pupils – including opportunities for pupils to improve aspects of school life.
Headteacher Chris Pegman said: “We are delighted that the quality of the teaching and learning that makes St Margaret’s such a vibrant and successful school has been recognised by the inspectors.
“The fact that the children’s very positive attitude to school was highlighted as a particular strength is a reflection of the caring and positive attitude of everyone involved in the provision of education at St Margaret’s.”
An evening
with Impact
by staff reporter
Impact, an award-winning local theatre group, will be presenting ‘An Evening With Impact’ at the Studio Theatre, Insall Road, Padgate, Warrington tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm.
A programme to suit everyone will include songs, sketches and excerpts from Blood Brothers, Cabaret, Talking Heads, Shirley Valentine and Road.
Impact member Jeff Butler said: “Impact makes quality theatre available to everyone, Last year’s ‘Evening with Impact’ production was taken on tour, and proved to be so successful that bookings are already coming in for the all new 2005 edition”
Store evacuated after
fork lift truck fire
by staff reporter
NIGHT staff were evacuated from the B&Q superstore at Winwick Quay, Warrington early today when a fork lift truck caught fire.
Parts of the building were heavily smokelogged but no-one was hurt and firefighters managed to restrict damage to the truck itself. The store was due to open as usual today.
A Fire Service spokesman said an electrical fault had caused the outbreak.
In a separate incident, vandals smashed the windscreen of a van parked at the rear of a house in Clifton Street, Latchford, Warrington and set fire to the interior of the vehicle. Severe damage was caused.
[ 30.11.2004, 10:41: Message edited by: DS ]
