500 in fight to
topple phone mast
plan near nursery
by David Skentelbery
MORE than 500 people at Warrington are opposing a controversial plan to erect a 60ft high mobile phone mast within yards of a sports centre where there is a children’s nursery.
The mast would tower above outdoor tennis courts at the David Lloyd Centre in Sankey Way, Great Sankey.
A total of 528 people have signed a protest petition, 14 neighbours have written individual letters of objection and the proposal is also being opposed by Great Sankey Parish Council.
The parish council says the mast – to resemble a lamp post on the grass verge at the side of the A57 Sankey Way – would be too close to leisure facilities and houses and would have a damaging visual impact on the area.
Neighbours say the mast would have a detrimental visual impact on the street scene and could raise health issues for nearby residents, people using the leisure centre and children using the nursery at the centre.
They point out that a previous application to erect a similar mast on the Crosfields’ recreation ground, on the opposite side of Sankey Way, was refused on health grounds. They also claim applicants O2 have not adequately considered more suitable alternative sites.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. They say the earlier scheme was refused because of a lack of information about the “beam of greatest intensity.” But in this case there is information which shows the beam of greatest intensity will not be directed at either the playing fields, community centre nor the David Lloyd Centre.
They also reject objections on the grounds of visual amenity as the mast will be of similar profile and size to lamp posts in Sankey Way and floodlights on the tennis courts.
The nearest house is about 90 yards away – and the applicant has submitted evidence of a comprehensive study of possible alternative sites and also the possibility of mast sharing.
Media students’ documentary
A SERIES of interviews on sexual health was carried out by Warrington Collegiate’s Media Studies students, who were making a video documentary as part of their studies.
The group aimed to raise awareness of sexual health, following a recent survey showing the one in 10 young people have contracted a sexually transmitted infection.
Brogan Backhouse, 16, of Thames Close Warrington, conducted interviews with fellow students as part of the documentary to highlight the national increase in this type of infection.
Historic pub to get
extra protection
by David Skentelbery
A 444-year-old pub which survived Cromwell’s cannon balls, town centre re-development and attempts by a brewery to change its name, is to receive extra protection – from pigeons.
Planners have approved the installation of anti-pigeon spikes and netting at the listed Barley Mow in Golden Square, Warrington, which dates from 1561.
The anti-pigeon equipment will protect upper windows and gutters on the black-and-white, half-timbered building.
Internal alterations will also be carried out to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Royalists and Cromwellian forces fought a battle over Warrington in 1643 – damaging the parish church but not the Barley Mow. In the 70s, the town centre underwent massive re-development, but the old pub was cocooned for several years to protect it from damage.
In the late 90s, thousands of people signed a petition to block a brewery’s plan to change its name to the Flail and Firkin.
Now it should be able to survive pigeon droppings as well.
Candidate’s warning
on climate change
by staff reporter
URGENT action is needed to combat the threat of global warming according to Coun Ian Marks, the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington.
Speaking at his party’s annual conference, he said it was the most serious threat facing the people of Warrington, and that climate change due to greenhouse gases is happening at a faster rate than expected.
He said: “We must act urgently to persuade councils, businesses, public and private bodies to take all reasonable action to reduce greenhouse gases. Not enough is being done.
“There is overwhelming evidence that the oceans are heating up and the Antarctic ice cap is melting. If we are not careful we will reach the point of no return in five to ten years time,” he added.
He was particularly critical of the role of America saying it was a major contributor to the problem, but that the President and his senior advisers are in denial that a problem exists.
“They say that global warming is a fiction and efforts to control emissions are designed to sabotage the US economy. What is downright despicable is that these advisers are also lobbyists for the energy companies who are major contributors to the Republican Party,” he added.
Library celebrates
its 40th birthday
by Lesley Wilkinson
EVERYONE is invited to join in five days of fun to mark the 40th anniversary of Culcheth Library.
Events culminate with a cake-cutting ceremony and speeches on Thursday March 24 at the library in Warrington Road, and a prize for anyone who shares the library’s birthday.
Adults and children are invited to the birthday events.
Celebrations start on Friday March 18 from 2pm with a discussion on 40 years of books. Visitors will be able to discuss their favourite books from the past 40 years with other readers, and there will be displays of books.
On Saturday March 19, there will be a children’s craft day when youngsters, aged seven to 12, will be invited to paint their own T-shirt.
An invitation to re-live the 60s is issued on Monday March 21, when there will be special displays and a quiz on the era.
On Tuesday March 22, there will be a session on Culcheth Memories from 10am to 12noon, where visitors can learn how to trace the history of their house. A second session, from 2pm to 4pm, will enable visitors to view photographs of old Culcheth and share memories of the village over a cuppa.
The final event will be the Birthday Party on Thursday, with an official ceremony at 11am. There will be refreshments and a prize for anyone who shares the same birthday as the library.
All events are free of charge although booking is required for most, telephone the library in 763293 to register.
Attack victim suffered
fractured cheekbone
by staff reporter
A 28-year-old man was taken to hospital at Warrington after suffering a fractured cheek bone and other injuries in a street attack.
He was outside the Spa Brook public house in Howson Road, Orford, when the attack took place.
A youth approached him and struck him in the face and about the head.
Police say a large number of people were in the area at the time and may have witnessed the attack.
Anyone who has any information should contact DC Jackie Daniels of Warrington CID on 01244 613845.
The victim of the attack is likely to require ongoing hospital treatment.
Nursery plan sparks
council objection
by John Hendon
PLANS to convert a private house into a 50-place children’s day nursery at Grappenhall, near Warrington have caused a storm of protest.
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council has lodged an objection and nearby residents are also opposing the scheme.
The property involved is a substantial detached house with a large rear garden close to the Dog and Dart public house.
Parish councillors say the scheme will generate a considerable number of car-borne visitors who will park on the busy A50 close to a garage and a junction which is already dangerous.
Parking provision for the nursery was inadequate and suitable only for the staff.
Neighbours also fear traffic and parking problems and say the scheme would create an accident blackspot. They also claim the si
te is unsuitable for a nursery because it is next to a garage which creates fumes and noise.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved, however. They say there are no objections on highways grounds and the rear garden is contained by a high closed boarded fence and brick wall.
The applicant is prepared to carry out planting to further create visual and acoustic barriers.
