Revival plan for
eyesore site
is put on hold
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING bosses at Warrington have put off a decision on a bold plan to convert a sprawling, rundown industrial site into a major new residential and employment area.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee deferred consideration of the proposals for the 10-acre site off Bewsey Road and close to the new ?12 million Warrington Wolves Rugby League stadium.
It will now be dealt with at a future meeting.
The site is currently is occupied by a range of industrial buildings, some dilapidated and disused and others inefficiently used.
Developers Morley Pooled Pensions want to build 123 dwellings occupying 65 per cent of the site with small business workshops on the rest, forming a “buffer zone” between the homes and an existing concrete batching plant in Dallam Lane.
The dwellings, a mix of two bedroom, three-storey apartments and three and four bedroom town houses of two and three storeys, would range along Bewsey Road and around courtyards. About five per cent of them would be classed as “affordable homes.”
There would be landscaping and tree planting to protect the amenity of the new residents and an area of public open space, including a children’s play area.
Planning officers say the development would contribute to the economic and environmental regeneration of a rundown area and could provide a stimulus for further development on the northern edge of the town centre.
But neighbours say new residents will have to endure noisy, aggressive rugby supporters, rowdyism, fighting, car parking and alcohol related problems.
Police probe
failed ram-raid
by staff reporter
POLICE are investigating an attempted ram-raid at Warrington’s LA Bowl bowling centre.
The raid took place in the early hours of the morning.
A Land Rover-style vehicle was used to reverse into the doors of the building.
But witnesses raised the alarm and police were on the scene in minutes. It is understood the ram vehicle was abandoned at the scene and that nothing was stolen from the property.
Brun’s “awesome” meeting
with the Prime Minister
by Lesley Wilkinson
A TIRELESS worker for disabled people in Warrington, Brunhilde Corbishley, was invited to a special reception in London with Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.
“Brun”, aged 47, development and promotions manager with Warrington Disability Partnership, was invited to the evening reception for those who work in the non-profit sector.
More than 450 guests from organisations throughout the country were invited to the event at Lancaster House, St James Palace.
She said that Mr Blair gave a speech welcoming everyone and saying what an important contribution the voluntary sector makes.
“It was just awesome having been picked out to be there, ” said Brun. “It felt very special to be there chatting to everyone. It was a wonderful night and a great thrill to be chosen.”
Brun, of Bewsey, has a lot of experience working in the voluntary sector and with people with disabilities. She has been in her current post for 15 months.
Teenage girl
assaulted
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was indecently assaulted as she walked along Northway, Orford, Warrington in the evening.
The girl was walking with a 14-year-old friend towards the Collegiate building when two men walking in the opposite direction passed them. As they passed, one of the men indecently assaulted one of the girls.
The men then walked on up Northway.
Police said the men were in their late 20s or early 30s with dark, gelled hair. One had his hair cut in a “mushroom style” on top and shaved at the back. The other man wore a white tee-shirt.
The girl was unhurt but was distressed by the incident.
Anyone who can help police is asked to call PC Pam Hopkins on 01244 350000.
Garden centre car
park plan rejected
by John Hendon
PLANNERS at Warrington have thrown out proposals for an overflow car park at a garden centre – despite assurances that it would retain its “green field” appearance.
Sonny Brunsveld, proprietor of the Willowpool Garden Centre in Burford Lane, Lymm had pledged to lay a green plastic open weave surface that would stop cars bogging down in wet weather but allow the grass to grow through.
But officers claimed this would amount to an “engineering operation” which would be inappropriate in the Green Belt.
They recommended the scheme be refused and the committee agreed.
Neither Lymm Parish Council nor the highways department objected to the scheme, although a number of neighbours expressed concern about over-development of the site resulting in traffic congestion and unacceptable noise levels.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said the parish council had raised no objection provided the site was covered with a plastic or wire matting which would prevent the field from being churned up and allow grass to grow through.
Mr Brunsveld said this was proposed, together with landscaping which would screen parked cars from the road. The field would only be used as an “overflow” car park when necessary.
He pointed out that traffic congestion was frequently caused by cars parking in the road outside the garden centre. But no-one wanted yellow lines which would be an eyesore.
After the committee’s decision, he indicated he intended to appeal against the refusal.
Lions join forces
to help Alexander
by Lesley Wilkinson
FOUR Lions clubs from Warrington joined forces to help buy a special wheelchair to make life a little easier for a 12-years-old disabled boy.
The clubs, from Birchwood, Culcheth, Warrington and Westbrook together donated ?651 towards the cost of a specially adapted wheelchair for Alexander Butt, of Manchester Road.
He suffers from Cerebro casto-mandibular syndrome, and needs 24-hour care. The cheque was presented by Lions Clubs’ representatives at the wheelchair supplier’s shop Millercare, Warrington.
Paul Saverimuttu, of Culcheth Lions, said the clubs often make donations to individuals, frequently at the request of Social Services. He said because the grant was for a larger amount than usual, the four clubs decided to combine.
“The family was really grateful for the grant, they had been struggling to obtain enough funds. It will make a real difference to his care,” said Paul.
Rock on…for the
battle of the bands
by staff reporter
EIGHT rock bands will compete in a “Battle of the Bands” at Warrington’s Parr Hall tomorrow (Saturday).
The event, backed by the borough council’s youth service but organised by young people themselves, offers the winning band the chance of a date in a local recording studio.
More than 50 bands originally applied to take part in the “battle” but the organisers had to select eight because of time constraints.
A panel of judges will decide the winner and organisers are hoping for a good audience.
Spokesman Mike Dodsworth: “One of the aims is to show that youth can set a good example by organising an event like this. We are hoping to get a good audience.
“If the event is a success, we hope to make it an annual event.”
The bands involved are from Warrington, Widnes and the Wirral. The event starts at 6.30pm.
Action to end
phone scams
by staff reporter
A DISTURBING increase in the number of telephone prize scams has prompted action to end the calls currently plaguing Warrington households.
Coun Ian Marks, the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South said: “Local residents may end up paying as much as ?1.50 a minute for telephone calls if tricked into responding to the claim that they have won a prize.
“There has been a recent ex
plosion in the number of people receiving unwanted automated telephone calls telling them to dial another number to claim a reward.
“If the prize number is rung, then the caller is strung along for a premium rate call. They may end up listening to a recorded message costing up to ?20. The prize if there is one, usually turns out to have a catch. The Office of Fair Trading revealed recently that Britons lose out from such marketing tactics to the tune of ?150 million a year.”
Coun Marks said firms operating the scams had dodged the law by basing themselves outside the country, but a new European law would change this.
“I welcome this better protection from fraudsters. It will make unsuspecting people less vulnerable to attempts by unscrupulous people to con them out of money.”
