Green light for
waste mountain!
by Terry Johnson
A PLAN to “grow” a waste mountain within a nationally important waterfowl sanctuary in Warrington has been given the go-ahead – because developers Peel Holdings Ltd. say they intend eventually to turn it into a nature reserve.
But it will be 16 years before this vision becomes reality. Meantime, 85 tipper lorries a day will rumble to the site alongside Thelwall Viaduct.
The waste mountain could reach 66ft. high – changing the face of an old Mersey dredging ground east of the M6 with the dumping of 1.7m. cubic metres of material.
Peel plan to recover vast amounts of sand and silt dredged from the river over half a century. This will be sold to the construction industry while demolition and excavation wastes are imported to the site, off Manchester Road, Woolston.
Other dredging material would be used in aggregates, soils and soil substitutes.
Up to 20,000 tonnes of ‘green waste’ a year would be composted on the site, which is an area of Special Scientific Interest and of great value to wintering waterfowl.
English Nature and the Environment Agency do not object to the proposal because it would eventually mean new habitat creation within a 25-year aftercare programme.
Warrington planner, Dave Ringwood, said: “The development of a waste management facility within a Site of Special Scientific Interest would normally be looked on unfavourably, due to its ecological impact”.
The Woolston Eyes Conservation Group, which protects the wildlife sanctuary, says: “Peel’s development represents a real opportunity for habitat improvement and the long-term future of the site as a wetland nature reserve”.
Planners say that in a ‘worst case scenario’ as many as 165 wagon movements a day would focus on the busy A57/M6 roundabout.
Soaking for Rector
at church gala
by Gary Skentelbery
THE Rector of St Oswalds Church, Winwick near Warrington, entered the spirit of the occasion when he went in the stocks to help raise funds at the annual Winwick Church Gala.
There was no shortage of takers willing to spend a pound to give the Rector Rev Bob Lewis a good soaking, which was probably welcome in the heatwave.
Holly Bennett, aged 14, a student at Culcheth high School was crowned Gala Queen by Mrs Jean Starkey, an active member of the church for more than 30 years.
Alex Newell, also aged 14, was crowned Rose Princess.
It was one of many events taking across Warrington at the weekend including Bawming the Thorn at Appleton and Thelwall Rose Queen.
New chief’s pledge to
speed up treatment
by John Hendon
MOTHER-of-two Allison Cooke takes over as new chief executive of Warrington Primary Care Trust(NHS) – with a pledge to further speed up hospital and GP treatment.
She comes to Warrington from Bebington and West Wirral PCT, where she was chief executive since 2001.
Mrs Cooke has an MSc in primary health care and also an Open University BA degree. She became chief of East Hertfordshire NHS Trust in 1995.
Warrington PCT is responsible for the delivery of the best healthcare, commissioning hospital care and specialist treatment and services outside hospital.
Stated Mrs Cooke: “We need to continue the significant progress already made – reducing further the waiting times for hospital treatment and speeding up patients seeing GP’s and practice nurses.
“We are also keen to increase the range of community services to give patients more choice and ensure they do not need to go to hospital unnecessarily.
“By developing these services we are moving beyond traditional ways of working and looking creatively at how we can do things differently to make best use of limited financial resources.”
She added: “In coming months we will be carrying out a consultation with the public to better understand their needs regarding service provision.
“We welcome as much feedback as possible. We will be letting people know how they can make their voices heard.”
Anti-social yobs
anger pensioners
by Lesley Wilkinson
ANTI-social behaviour near a block of retirement apartments is making life unbearable for residents, Stockton Heath Parish Council heard.
Coun Celia Jordan said that people at Brindley Court, London Road, were facing anti-social behaviour.
“People are climbing on London Bridge, throwing stuff over the wall which could bounce into a window. People are also defecating at the side of the flats,” she said.
She said security measures were being investigated with the staff and the Police Community Support Officers.
“It is a sad reflection of the way that society is going,” she added.
Council gives itself
planning permission
by David Skentelbery
COUNCILLORS have given themselves planning permission for a children’s play area – despite being warned by planning officers that it would cause noise and disturbance for nearby residents.
Members of Warrington’s development control committee approved plans, submitted by the borough council, for the play area adjoining St Benedict’s RC Primary School of Cabul Close.
They heard six neighbours had objected – but 32 had signed letters supporting the scheme.
Planning officer Gareth Wildgoose the close proximity of houses would result in considerable noise and disturbance to immediate neighbours in Cabul Close.
“This would result in demonstrable harm to the residential amenity currently afforded to the properties.”
In addition, the scheme would result in the loss of a small area of the school playing field.
Objectors claimed there would be a noise nuisance and that children would not be safe using the play area as it was not in an open location. It was also likely to attract youths indulging in anti-social behaviour.
But supporters claimed the play area would be of considerable benefit to the local community. It was the only suitable play area and was already use, unofficially, by local children.
Cash to cut
choking fumes
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON is to get an extra ?69,000 funding to cut choking fumes.
Government cash will be used to enforce Warrington’s ‘cleaner vehicle’ campaign, aimed at reducing air pollution from badly-tuned engines.
Environmental health manager, Phil Woods, said: “A poorly-tuned engine can emit 11 times the volume of carbon monoxide as a well-tuned engine.
“This funding means we can improve our monitoring programme”.
Extra information will be made available to the public on the effect their vehicles are having on air quality.
Community Services spokeswoman, Pat Wright, said: “We want to encourage car owners to keep their vehicles well tuned. This makes good economic sense, as well as being good for health and the environment.”
Shop plan
rejected
by David Skentelbery
NEIGHBOURS have persuaded planners to throw out proposals to convert a terraced cottage into a fashion shop in London Road, Stockton Heath.
Seven residents lodged objections and the borough’s development control committee voted 7-2 to refuse permission. Officers had recommended approval.
Coun Celia Jordan described the proposal as “creeping commercialisation.”
She said there would be inadequate parking space and a potential for noise. Approval would set a precedent for more conversions which could result in all the houses in London Road as far as Sandy Lane becoming shops.
Neighbours expressed concern about delivery vehicles, noise and general disturbance.
Officers argued that the site was within the designated retail sector of Stockton Heath village The property was only 100 metres from the village centre.
News in brief
Litter pick
MEMBERS of Statham Residents’ Association, Lymm, are organising a litter pick on July 10 at 11am. Volunteers are asked to meet at Statham Park, off Pool
Lane.
Grocery store
PLANS to change the use of a house in Longshaw Street, Warrington, to a grocery store are to be considered by borough council planning chiefs.
Taxi shelter
BIRCHWOOD Railway Station, Warrington, will have a pre-fabricated waiting shelter for taxi passengers, if planning chiefs give the go-ahead.
Village walk
THE annual walking day at Latchford, Warrington, will take place on Sunday, July 3, involving a procession through Thelwall Lane, Kingsway South, Lindley Avenue, Griffiths Street, Reynolds Street, Poachers Lane, Nook Lane, Marsden Avenue and Richmond Avenue.
