Council chief’s attack
on planning inspector
by David Skentelbery
A TOWN Hall chief at Warrington has made an outspoken attack on a planning inspector who overturned a decision by the borough council.
Director of Environment Services Alan Stephenson says the inspector’s decision to allow a housing development in Barrowhall Lane, Great Sankey was “perverse.
” He says the decision is open to legal challenge and is based on a flawed premise.
The council refused planning permission for the demolition of a bungalow in Barrowhall Lane and the construction of two houses on the site.
Material considerations in reaching the decision were the oversupply of housing in the Warrington area and impact on adjoining dwellings.
But the inspector allowed an appeal against the decision because policies relating to housing supply had not been formally adopted as part of the borough Unitary Development Plan (UDP).
He said the development would not impinge on the “reasonable expectations” of neighbours nor result in change to living conditions sufficient to justify objections.
Mr Stephenson, in a report to the development control committee, says: “This is a perverse decision, one of two made by the same inspector, which runs totally contrary to 10 other decisions in similar circumstances where housing restraint policy has justified dismissed appeals.
“It is considered that the decision is open to legal challenge and is based on a flawed premise, at best illustrating inconsistency in decisions issued by the Planning Inspectorate.”
He says the inspector has misinterpreted the objectives of policy and that the decision runs counter to a range of policies relating to regeneration of underused, previously developed sites and the concentration of development in locations where the dependence on car use can be minimised.
However, Mr Stephenson says the value of legal challenge is reduced because the UDP has now reached a more advanced stage and the circumstances assessed by the inspector no longer apply. Future decisions will be made in a different policy context.
It is essential, he says, that statements justifying decisions based on housing supply need to include unequivocal statements of the council’s position and the justification for that position.
Colleges join forces
to offer advice
by staff reporter
TWO Warrington colleges are joining forces to offer advice on the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to young people entering further education this September Over a three week period, representatives from Warrington Collegiate and Priestley College will be hosting the guidance event inside Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre.
The event, backed by the Learning and Skills Council, Cheshire and Warrington, will see school leavers receive help in competing their EMA application forms and general advice on the scheme.
The EMA programme, which aims to encourage young people to stay in education, allows eligible students to receive a means-tested cash allowance of up to ?30 a week and periodic bonus payments.
Liz Davis, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council, said: “EMA pilot schemes over the past few years have been extremely successful, with noticeable increases in the number of young people staying on in learning at college or in school sixth forms. More than 700 young people in Warrington have already successfully applied for the EMA since September last year. Many of these students would not have been able to develop further skills without that additional financial assistance.
“Our aim is to increase the numbers of young people staying on in learning at college or in school sixth forms. All young learners from households with a total income of less than ?30,000 are eligible to apply for EMAs.”
Marie Keeley, Welfare Team Leader at Warrington Collegiate said: “Many school leavers are unsure of whether or not they are entitled to the EMA. Through these events we hope to answer any unanswered questions they may have and help them to complete the EMA application forms they received in May.
“Now the summer’s exam fever is coming to an end, school leavers really need to start thinking about their future and providing impartial advice on EMAs will help to lighten the some of the worry they may have at this crucial time in their life.”
The EMA guidance event is taking place on three Fridays, July 8, 15 and 22 from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Pictured are students Rachael Appleton, of Cinnamon Brow and Suzi Dann, of Sankey Green, helping to promote the EMA advice booklets.
Walking Day blessed
by brilliant sunshine
by staff reporter
WALKING Day dawned brightly in Warrington – but as thousands of youngsters prepared for the town’s annual demonstration of Christian Witness, clouds began to gather.
A few spots of rain were felt before the Walk got under way and with a doubtful weather forecast the big question was: Will the walkers get a soaking?
But in the end, the sun broke through and the procession wended its way through the town centre streets in brilliant sunshine.
Town centre roads were sealed off to traffic and contigents of walkers from churches and chapels, schools and other organisations across the town gathered the Town Hall lawn for the start of the procession.
Town Hall chiefs were expecting about 4,000 to take part in the walk, with many more lining the streets as spectators.
Looking cool on a
hot summer’s day
by John Hendon
MAYOR of Warrington Hans Mundry is backing a campaign to encourage people to protect their eyes from the sun and raise money for charity.
The Mayor and the Mayoress, his wife, Karen, donned their sunglasses with children at Rixton and Glazebrook Pre-School to support the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s Shades Day campaign – part of a wider campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of looking after our eyes in the sun.
As part of the campaign, Coun Mundry is encouraging everyone to have fun in the sun and wear their sunglasses wherever they are – at work, school or even in the pub – and make a donation to the charity.
Coun Mundry said: “We are all aware that we need to protect our skin from the sun but less is known about its effects on our eyes so I am delighted to support this campaign and raise awareness about eye health. It’s also a great way to raise money for the Guide Dogs’ charity – and we will all look ‘cool’ in our shades.”
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is committed to investing in research into the causes and prevention of sight loss.
Association spokesman Tom Pey said: “Funding into eye disease is essential to understand the causes of blindness and how to prevent this.
“Shades Day is an ideal opportunity to think about eye care. Good sunglasses protect the eyes from damaging UV sunlight, which can contribute to macular degeneration and cataracts. Your shades don’t have to be the most expensive, experts recommend wraparound sunglasses marked ‘Type 2’ and with a ‘CE’ symbol. So there’s really no excuse for not donning your shades and raising money for Guide Dogs.”
Health centre to open
after ?330,000 refit
by John Hendon
A NEW health centre is to open at Birchwood, Warrington.
Planners have given the go-ahead for the conversion of offices in Spencer House, Dewhurst Road.
The health centre, which will be the base for 24 staff, will house most of the primary healthcare services formerly provided by Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Birchwood Medical Centre.
These include health visiting, midwifery, hearing checks, and some therapy services and he centre will also provide training facilities for PCT staff and office space for the PCT’s team involved in improving health standards across Warrington.
The new centre – located between Birchwood Railway Station and the rear access of Birchwood Shoppin
g Centre – was found in partnership with Birchwood Town Council.
It is hoped it will be opened in September this year following a ?330,000 refurbishment. Opening times will be 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Dr Angela Lynch, Warrington PCT’s director of service delivery, said: “It has taken the PCT some time to find suitable accommodation for these services, and we do apologise to patients for any inconvenience this has caused. We are delighted to be able to return primary healthcare services to the centre of Birchwood and we hope residents will find the new location convenient and accessible.”
Coun Chris Fitzsimmons, chairman of Birchwood Town Council, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to work in partnership with the PCT for the benefit of the people of Birchwood and that these essential services have been returned to the heart of our community.”
All patients affected will be notified of the changes.
Alleyways get
a facelift
by staff reporter
ALLEYWAYS in the Fairfield and Howley area of Warrington are being upgraded, and the project has been welcomed by ward councillor Yvonne Fovargue.
The current works will upgrade alleyways at Scott Street, Chorley Street, St Peters Way, Marsh Street and Marsh House Lane. It is part of a rolling programme of work to improve the alleyways to the rear of mainly terraced houses in the ward. Coun Fovargue said: “These works are very important as they often upgrade highways that have been untouched for many decades.
“These improvements are another step along the way to renewing all alleyways in the ward and will join the growing list of properties which have benefited from this investment,” she added.
Year of the
volunteer
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN Open Day to mark the Year of the Volunteer was held by Warrington charity Home-Start at the Gateway Centre, Sankey Street.
Guests The Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Couns Hans and Karen Mundry attended and met the scheme’s home visiting volunteers, management committee volunteers and staff.
Awards were presented to volunteers by the Mayor, and he received an award for his long service as a trustee on the management committee, from chair Alyson Smith.
Home Start, which is one of the Mayor’s chosen charities for the year, is currently recruiting volunteers for the next training course starting in September. Anyone interested should contact the team on 01925 652320.
