Riding centre plan
alarms residents
by David Skentelbery
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to use a 25-acre site as a horse-riding centre at Stretton, near Warrington, is to come before Town Hall planning chiefs.
The scheme is opposed by Stretton Parish Council and nearby residents who fear plans for stabling six horses on land off Spark Hall Close could be the first phase of a major development.
Members of Warrington?s development control committee have already looked at the scheme once but decided to visit the site before reaching a decision.
They will again consider the scheme on Wednesday (Sept 28).
The site is currently used for grazing – but applicant Peter Clarkson wants to build a stable building with six horse cubicles and storage area and provide hardstanding and an exercise arena for the horses.
Horses would be exercised on the remaining land, in rotation with continuing agricultural use.
Neighbours warn of increased traffic, parking problems, noise and smells and believe the equestrian centre would conflict with the nearby Park Royal Hotel.
They are also concerned about the staging of horse shows, gymkhanas, etc, and the possible breeding and sale of horses.
The stables would in fact be a large, obtrusive industrial building within the Green Belt, they say.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved and point out that separate planning consent would be needed for any increased use of the site not covered by the present application.
An earlier proposal for the same site was turned down because of the size of the stable building. But planners say the building plan has since been substantially reduced in size.
Singer-guitarist will
play folk, blues, jazz
by Terry Johnson
SLIDE-guitarist and singer, Tom Doughty, presents an evocative evening of blues, folk and jazz at Warrington’s Pyramid arts centre on October 8.
His unique approach to guitar and his vocal interpretations of traditional and original tunes have been acclaimed by leading slide-guitarists.
Tom, born in Frodsham, released his first album, ?The Bell?, in 2002 and has featured on BBC Radio 2, playing tracks from the album.
In his teens he performed with North-West folk bands – though in 1974 he suffered a major setback when a motor-cycle crash left him with a permanent spinal injury.
Tom’s music had to be put on hold for 10 years. Then one day he took his guitar off the wall, dusted it down…and learned to play in his unique style.
He plays free, expressive and addictive acoustic lap music and has a love for resonator instruments made in the 1920’s and 30’s.
Booking details: 01925-442345.
Storm over phone
mast application
by David Skentelbery
MOBILE ?phones giant Vodafone is seeking planning consent for a 60ft telecommunications mast at a roadside site at Warrington where two previous applications have been refused.
The proposal for Blackbrook Avenue, Cinnamon Brow has caused a storm of protest.
More than 90 nearby residents have lodged objections, as has Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council and three members of Warrington Borough Council ? councillors Mick Curran, Brian Maher and CJ Oliver.
Main concerns are the visual impact on the street scene, closeness of the mast to homes, impact on health and the potential to distract motorists.
The proposed mast would be similar in profile and appearance to several nearby lamp posts.
Vodafone say it is necessary to provide Third Generation mobile coverage in the area.
The plan is to be considered by Warrington?s development control committee on Wednesday (Sept 28).
Planning officers are recommending it be approved.
Village hall’s 40th
birthday celebration
by staff reporter
THE village hall at Croft, near Warrington celebrates is 40th anniversary next month ? and villagers are planning a special dinner to mark the event.
Saturday, October 22 is the night of the Croft Bowling Association?s President?s Dinner and as this year is also the 10th anniversary of the association, the event will celebrate both ?birthdays.?
A ?village hall? has stood on the site of the present hall since 1922 when the old Croft Institute was built as a memorial to villagers who lost their lives in World War 1. The present building was opened in 1955.
Philip Birchall ? chairman of both the village hall committee and the bowling association ? said: ?The old Institute was a timber building but it served its purpose until the new one was built.
?We are hoping local people will support the dinner. In particular, we are looking for people who may have been an official of the village hall over the last 40 years.?
Entertainment will be provided by Greenall?s Brass Band.
Anyone interested in attending the dinner should contact Mr Birchall on 01925 763074 or Mrs Audrey Stokes on 01925 764405.
Clampdown planned
on speeding traffic
by John Hendon
FEARS of speeding traffic on a country road at Appleton, near Warrington have sparked action to introduce speed limits.
Highways chiefs at Warrington Borough Council propose to make an order extending the existing 40 mph limit on Lumb Brook Road.
A similar restriction will be placed on the entire length of Doods Lane, Appleton and there will also be new 30 mph limits in Cann Lane North, Dingle Lane and Witney Gardens and part of Lyons Lane, from its junction with Longwood Road to its junction with Dingle Lane.
A Town Hall spokesman said: ?Historically, local residents and Appleton Parish Council have expressed concern over speeding traffic on Lumb Brook Road. As a result, an order was introduced limited the speed of traffic on Lumb Brook Road to 40mph.
?Complaints have since been received from local residents with regard to speeding traffic throughout the area, particularly on Cann Lane North, Lyons Lane, Dingle Lane and Doods Lane.
?It is proposed to introduce additional traffic regulation orders to extend the existing 40mph limit to include Doods Lane and to introduce a 30mph on Dingle Lane, Lyons Lane, Witney Gardens and Cann Lane North.?
Anyone wishing to object to the orders must write to council solicitor Howard Norris, at New Town House, by October 6.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 4, 6 and 14. The ?502 jackpot went unclaimed and will be “rolled over” to next week. The ?25 consolation prize went to “Karen and Lynne”.
Signs refused
PLANS for two externally illuminated signs at the Grade Two listed Lion Hotel, in Bridge Street, Warrington, have been thrown out by borough planners.
Floodlighting
LYMM Lawn Tennis Club, in Brookfield Road, Lymm, Warrington have been granted planning consent for replacement floodlighting on four tennis courts.
Traffic order
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order introducing a one-way system in Cumberland Street and Oldham Street, Latchford. Anyone who wishes to object must apply to the High Court within six weeks of September 16.
