Residents in battle
to halt housing scheme
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY residents are fighting a plan to build houses on industrial land off Longshaw Street, Warrington
Members of the borough’s council?s development control committee will consider the proposals at a meeting on Wednesday (Sept 28).
But they have already deferred a decision once because they wanted more information of the traffic implications of the scheme.
Nearly 100 residents are opposing the scheme because they fear cul-de-sacs will be converted into a through road, that three and four storey houses will result in a loss of privacy and that there will be more noise, disturbance and congestion.
The outline application is for residential development on 4.3 acres of land at present occupied by Marsden Vanplan Ltd.
A report by planning officers states that the site, part of which is overgrown, is currently in use for the assembly of vans and is dominated by a large industrial building.
The site is no longer considered suitable for van assembly and the idea is to fund relocation of the company by selling the land.
Planning officers say because it is only an outline plan it is not possible to make judgements on many of the concerns expressed by residents. It is not known yet if it is intended to open up cul-de-sacs for access and there is no evidence to suggest the scheme would result in a significant loss of residential amenity.
But the scale of the development is likely to have implications for education provision, affordable housing, open space, play provision, off-site recreation facilities, etc., so conditions are recommended to ensure these matters are addressed.
It will also be necessary to investigate the site for contaminated land.
Karate trio pick
up silver medals
by John Hendon
THREE members of the Warrington-based North West Karate Academy have returned home from the Commonwealth Karate Games in Wellington, New Zealand with silver medals.
The trio Luke Scott aged 17, Carl Massey, 21, and Alex Hodge 16, represented the All England Karate Team, in the eight-nation Team Kata event.
Luke, Carl and Alex all started karate between the ages of five and eight years.
Coach Steve Scott, accompanied them at the championships and was delighted with their achievements.
He said: “I’m unbelievably proud of them. We put a lot of hard work into it – when we got there we were training four hours a day and we were buzzing.”
This year the team already holds many top national and Internationals titles including English Senior Champions and Junior British International Champions and Senior Silver Medallists. From these results they were selected to represent England in the Commonwealth and at the European Regional Team Championships.
Still left for the youngsters this year are two major National events, the English Regional Team championships where the team will represent the Northern Region, competing against the South and Midlands and also the British Championships.
Witness appeal after
cyclist is injured
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a serious road accident at Warrington which resulted in a pedal cyclist being taken to hospital.
The accident was in the A49 Winwick Road, outside the Matalan store, on Saturday.
A pedal cyclist was in collision with a black 4X4 vehicle and sustained serious leg injuries.
He was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact PC Andy Hunt on 01244 613813.
Developer loses fight
over new homes
by Terry Johnson
A DEVELOPER?S appeal to build nine detached homes at Stockton Heath, Warrington has been rejected….because of an ?oversupply? of housing land in the borough.
A government planning inspector ruled that the proposed development in Grappenhall Road, though small scale in itself, added to the trickle of new homes, breaching agreed development limits.
To grant permission to build the properties would undermine policies seeking to manage housing land and build-rates up to 2016, he said.
Further, there was a regional scenario: this sought to ensure that re-development and regeneration benefits were not limited to the ?most advantaged? areas.
A Warrington planning spokesman said: “The outcome of this appeal has been influenced by the time taken by the appeals procedure.
“The 18 months between the council’s decision and appeal inquiry has seen significant changes in housing restraint policy”.
The Unitary Development Plan had gained increased strength and new housing had added to the level of over-supply.
A vision for
education
by Terry Johnson
A VISION for education in the 21st-century will be explored at a schools’ governors’ conference in Warrington on October 8.
National speakers, including Peter Downes, Julian Piper and Prof Ted Wragg will address the conference of 135 governors from across Warrington borough.
Acting education chief at Warrington Borough Council Norma Cadwallader said: “The conference will provide governors with the unique opportunity to listen to nationally-recognised speakers, exchange ideas, share best practice and network with other governors.
“They will have the opportunity to consider the Change for Children Agenda, the move towards Children’s Trust arrangements by 2008 and, in particular, to ensure that in Warrington every child does matter”.
Further details from Susan Bridge, 01925-442955.
House “footprint”
too big – inspector
by staff reporter
THE ?footprint? of a house in Green Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington would grow by 60 per cent if a two-storey side and rear extension were allowed.
And that sort of expansion would be too giant a leap, a Government planning Inspector believes.
It is twice the limit set in guidance to local planners, he says.
The Inspector has dismissed an appeal for the home extension because of its impact on the housing area and also the openness of the green belt.
Charity’s ?95,000
funding boost
by Terry Johnson
A FAMILY-focused charity based in Warrington has been awarded ?95,000 to launch a National Parenting Service.
The cash coup means The Relationships Centre – formerly known as ARC, which operates from The Gateway, Sankey Street – gets funding grants for three years.
The Department for Education and Skills and Strengthening Families’ grant will enable families to access information, help and advice at the time they need it.
The cash supports a project, starting next month, aimed at parents affected by unhealthy relationships.
Director of Services, Pam Skelham, said: “Our work at the Relationships Centre focuses on informing, supporting and ultimately empowering clients to find alternative healthy solutions and reduce family tension.”
Eight new JPs
join the bench
by staff reporter
EIGHT new magistrates have been appointed to the Warrington Bench.
Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, has named: Farid Arada, Linda Joyce Bloomfield, Lisa Marie Brinksman, Paul Chadwick, Shirley Anne Kapur, Alan Maw, Andrea Sian Morris and Nirmaljit Sekhon.
People interested in taking on this community role should apply by November 30 at www.magistrates.gov.uk
Firms urged to carry
out fire checks
by business staff
WARRINGTON-based Dante Fire and Security Ltd. is urging local businesses to tighten checks on their fire safety systems…in National Fire Safety Week.
“Many businesses never recover from serious fires”, said spokesman Alan Roskell.
In 2003, he said, there were 3,401 fires at industrial premises in Britain – resulting in three deaths, more than 150 casualties and millions in damage.
“The cos
t of not having good strategies in place could be devastating – both financially and emotionally – if fire breaks out”, said Mr Roskell.
Dante has a ?1m contract to fit a new fire detection and public safety system in Manchester’s Arndale Centre and maintains alarms at the Jaguar plant, Halewood.
The company was set up in October,2001, and has recently opened offices in Sunderland and Reading.
