“Auschwitz” housing
gets the go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
A CONTROVERSIAL housing scheme ? condemned by a councillor as ?looking like Auschwitz? ? has been given the go-ahead by a planning inspector.
Warrington Borough Council had refused consent for the 220-house development at the junction of Oughtrington Lane and Longbutt Lane, Lymm.
Hundreds of local residents had opposed the scheme ? in fact some had been fighting plans for housing on the site for 30 years.
But the inspector who heard a latest in a series of public inquiries into the proposals has ruled that the development by Wilson Connolly Homes will be attractive, with its own identity and sense of place and compatible with the immediate locality and of Lymm as a whole.
Coun Mrs Sheila Woodyatt ? who had earlier this year described the scheme as ?looking like Auschwitz? ? said she was bitterly disappointed.
She said: ?We will now probably get the worst of all worlds. The developer has submitted new proposals which have yet to be considered but which would probably have been accepted. They were a big improvement.
?We can hope he will now proceed with the new scheme, but he can go-ahead with the old one if he likes and that it probably what he will do.
?It will have three-storey blocks totally out of character with Lymm. It will turn a semi-rural area into an urban area.
?There are some good points about it. There will be some affordable homes which local people will be able to buy. There will be new people moving into the area, who will be welcomed. But I would like to see the developer press ahead with his most recent scheme which would have been acceptable to everyone.?
Coun Ian Marks added: “I am bitterly disappointed that the inspector has taken so little notice of the concerns of local residents and councillors. He has given the green light to the designs in the early schemes which contain the worst aspects.
?He admits it will become a dominant feature of the locality making the area much more urban in character. I fundamentally disagree with his view that the design of this development is acceptable. It is a massive kick in the teeth for local residents who worked so hard to persuade the developer to improve the design.
?What makes a mockery of the whole planning process is that we were not even allowed to bring to the appeal the issue of highway safety. This is a huge worry for local people because of the close proximity of the site to Lymm High School with its 2,000 pupils.”
The inspector said he had attached little weight to the arguments of the Lymm Village Design Group, who had opposed the scheme and said it was inevitable the appearance of the site would change dramatically.
He said the central feature, with a tower ? the part dubbed ?Auschwitz? ? would be in keeping with the Victorian and Edwardian theme of the development and, seen at a distance, would add interest to the skyline.
Pet rabbit
dumped in skip!
by Gary Skentelbery
A PET rabbit has been found dumped in a Warrington skip.
Now the RSPCA are attempting to find the heartless person responsible for the cruelty so they can be prosecuted.
RSPCA Inspector Nadina Pengilly said: “We received a call from a male person saying there was a rabbit in a skip. I had to root through six skips before I found the animal.”
The young male rabbit was found in a skip in Taurus Court close to Benson Beds and IKEA.
“I am not sure how this person could have known there was a rabbit in the skip. But whoever put it there could be prosecuted under the Abandonment Animals Act of 1960.
“If anyone can provide us with any information so we can consider prosecution it would be gratefully received,” added Nadina.
Meanwhile the RSPCA have an influx of young rabbits alll in need of rehoming, including 10 baby rabbits.
Anyone interested in providing a home for a rabbit call 01925 632944.
Turning back the clock
at Victorian Day
by Gary Skentelbery
VILLAGERS turned back the clock to Victorian Days at Culcheth near warrington as part of an annual fund-raising event.
Organised by Culheth Lions and supported by Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council, villagers and traders entered into the spirit of the occasion dressing in period costume.
Various events took place around the village, culminating in the Christmas lights being switched on.
It has now become an annual event aimed at boosting Christmas trade in the village and helping the Lions raise funds for worth causes.
Pictured entering into the spirit of the occasion with all the fun of the fair are Lions Connie Bridge, John Graves and Ged Southern.
MP makes an early
Christmas purchase
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones visited the Culcheth Art Group annual exhibition ? and made an early Christmas purchase from the 126 paintings on show.
The picture was a present for a relative and the MP admitted she had been spoiled for choice.
She said: “As ever the standard was very high. The art group produces excellent work under the stewardship of tutor Jean Hockenhall and I spotted a marvellous painting which will make an ideal Christmas present for one of my relatives.
“Going to the exhibition has become a highlight of this time of year for me.”
Householders new “duty
of care” over fly tipping
by staff reporter
HOUSEHOLDERS in Warrington now have a responsibility to help reduce the amount of household waste being fly tipped each year.
Recent amendments to waste regulations, which extend the ‘Duty of Care’ regime to cover household waste, are now in-force and all householders in England have a responsibility to ensure their rubbish is passed on only to an authorised waste carrier.
The change in the law is designed to help reduce the amount of household-waste being fly-tipped each year. The council, along with other local authorities, is now able to fine householders who do not take care to ensure that their waste is passed on to an authorised person. Householders not taking reasonable measures to do so face fines of up to ?5,000.
Householders could be affected if they leave refuse on the street instead of putting it in a wheelie bin or if hired builders, gardeners or scrap metal merchants take materials away from their house – if these materials get fly-tipped, householders could be liable.
Warrington residents can take all household waste Household Waste Recycling Centres, free of charge. The Council offers a collection service, for a small fee, for residents without transport. For more details contact Customer Care on 01925 443000.
Residents using waste carriers other than the Council to remove household, garden or construction waste are advised by the Environment Agency to make the following checks:
Consider whether the contractor falls into one of the following categories: all building and allied trades; landscape gardeners, tree fellers and surgeons; house clearers; retail establishments; and scrap metal dealers. These are occupations that will normally need a waste carrier registration.
Ask the contractor whether they are a registered waste carrier and ask for their waste carrier number and certificate.
If they claim to be registered, telephone the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 and request an instant Waste Carrier Validation Check or check online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister . They will confirm whether the contractor is a registered waste carrier.
If they are not registered, refuse the service, and advise them that they need to speak with the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.
Coun Jeff Richards, executive member for Sustainable Environment, said: “This legislation should encourage residents to think carefully about who they give their waste to, and not to simply choose the cheapest option. I
f local residents act diligently and take responsibility for their own waste we will reduce fly tipping in Warrington saving local council taxpayers thousands of pounds.”
Residents can report illegal fly tipping to the Council on 01925 443000.
