Expansion plan at
showpiece skatepark
by David Skentelbery
A PLAN has been drawn up to provide a skate shop and cafeteria at Warrington?s showpiece ?500,000 international-standard skatepark.
The scheme will be put to the borough council?s development control committee on Wednesday ? with a recommendation for approval from officers.
But a nearby resident has lodged strong objections and the Environment Agency has has warned that the site could be at risk from flooding.
The plan involves converting an existing pavilion near to the skatepark in Victoria Park.
Opened towards the end of 2003, the skatepark was hailed as a major regional centre capable of staging international competitions. But the borough council says a key priority now is the provision of a cafeteria, facilities for the sale and hire of equipment and public toilet facilities.
The existing underused pavilion and kiosk have been identified as suitable for conversion.
Environment Agency experts say at the site is at risk of tidal flooding from the Mersey. They recommend ?flood proofing? measures such as water-resistant materials on the floors and walls and setting power and telephone sockets at suitable levels.
A householder living opposite Victoria Park says he is ?totally opposed? to the proposal because of noise and vandalism.
He complaints of beer bottles being thrown around and poster boards pulled off the railings.
?Living opposite this park is a nightmare so to introduce more amenities for the vandals is beyond my comprehension. No doubt my opinions will fall on deaf ears as the residents seem to be ignored.?
A planning department spokesman said the majority of neighbours? concerns were not subject to planning control and therefore not material planning considerations.
The facility would be sufficiently far from the nearest houses not to cause any problems.
Maths students fly high
HIGH-flying maths students from Warrington’s Priestley College have taken silver and bronze awards in a national competition.
Thirty-one students took up the UK Mathematics Trusts’ maths challenge.
Silver awards were gained by James Leech, Peter Ogden, Gragham Heath and Kellie Courtney.
Bronze awards went to Daniel Cheung, Mike Broadhurst and Martin Court.
Priestley’s maths spokesman, Dave Kay, said: “I congratulate the students on their fine achievements. To have such a large number excel in the competition is fantastic”.
Town’s Energy House is
mentioned in the House
by Terry Johnson
IT seems just like any other ordinary town house – but Warrington’s “Energy House” on Manchester Road is about to be flagged-up in Parliament!
The Borough Council-owned building is testament to a green revolution.
It bristles with ideas for tackling fuel poverty, reducing damaging carbon emissions and educating young people about the need to conserve energy.
Now Warrington North MP, Helen Jones, has tabled a Commons Early Day Motion, congratulating town hall for its striking initiative.
Other parts of the country could well learn from Warrington’s pathfinder approach, says Ms Jones.
“The advice given to local people and the educational benefits gained by young people who visit is exceptional”, said the Labour MP.
She added: “It is an example we should be proud of and one which the rest of the country should learn from. Warrington is again leading the way”.
Las Vegas “opera”
coming to town
by Terry Johnson
OPERA-cum-musical ‘Bandanna’, first performed to great acclaim in Las Vegas, comes to Warrington’s Parr Hall next April.
First performed in 2000, the production results from the partnership between award-winning Irish poet, Paul Muldoon, and leading American composer, Daron Hagen.
It is sung in English by soloists from RNCM’s opera department, with Manchester Chamber Choir and Warrington’s own North Cheshire Concert Band.
Tickets are ?8/?7; concessions ?3, from 01925-442345.
Neighbours oppose plan
for telecoms mast
by David Skentelbery
NEIGHBOURS are opposing plans for a 60ft high telecommunications mast at Padgate, Warrington.
National Grid Wireless are seeking planning consent for the mast, with three antennae and two dishes, on the site of a redundant gas holder off Birchwood Way, Padgate.
The area is one not receiving sufficient mobile phone coverage and Hutchinson 3G UK want to use the mast to fill a ?gap? in their coverage.
More than 100 people have signed a protest petition claiming the mast would be too close to dwellings, would have a damaging impact on wildlife and would be prone to vandalism.
But planners say the site is well screened by trees.
A spokesman said: ?The operator has demonstrated a new for network coverage in the local area and the installation is the most appropriate option to provide it.
?It also introduces the opportunity for other operators to share the site.
?The proposed mast is not considered to present any visual detriment to nearby properties or the street scene.?
Warrington?s development control committee will consider the proposals on Wednesday.
Arsonists torch
traffic lights
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are investigating an incident in which temporary traffic lights were set alight.
The mobile lights in Wharf Street, Warrington were put out of action by offenders who placed a quantity of cardboard boxes around them and set them alight.
One possibility being investigated is that local youths started the blaze – but another is that it could have been a disgruntled motorist who resented having to wait for the lights to change.
The area is covered by CCTV cameras and tapes are being examined as part of the investigation.
Fire crews were called to the scene and extinguished the blaze.
News in brief
Dental clinic
PLANS to change the ground floor of a house in Bewsey Street, Warrington into a dental clinic, with the first and second floors being converted to apartments, have been approved by the borough’s development control committee.
Speed limit
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order introducing speed limits of 30mph and 50mph in sections of Pennington Lane and Penkford Lane, Burtonwood. Anyone wishing to object can do so by applying to the High Court with six weeks of December 9.
Pot hole
APPLETON Parish Council has complained to Warrington Borough Council – the highways authority – about a pot hole on Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath at its junction with Lumb Brook Road.
Apartments
PLANS to sub-divide No 105 Lovely Lane, Warrington, into two two apartments have been given the go-ahead by borough planners.
