Residents hold up
phone mast plan
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY residents have won breathing space in a battle to stop a 60ft high mobile phones mast going up near their homes at Padgate, Warrington.
Applicants National Grid Wireless ? on behalf of mobile phone operators Hutchinson 3G UK ? are to be asked to examine the possibility of using an alternative, more acceptable site.
Warrington?s development control committee will then look at the proposals again.
The application involves a 60 ft high tower, with three antennae and two dishes, within a new fenced compound on a redundant gas holder site off Birchwood Way.
More than 100 residents have lodged objections, together with nearby St Oswald?s Primary School.
Residents have the support of Mayoress Coun Karen Mundry who has disputed claims that the nearest homes would be 90 metres from the mast.
She said: ?The mast would be nearer than that ? it is totally the wrong place for this mast and it is too close to the school.? Residents claim the application was deliberately made near Christmas to reduce the level of opposition.
Planning officers say the operators have demonstrated a need for network coverage in the area ? particularly for traffic on the M6. They said the mast would be screened by trees.
Coun Albert Clemow said the trees would not completely screen the mast and he could not see why a 60ft high mast was needed to serve a half-mile stretch of motorway. No people lived in the ?gap? in coverage.
Students’ nightclub
spectacular
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SHOW set in a 1930s nightclub was performed to packed houses over three nights by students at Priestley College, Warrington.
The show, set around “Sugardaddy’s Nightclub” was performed, written, directed and partly choreographed, by the 55 students from a range of Performing Arts courses.
It featured a soundtrack from many Fosse productions including songs from Chicago, A Chorus Line, Cabaret and Moulin Rouge.
The script featured the lives of performers at Sugardaddy’s both back stage and then whilst performing.
Sarah Mawson, head of performing arts, said: “The show proved to be a fitting climax to a long and testing period for the group who really did put everything they had into their performances.
“All the students are assessed on their performance and contribution to the creative and rehearsal process and from the results I think it’s safe to say that it was top marks all round,” she added.
Old footpath poser
for parish council
by John Hendon
COUNCILLORS at Appleton, near Warrington, are searching for information about the origins of an old footpath which a number of local residents are apparently trying to close.
The path runs behind houses in Greenfields Avenue, alongside the Bridgewater Canal and a number of householders have erected fences or cut down trees or bushes in an attempt to make it impassable, according to the Parish Council.
At issue, is whether or not the path is a public right of way.
The parish has raised the matter with the borough council who say the path is not recorded on the definitive map as a right of way. However, the borough has recently received an application under the Wildlife and Countyside Act for the path to be added to the map.
It must have been used by the public for 20 years, without interruption, for it to be presumed to be a right of way.
Appleton-born Michael Gartland, 61, recalls using the path as a boy around 1945 and believes it had been in regular use for many years before that.
He said: “It was used by residents of Greenfields Avenue and Waterside, many of who had gates in their back gardens to gain access. There were – and still are – steps leading down to the path at London Bridge.
“There used to be a factory near London Bridge called Vlasto. They employed several hundred people and many of them used the footpath to get to work.
“The path never went on passed London Bridge in the direction of Walton, but in the other direction it went on to Lumb Brook Road, where there was a slope to provide access. I don’t know if this was an official access, but it was easy enough for even elderly people to use.
“I am sure the path is still used by many local people.”
Optician hits out
after vandals strike
by staff reporter
AN angry optician has hit out after a gang of youths caused a ?5,000 blaze at his shop at Culcheth, near Warrington.
The fire was at the rear of Crompton?s opticians in Common Lane.
Youths pushed a wheelie bin up against the property and set it alight. Flames spread to the building and caused extensive damage.
Mr Tim Crompton said: ?We have had problems with children and youths at the rear of the shop for many years ? as have most of the other shopkeepers in the village.
?But this was the worst incident yet and I am prepared to offer a reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
?The police seem unable to do anything to stop these incidents taking place.?
Fortunately the opticians was able to open as usual after the blaze.
Skate shop and cafe
get the go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead for a skate shop and cafeteria at the ?500,000 skatepark in Warrington?s Victoria Park.
The scheme was rubber-stamped by members of the borough?s development control committee despite objections from a nearby residents who claimed the facility was already causing a disturbance.
There were also concerns from the Environment Agency because the site could be at risk of 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 it was built without a refreshment facility or skateshop and the borough council says these are now a key priority, along with 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.
Planners say the skatepark is sufficiently far from the nearest houses to avoid problems.
[ 05.01.2006, 13:21: Message edited by: DS ]
