House builders offer
extra ?1m “incentive”
by David Skentelbery
DEVELOPERS who want to build 569 new homes on a former factory site at Warrington have added an extra ?1.2 million to a package of benefits they are prepared to throw in – bringing its total value to ?6.5 million.
The money would pay for highways improvements, education, sport and recreation and 55 “affordable homes” – as well as employment opportunities for up to 200 people.
Countryside Properties’ proposals for the former Rylands wire works site, off Battersby Lane, Warrington come before the borough’s development control committee next Wednesday (February 1) – with an officers’ recommendation for approval.
Two weeks ago the committee deferred consideration of the scheme because members were not happy with the then ?5.1 million being offered as an incentive. Officers were then recommending refusal.
Now they are saying that the package of benefits is such that there would be an advantage to the local community if planning permission were granted.
The main difference between the new proposals and those of a fortnight ago are that the benefits now include social housing for rent and two bedroom apartments at discounted prices and also ?700,000 towards the cost of road improvements.
Previously, the road improvements would have been provided only at the expense of a reduction in the number of affordable homes.
Other benefits in the package include primary school provision valued at ?287,000, local health facilities worth ?110,000, sports and recreation provision worth ?721,000 and a play area in nearby St Peters Park worth ?46,000.
The affordable housing element equates to a value of ?4,562,700.
A number of nearby residents are still opposing the scheme.
They say properties of four, five and six storeys will overshadow their homes, change the skyline and rob them of privacy. They also say local roads will not be able to cope with the increased traffic.
The site has already been cleared of the old wire works buildings.
School “solid as
a rock” says Euro MP
by David Skentelbery
EURO MP Den Dover – a former pupil at Stockton Heath Primary School – has been back to the school to examine the structure in the light of the proposals to demolish it and build a new school on the site.
His verdict: “It’s as solid as a rock – a first class example of school architecture of its period and with more years left in it than anything that replaces it will have.”
Mr Dover said he would be raising the issue with Education Secretary Ruth Kelly and believed the 5,500-name petition raised opposing demolition should also be sent to her.
He said it was regrettable that Warrington Borough Council appeared to be ignoring the petition was preparing to press ahead with demolition with far too much haste.
It was, he said, a classic case of a situation where refurbishment of existing building was preferable to demolition and rebuild.
Meanwhile, Stockton Heath Parish Council has voted to take no further action on plans to demolish the school – despite being urged to do so by angry residents. Clerk Peter Briggs told members that a previous vote had been in favour of demolition and that decision must stand. Members voted by six votes to four, to take no further action.
They advised residents, who have a 5,500-name petition in favour of refurbishing the current building, to take their campaign directly to the borough council. Coun Tudor Pole told them: “You have a good case, but you will have more impact going directly to them.”
Chairman Coun Maurice Leslie said there were limited grounds on which the borough council’s executive board decision could be reversed. The main one was for a judicial review on the decision.
Coun Lynn Pester told members that demolition of the building would take place in a controlled way, so that any archaeological finds could be protected. Museum staff would be involved and any finds would be displayed at public venues, and the school would carry out related projects.
It was expected that Roman remains could be found, because of the proximity to the finds at Wilderspool.
The power
of Pilates
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON now has it?s own designated pilates Studio.
Pilatesnorthwest has been offering pilates sessions all over Warrington for the past five years.
It was the enthusiasm of class member Greg Miller which has seen the classes come together into the pilates Studio.
Greg was referred to Pilatesnorthwest to help with a serious back issue. He has attended three times a week since February 2005 and in doing so has significantly improved his health and is managing back pain.
It was when Greg had to attend three different venues earlier last year that he determined to find premises for Pilatenorthwest.
His motivation came from knowing the difference pilates exercise had made to his life and realising he would be practising for the rest of his life. And so pilates studio was born.
The studio offers pilates matwork, Swiss ball and small equipment. The studio also has eight pilates reformers. The reformers are a significant advancement for those wanting to progress their skill level using the pilots technique.
A full timetable of pilates classes is offered for all levels of ability. One to one group sessions are available. The studio is staffed by fully trained health and fitness professional who specialise in delivering pilates exercise to strengthen the spins and improve posture.
For more info Call 07786 994070 or 01925 487589 or visit www.pilatesnorthwest.co.uk
Don’t lose your
‘best friend’
by John Hendon
DOG owners in Warrington are being given the chance to find out more about having their dogs microchipped and a low cost local neutering scheme.
The Council’s Environmental Health Dog Warden Service in partnership with Warrington Animal Welfare, the RSPCA and Dogs Trust will be running a dog microchipping event on February 7 and 8.
A wide variety of information about microchipping, the benefits and costs and details of a low cost neutering scheme will be available.
Coun Pat Wright, Executive Board Member for Community Services, said: “The Environmental Health Dog Warden service picks up between 450 and 500 stray dogs each year and for many it is impossible to trace their owners. Microchipping is a permanent, painless way of getting your dog back if he or she strays. The Council aims is to help reduce the number of dogs becoming abandoned and unwanted across the borough and is actively promoting the neutering of dogs within the community.”
If a dog is microchipped and goes missing, the owner’s details can be traced and they can be contacted. Although it is not advised to let dogs stray as there is a cost to collect them from the Council’s kennels.
The event will take place at TESCO Extra Car Park, Winwick Road, Warrington on: Tuesday February 7 – 10am to 3pm and Wednesday February 8 – 10am to 3pm.
For further information contact Linda Crellin, Environmental Health on 01925 442585 or email [email protected]
Lucky winner
by Gary Skentelbery
CONGRATULATIONS to Thomas Gibbons, aged 11 from Great Sankey, who was the lucky winner of a Rugby League annual signed by Warrington Wolves Coach Paul Cullen and author Harry Edgar.
The competition was run on the Warrington-Worldwide website and in the monthly magazine.
Tom, who plays for Crosfield Cobras and supports the Wolves is pictured with his prize.
“Jungle paradise” at
new shopping centre
by staff reporter
A ?JUNGLE paradise? opens at Warrington today ? at the Bridge Shopping Centre, in Knutsford Road, Latchford.
The Junglee Fun softplay caf? features a play area for children aged up to nine and a caf? offering a variety of fres
hly prepared foods.
Junglee Fun?s monkey mascot, Minx and Warrington Wolves? mascot Wolfie will be there modelling for face painting, helping to blow up balloons, and showing local children just how much there is to do there.
The three tier jungle-themed soft play structure includes a two lane slide, cargo nets, balance beams, vertical rollers, stepping stones, bish bash vines and a football wall.
70’s fund-raiser
A 70’s disco charity fund-raiser helped raise more than ?1,500 for leukaemia research.
The event, organised by Joanne Brown from Lymm at Thelwall British Legion, was the fifth consecutive year she has organised the event.
“I would like to thank all the businesses in Lymm who donated prizes and it looks like becoming an annual event now as people keep asking me to do another one!”
