Residents mobilise
to fight tower blocks
by David Skentelbery
FURIOUS residents are mobilising massive opposition to plans for high rise flats on the banks of the Mersey at Howley, Warrington.
Members of Howley Residents Association ? backed by local councillors and Warrington North MP Helen Jones ? have written a strongly worded letter to planners calling for the scheme to be thrown out.
They say new developments in Howley threaten to squander the great potential of the Mersey riverside area, with plans that fail to provide adly-needed affordable housing and green space and place additional burdens on an already overworked infrastructure.
Margaret Dolan, secretary of the association said: ?Howley is going through a period of extraordinary growth and we feel the council has not adequately prepared for this influx of new apartments near the centre of town.
?While Warrington has a surplus of new dwellings it suffers from a shortage of affordable housing for low income households. Yet developers, with tall blocks of expensive flats, continue to target commuters who work in Manchester and Liverpool.
“A successful towerblock including social housing is an architectural holy grail that has evaded leading architects in major cities the world over. They scar areas like ours because they are unsuitable for families and nobody is willing to pay the high long-term maintenance costs that arise.
?With this plan we will see irrevocable damage to our community. Local residents have common sense – they don’t want highrise!” The plan, involving nearly 100 flats and submitted by developers Watkin Jones, has arrived during the build up to a major public inquiry in September to another tower block scheme, on adjacent land and turned down by the borough council.
Coun Paul Kenny said: “Howley is at ‘breaking point’ – the area has seen an explosion of development over the last decade with little investment in infrastructure. Major developments at Sixpenny Fields, Trinity Green and Cheshire Lines are already adding additional traffic onto an inadequate local road network.
“As a result air quality in the area will suffer adding to public health concerns.”
Coun Yvonne Fovargue added: “Developers continue to ignore the local community. There is a genuine lack of affordable homes in the area and this development does nothing to address this issue. The impact on the Conservation Area surrounding St Elphin?s Church will be real and felt by thousands of local residents.
“The development control committee threw out a multi-storey scheme only last year. In my view the same arguments which led to the failure of that application apply here also.?
Another local councillor, Ann Haddow, is also opposing the scheme.
Gold awards for volunteers
SEVEN volunteers who have worked for 10 years for the Stroke Association’s Dysphasia Support group at Warrington have received gold medals and certificates to mark the achievement.
They were presented with the medals by the Deputy Mayor, Coun Celia Jordan, at Alford Sports and Social Club, Manchester Road, Warrington.
The seven are Hazel Linley, Margaret Kaye, Joan Lewis, Karen Sheath, Elaine Latham, Bill Smith and Noreen Latimer.
Carol Smith, Dysphasia Support organiser in Warrington said: “It is a remarkable achievement for these seven people to stay in a voluntary post for 10 years.
“Dysphasia Support help people with communication difficulties after suffering a stroke – and that’s about 20 per cent of people who survive a stroke.
“It helps people who have had a stroke to attain the maximum level of recovery and independence skills in language. But it also improves the quality of their lives by re-building self-confidence, improving morale and supporting their families.”
Warrington currently has 25 volunteers – including the seven award winners.
Residents’ fury over
traffic “inaccuracies”
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY residents of Beechways, Appleton, have accused borough council transportation chiefs of ?inaccuracies and untruths? in the ongoing row over problems caused by traffic visiting Bridgewater High School.
They are furious that a letter sent by transportation chief Phil Johnson refers to a ?small group? of residents calling for a ban on traffic using Beechways to reach the school.
In fact, they claim, 39 out of 40 residents were in favour of the ban ? not just a ?small group.?
Residents claim the borough originally agreed to make an order to exclude traffic from Beechwood, unless for visiting residential properties, but cancelled the plan when a new traffic manager was appointed.
They are angry because the council has ignored traffic counts carried out by residents, dismissing them as irrelevant because they were not carried out by council officers and because traffic counters installed in the road were put in the wrong place and at the wrong times.
The residents claim problems will get worse if Bridgewater High takes on more pupils as a result of other schools in the borough closing.
Mr Johnson, in a letter to the parish council, says the level of school traffic in Beechways, is ?relatively low? compared to other roads in the borough.
Pedestrian flows are, however, significant higher it is this which generates issues such as pupils walking on garden lawns.
Warning over rogue
damp proofing firm
by John Hendon
TRADING Standards watchdogs at Warrington have issued a warning about a rogue damp proofing company targeting the town.
The company, calling themselves Home Improvement Advisory Service, is the same firm as Britannia Homes Improvements, which were the subject of a similar warning in January.
A Trading Standards spokesman said: ?Residents should watch out for a telephone call in which you are offered a free damp proof survey.
?Our advice is do not agree to a survey being carried out and ring Trading Standards on 01925 442678 immediately.
?If you have already agreed an appointment or even had work done by them it is very important that you contact Trading Standards.?
Residents should also look out for vulnerable relatives, neighbours or friends who may have been approached by the firm.
Park ponds are
“nearly dead”
by staff reporter
ONCE-attractive ponds in Appleton?s Dudlows Green Park are ?nearly dead?, according to a local ecologist.
Dr David Bell, formerly chief ecologist with Warrington Borough Council, who lives locally, inspected the ponds at the request of Appleton Parish Council.
His verdict is that the ponds are ?nearly dead? because of a lack of sunlight.
He recommends the removal of self-seeded alter and sycamore trees near the ponds, as well as other secondary growth.
In addition, he suggests the ponds be de-silted.
The parish council is to ask the borough council to carry out work to improve the condition of the ponds.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 3, 14 and 16. No-one won the jackpot which will be “rolled over” to next week and will be ?250. The ?25 consolation prize was won by “Paul”.
New ramp
A NEW access ramp for the disabled is to be provided at the Silver Band headquarters in Loushers Lane, Warrington, following the granting of planning consent.
Homes refused
PLANNING chiefs have thrown out proposals to demolish a house in Common Lane, Culcheth and replace it with two pairs of semi-detached houses and four detached garages.
Upgrade
BUS stops in Bridge Lane, Appleton, and outside St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Appleton are to be upgraded, with installation of raised kerbs to provide easier access to buses.
