Six arrested after
father dies
tackling vandals
by David Skentebery
SIX youths are being held by police at Warrington today following the death of a man who went out to confront a gang of vandals near his home.
Garry Newlove, aged 47, of Station Road North, Padgate was apparently knocked to the ground and kicked by the youths near his home.
Police say the six youths being held are aged 15-19 and a murder investigation has been launched. An incident room has been set up at Warrington Police Station.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Cleworth, the officer leading the investigation, appealed to young people from the Padgate area to come forward if they had any information which might assist police.
The number to ring is 0845 458 0000.
Originally, nine youths were arrested but three have been released on bail.
The attack took place late on Friday evening after Mr Newlove, father of three daughters, apparently went out of his house to remonstrate with a gang of youths. It is understood they had smashed the window of a digger being used to widen the man?s driveway.
Police say no weapons were used in the attack. But neighbours say they saw the victim being kicked as he lay on the ground.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital but later died.
It is understood Mr Newlove had been concerned about vandalism in the area for some time and had tried to set up a neighbourhood watch scheme in response to the problem of drunken yobs using the road as a short cut to a nearby playing field where they frequently gather to drink.
One neighbour has already had CCTV fitted at his home ? and there have been calls for security cameras to be installed throughout the area.
Police are understood to be examining footage from the resident?s own system.
One neighbour said he arrived at the scene to see the victim lying on the ground with his wife in tears at his side. Someone was trying to console her.
Another resident said cars in the area were frequently vandalised.
Police were on the scene within minutes of 999 being dialled and the arrests followed soon after.
Coun Colin Oliver, who represents the area on the borough council, said: ?All the ward councillors wish to send their condolences to the family of the deceased.
?I believe the police were on the scene very quickly. I knew the deceased because he had been trying to start a neighbourhood watch scheme. We are all devastated at what has happened.
A police spokesman said the youths arrested were aged between 15 and 19 and were still being questioned.
Storm over flats plan
for historic building
by John Hendon
A PLANNING row has flared at Warrington over new proposals to convert a historic building once used as council offices into five luxury apartments.
Lymm Parish Council, local borough councillor Sheila Woodyatt and nearby residents have lodged strong objections to the conversion of the former Lymm Urban Council offices at the junction of Whitbarrow Road and Brookfield Road, Lymm.
The application is similar to one refused a year ago ? and the main reason for it being submitted again is that 12 months of marketing the property as offices has been unsuccessful.
Dating from the late 19th century, the building has a prominent tower feature. It is listed as a building of local interest and is within Lymm Village Conservation Area.
It has been largely empty for some time although it has an access via an archway to the modern Brookfield Surgery at the rear.
Last year?s application was turned down on the grounds the change of use would involve the loss of an employment site. But it is now claimed that a further 12 months of marketing the property has produced no takers ? and that the building is deteriorating rapidly.
Planning officers say conversion would go against council policy based on the current oversupply of housing land in Warrington. But they point out that exceptions can be made where an important building which might otherwise be lost could be saved.
A planning spokesman said: ?In this case, the building is important both in itself and in terms of its position within the Conservation Area – indeed it has been referred up to English Heritage by the former Conservation Officer for consideration for statutory Listing.? In addition, the building is in desperate need of repair, with major water ingress through the roof and walls.
Seventy per cent of the floor space has been empty for more than a year ? and conversion to apartments would reduce parking requirements compared to offices.
The parish council objections are based on insufficient parking for residents and visitors and unsuitability for conversion to apartments.
Neighbours say the plan would result in more traffic problems on a busy junction, increased noise, inadequate parking and loss of privacy.
Anger as residents lose
battle over phones mast
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS have lost a battle to block plans for a 60 ft high mobile phone mast at Penketh, near Warrington.
An appeal inspector has ruled that although the mast will be visible from the windows of nearby homes, their outlook is already dominated by a large electricity substation.
Warrington?s development control committee went against their officers? advice when they refused consent for the mast.
The applicant appealed ? and the inspector has overturned the council decision.
There was major opposition to the scheme in Widnes Road, Penketh, from local residents and councillors.
One angry resident said: ?It seems the inspector thinks that because our outlook is already spoiled by the substation, anyone else can come along and make it even worse.?
The inspector said while the mast would add to the amount of street furniture in the area, the mast would not cause obstruction or an unduly prominent feature.
He said: ?The proposed mast would be visible from terraced properties on Warrington Road, but outlook is already dominated by the considerable mass of an electricity substation. The mast is at some distance from these properties and is not considered to have a harmful effect on the living conditions of occupiers.?
There was no evidence to substantiate fears that the mast would be a distraction for motorists or a focal point for anti-social behaviour, he added.
A council spokesman said: ?This appeal demonstrates the inability of the council to utilise the planning process to resist telecommunications masts – notwithstanding the strength of local opinion.
?Proximity to a substation and the existence of other masts and street furniture are influences on the Inspector’s decision.?
Blood donor sessions
“more vital than ever”
by staff reporter
BLOOD donor sessions are being held at two locations in the Warrington area soon – and the National Blood Service has stressed that they are even more vital than usual.
With the recent floods affecting many parts of the country, worries over a possible new foot and mouth disease crisis and people going away on holiday, bloods stocks are low.
Local donor sessions are being held at the Methodist Church Hall, in Ellesmere Avenue, Culcheth on August 26 and at Lowton Civic Hall, Hesketh Meadow Lane, Lowton on September 3. There are sessions from 2-4pm and 5.30-7.30pm at both venues.
Cathy Davies Communications Officer for the NBS said: “The recent flooding has had some devastating consequences. For many people dealing with the results of such catastrophic weather or heading off on holiday could mean that donating blood slips off the agenda. But it is crucial that we keep stocks healthy as patients in the region need a constant supply of blood”
Blood isn’t just used for accidents and emergencies. Many hospital patients, such as those undergoing treatment for cancer and leukaemia need regular blood transfusions. In a recent survey, more than a third of people said they knew some
one who had received blood and one in 10 have received blood themselves.
Cathy added: “If you’ve never given blood before, why not take just take a few minutes out of your busy day to register your details? One donation of blood can save more than one life and if you’re already a donor then remember that you can give blood up to three times a year.”
Anyone who would like to help keep blood stocks healthy can ring the National Donor Helpline on 0845 7 711711 (open 24hrs) or visit www.blood.co.uk to register to find the venues and times for the nearest blood donation session and also book an appointment.
Any aged between 17 – 60 years of age, in general good health and weighing over 7st 12lbs can support the campaign.
Studio flats plan
is thrown out
by John Hendon
AN appeal inspector has thrown out proposals to convert offices in town centre Warrington into studio apartments ? because of the borough?s surplus of housing land.
The borough council originally refused permission for the conversion in Bewsey Street, in line with officers? recommendations.
An appeal followed ? but the inspector has ruled in the council?s favour.
The building is in a conservation area, but this did not raise any issue. The inspector accepted there was an oversupply of housing land in Warrington and said there was no evidence to show the application should be treated as an exception to the general presumption against housing development.
The site was not in an area identified for regeneration.
A council spokesman said: ?This is a further decision reinforcing policy which restricts housing supply, even where that addition to supply comes about through the conversion of an existing building.?
