Developer slammed for
withdrawing ?30,000 offer
by David Skentelbery
A MAJOR company has been slammed for withdrawing an offer of ?30,000 towards community facilities because it didn?t get its own way over a planning application.
Retirement homes specialist McCarthy and Stone was criticised at a public inquiry into plans for a block of 52 sheltered flats in Rushgreen Road, Lymm.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt told the inquiry at Warrington: ?McCarthy and Stone are well known developers with a reputation for high quality, so we are particularly disappointed they have withdrawn their offer to a very worthy cause.
?In their last planning application they stated they would withdraw the offer if the application was refused and went to appeal. Many local residents were concerned and upset by that.
?Should the appeal be upheld, we hope they will reconsider their stated position.? Warrington Borough Council has twice refused permission for the flats on the site of Rushgreen Service Station, despite the offer of ?30,000 to nearby Oughtrington Community Association and another of ?200,000 towards the cost of affordable housing.
The scheme was opposed by Lymm Parish Council but split the local community, with roughly half nearby residents objecting and half supporting the proposals.
Coun Woodyatt said it was very disappointing that a company with a reputation for integrity should threaten to withdraw an offer to a very worthy cause if their application went to a public inquiry.
She said neither she nor the parish council were opposed to the principle of redeveloping the site.
But they objected to the size and scale of the proposed three-storey building and believed the proposed car park was inadequate. The route to the village shopping centre involved narrow footpaths unsuitable for people with mobility problems.
She did not believe there was a need for more retirement homes in Lymm.
There was a need for affordable homes ? but the offer from the company was for affordable homes in another area.
The result of the inquiry will be made known later.
DVD stars get a
red carpet welcome
by James Parr
STARS of a new educational DVD about the dangers of alcohol were given the red carpet treatment at its official launch in Warrington.
A limousine arrival and red carpet entrance gave the actors a taste of Hollywood lifestyle at the film’s premiere.
The film “I thought it was a laugh” is being used as part of a teaching package in schools across Warrington aimed at year eight pupils.
To be used in personal and social health education lessons (PSHE), the DVD highlights facts about alcohol as well as addressing the consequences of excessive drinking.
Julie Dunning, from Warrington Healthy Schools, said: “We took the general idea and made a lesson plan that teachers can adapt and use to get informative and fun messages over to people in year eight so they can make healthier choices regarding alcohol use.”
High praise was also heaped on the actors, who are from a group called Positive Futures, which is a social inclusion project using sport and arts to engage marginalised young people.
Julie added: “They have been the catalyst and their ideas have been the stepping stones on which we have built this project. Peer education, especially round things like alcohol are paramount in getting key messages across because young people will listen to other young people and this is where the DVD is so vital for PSHE education.”
Warrington Primary Care Trust is the institute behind the programme and they hope the right sort of message can be conveyed.
PCT alcohol harm reduction co-ordinator Jane Knight said: “We’re putting out a harm reduction message because we know that everybody is going to drink at sometime, so the message we are putting out is about sensible drinking and we’re giving them skills, life skills, to make informed choices themselves.”
Paramedic Steve Evans, who also features in the DVD, believes the education of young people in how to deal with the affects of alcohol is of vital importance.
He said: “There isn’t a really good teaching aid at the moment and the way it has been set up with asking questions and giving information to young people, they then make choices, there are consequences and it is our job to give them the skills to deal with things when they go wrong.”
Park to compete for
share of ?7 million
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON park will compete with community projects across the North West for a share of ?7.8 million in a television contest.
Granada is staging the regional People’s Millions TV contest for Big Lottery Fund good cause money. Awards of up to ?80,000 can be won for community projects – and Enfield Park, Cinnamon Brow is a contender.
From November 26 to 30 good causes will go head to head in a bid to secure public support by phone vote.
On Thursday November 29 Warrington Borough Council’s ?Enfield Park – Returned to the Community? project will battle it out against a riverside nature trail project at Padiham, in Lancashire.
The Enfield Park project will refurbish the large open space to improve safety and renovate the planting and pond area.
Granada will be on site filming on Friday November 16 at 1.15pm and the local community, councillors and schools will all be featured.
Coun Sharon Wilson said: “It was only by chance really that we saw the People’s Millions advertised and we all thought ‘lets go for it’. We have passed various stages of the application process and the whole community should be proud that we have made it through to compete for the Big lottery funding.
“This is about local people having a say on what goes on where they live and helping to transform their local environments so that everyone can benefit. The community has made it very clear what they would like to see in the park and what a huge difference these improvements would make if we won.”
Coun Ian Marks, leader of the borough council, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in this community driven project. To make it through to the final stages is a fantastic achievement and I hope that everyone rallies round and shows their support by voting on the day.”
The telephone number will be announced on the day and voting lines will be open between 9am and midnight, details are on the council website www.warrington.gov.uk or Big Lottery Fund website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/peoplesmillions
Singer Simon will
switch on lights
by staff reporter
SINGING sensation Simon Webbe will kick off a Christmas cracker when he comes to Warrington to do the all-important switch on of the festive lights in the town centre.
Former Blue singer Simon will be entertaining shoppers in Golden Square by performing some of his mellow chart tunes before flexing a finger to perform the town’s big switch on.
His visit on November 15 will tie in with other festive treats for Golden Square shoppers, with an old Victorian market and the town’s first Continental market running from November 14 to November 18.
Access is being made easier for shoppers to indulge in the Yuletide joy as the town’s park and ride scheme will be in full operation until December 22.
“Danger to the public”
jailed for 15 months
by James Parr
A SEX pervert who exposed himself to two women was described by a judge as “a danger to the public.?
Richard Dawn, 34, of Mill Lane, Stockton Heath, Warrington was jailed for 15 months at the town’s Crown Court after being convicted of two offences of indecent exposure.
He had denied both offences claiming it was a case of mistaken identity.
David Jones, prosecuting, said Dawn had exposed himself on two occasions – the sec
ond time while on bail for the first offence.
On both occasions, he appeared before the women completely naked and on the second occasion the victim was a 17-year-old girl.
Michael Davies, defending, said Dawn had been taking anti-depressant drugs, prescribed by a GP but had stopped taking the medication suddenly without seeking further medical advice.
Judge Roger Dutton told Dawn: “You have caused the victims serious concern, worry and upset.”
He ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
Road to close
temporarily
by James Parr
WARRINGTON Borough Council has announced the temporary closure of a busy road in Warrington.
Driving and footpath access on Midland way from the Legh street junction to Cockhedge roundabout will be closed for maintenance work to be carried out.
Alternative routes for vehicles are via Crosfield Street, Parker Street, Wilson Patten Street, Bridgefoot, Mersey Street, Fennel Street, Brick Street and vice versa.
Access to the road will be shut off on Sunday, November 11, between 12pm and 5am.
Local graduates to
receive degrees
by John Hendon
GRADUATES from the Warrington campus of the University of Chester will be among students receiving honours at a grand ceremony to be held in Chester Cathedral.
Students will be honoured alongside a number of celebrities, who will be receiving honorary degrees from the university.
The ceremony highlights and acknowledges the outstanding achievements of all students who have completed various three, four and five year courses.
University vice chancellor Prof Tim Wheeler said: “The graduation ceremonies are proud occasions for the university, and mark the culmination of hard study and fellowship. The graduates from all over the world have made their mark on Chester’s academic, cultural, sporting and social landscape.” Celebrities to be honoured at the ceremony are Loyd Grossman (MBE), Lord Wade, John Platt and Ian Dunn.
The Vice Chancellor added: “Outstanding achievement, talent and philanthropy are qualities which are among those we prize most as a University, and all our honorary graduates demonstrate these attributes magnificently.”
Timber yard
blaze alert
FIREFIGHTERS were called to the former Beers timber yard off Station Road, Latchford, Warrington after fire broke out in a disused building.
The blaze had threatened to escalate to other parts of the site but crews extinguished the flames. Nobody was hurt in the incident.
