Developers win chance
to re-think hall plan
by David Skentelbery
DEVELOPERS are to be given a chance to amend controversial proposals to restore one of Warrington?s most historic buildings ? the 16th century Bewsey Old Hall.
The borough council?s development control committee has agreed to a request from regeneration specialist Urban Splash to defer consideration of the proposals, which have sparked massive opposition.
Planning officers had recommended the current proposals be rejected and there was strong opposition also from Cheshire County Council’s conservation officer, the Bewsey Old Hall Conservation Project, Great Sankey Parish Council, the Maltings public house and nearby residents.
They believed the scheme contained little if any public benefits and had insufficient parking space.
They also claimed the scale and massing of the new development would be oppressive and out of character with neighbouring properties.
The hall and single storey kitchen wing is a Grade II* Listed Building and an adjoining farmhouse and flat at the western end of the three storey hall are Grade II Listed.
It is also the site of a Scheduled Ancient Monument Site – a moated area and fishponds – and parts of the building date from the late 16th century when it was the home of the Boteler family – Lords of the Manor of Warrington.
The hall – reputedly haunted – stands in a wooded setting, protected by Tree Preservation Orders.
Urban Splash’s proposals involve conversion of the hall into seven apartments and the construction of a new, modern style block of 48 apartments – 18 per cent of which would be “affordable.”
They also include landscaping, car parking, provision of a heritage trail, a ranger station and a bat roost.
The developers say the new apartments are required to provide funding for restoration of the old hall and it is estimated the developer would make a profit on cost of 21.5 per cent, compared with the normal acceptable range of 15-20 per cent. This is considered acceptable due to the risks involved the project.
Ten years ago a plan to refurbish the hall and use it as a heritage centre, including visitor spaces, exhibition space, associated offices, shop, ranger office, education suite and teashop were approved, but never implemented.
University course
led to romance
by James Parr
TWO lovebirds who met while studying at the Warrington campus of the University of Chester have decided to set up home in the romantic city of Paris.
Richard Jolley and Marie Thomas were both studying Media – Commercial Music Production at the Warrington site when they met and have now decided to move in to a flat in Paris.
Richard is currently teaching English in a Parisian school.
He said: “Paris is an exceptionally beautiful place to live and it’s a very vibrant city. Teaching English wasn’t my original plan, but I’m still learning the language so it’s ideal really.
“Life at Warrington was great. The campus is quite small but we really enjoyed the intimacy there and it was a good place to study and socialise.”
Marie, who was born in Paris, now works in the marketing department of a major, international company, after also completing a law degree in Paris before coming to Warrington.
She said: “I decided that I didn’t really want to be a lawyer and, as I was fluent in English, I was keen to study in Great Britain. I was looking to combine studying music with business and, thanks to the great flexibility in course options at the University of Chester, I chose to study at Warrington.”
Residents lose battle
over drugs unit
by John Hendon
RESIDENTS have lost a battle to block plans for a drug dependency unit in Bold Street, Warrington.
Planning bosses have given the go-ahead for the unit to be set up in premises currently used for offices.
Neighbours, together with councillors Bob Timmis and Pat Wright, had raised concerns.
There were growing fears drug addicts who would be using the unit would put people who work for nearby business at substantial risk.
They also pointed out here was a similar unit already operating in the town.
But the borough council?s development control committee approved the scheme, submitted by a by a registered charity from Brighton.
Conversion work will now begin on the site, which will employ a manager, a doctor, three team leaders, three nurses, 12 general workers and two administrative staff.
Bus company scoops
gold in regional contest
by James Parr
WARRINGTON Borough Transport received the highest accolade at the prestigious UK advertising and marketing industries “Fresh Awards”.
WBT commissioned an advertising campaign to promote their Network Warrington bus service through a series of familiar customer facing signs on bus interiors highlighting their achievements.
The town’s bus company picked up the only Gold Award available in the Best Regional Press Campaign category.
An example from the winning campaign is the sign “Please do not hug the driver while the bus is in motion”, with an image accompanied by the text “We achieve a massive 98 per cent customer satisfaction.”
The “Fresh Awards”, which are judged by leading UK marketing professionals, identify outstanding communications campaigns created by companies based outside London.
Managing director of Manchester based advertising agency and campaign creators And Partners, Andrew Brown-Allen said: “This is a great win and we’re delighted that the campaign has received real recognition in such a fiercely contested category. We’re proud of these ads and it’s great to be given the opportunity to work with a passionate, fresh-thinking client like Warrington Borough Transport.”
Chairman of Warrington Borough Transport Les Hoyle added: “Picking up this award puts the icing on the cake of a great year for Network Warrington. The campaign was commissioned to celebrate our recent achievements and success in terms of passenger numbers and service improvements, so it seems fitting that the campaign has been such a success in its own right, too.”
Motorists warned to
look out for changes
by staff reporter
MOTORISTS in the Westbrook area of Warrington are being advised to look out for changes on a major set of traffic lights from Sunday, November 11.
The lights are at the junction of Cromwell Avenue and Ladywood Road and have been the subject of controversy for several months since earlier changes led to long traffic tailbacks.
Improvements include changes to the way the signal phases operate and the priority given to some traffic movements.
The changes, which should be completed in time for the nearby Asda opening times, will be fully signed for drivers. But motorists are advised to take particular care on Sunday morning and use more caution during the first few days.
This is the first stage of a number of measures planned by the borough council following a thorough review of the junction designed to make the area safer for pedestrians and motorists.
Leadership award
for local firm
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON-based company has won a leadership award in this year?s North of England Business Excellence Awards.
Electrical company Premium Appliance Brands, of Centre Park, is celebrating its success, after submitting its application for the award in April.
Company founders Guy Weaver and Peter Brazier learned they had won at an awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Manchester Deansgate Hilton.
The company designs and sources kitchen appliances such as free standing ovens, microwaves, hobs and dishwashers.
Chief executive Guy Weaver said: “Our mission is to deliver added value to our customers through innovation in design and by challenging the preconceptions in the market and the way in which we do business.
“Reputation, good business practice, quality of service and consistent delivery are the cornerstones of our business strategy.”
He said it was important to gain the support of the whole staff and the directors worked to ensure everyone felt involved and understood the company’s vision and values. He added that good internal communications and career development and career development.
Man escapes from
smokefilled flat
by John Hendon
A MAN escaped from a first floor window after vandals placed a wheelie bin outside his front door and set it alight.
The incident was in St Catherine’s Way, Warrington.
The front door of the property was badly damaged by fire and the hallway was heavily smokelogged. A first floor flat was also smokelogged but a ground floor flat was not affected.
The occupant of the first floor flat escaped through a bedroom window before fire crews could reach the scene.
Police are investigating the incident.
Friday night walkers
raised ?1,800 for charity
by staff reporter
WALKERS who put their best foot forward in a Friday Night Sponsored Walk in Lymm helped raise ?1,800 for charity.
Money raised will be shared between Claire House Children’s Hospice, Kabuki Research and Oughtrington Scouts.
Walkers set out from Oughtrington Community Centre on a 3.5 mile walk. After the walk a barbecue was held at the centre with live music provided by 2s Company.
One of the organisers Ann Scales said: “We are really delighted and will be holding another Friday Night walk in springtime.
“The charities are really delighted and would like to thank everyone who took part and helped raise the funds and to 2s Company for entertaining us all so well.”
News in brief
Festive fair
A HOST of attractions are planned when Lymm Village Hall Playgroup holds its Christmas Fair.The event, on Saturday November 24, is from 2pm to 4pm at Lymm Village Hall in Pepper Street.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 3,5 8 and 16. The ?473 jackpot went unclaimed and will be rolled over to next week. a ?25 consolation prize was won by a hospital visitor.
Hoarding veto
WARRINGTON Trailers have been refused planning consent for an advertising hoarding at their premises in Winwick Road, Warrington.
Trust victory
PLANS submitted by Warrington Primary Care Trust to demolish a three storey building in Guardian Street, Warrington to make way for a single storey building for renal dialysis treatment have been given the go-ahead by the borough council. Associated landscaping and parking provision have also been approved.
