Greenfield site going for just £1?

TOWN Hall watchdogs at Warrington are to be urged to approve the controversial sale of a greenfield site worth £1.6 million for just £1.
A report by the borough council’s executive members for planning and housing and finance, Coun Bob Barr and Coun Fiona Bruce, to be put to scrutiny committee members next week, will recommend the sale of Cartwright’s Field, off Chester Road, Stockton Heath, for affordable homes, should go ahead.
The proposal has infuriated local residents, Stockton Heath Parish Council and some borough councillors.
It has yet to be considered by planners but the borough council’s executive board has already agreed the sale to Warrington Housing Association.
Local councillor Sue Dodd (pictured) has “called in” the proposal for examination by scrutiny chiefs who, while they cannot reverse the executive decision, can advise that it be re-examined.
She claims the decision has breached four of the principles of good decision making.
1. Insufficient consideration was given to the loss of green space, safe play areas and the value of the field as a community resource.
2. The assumed needs of the hypothetical tenants of the proposed houses were put before those of the existing community.
3. Lack of adequate consultation with residents or local councillors
4. Although consideration was given to the risks of not going ahead with the scheme, none was given to the risks of going ahead, given the intention of residents to apply for village green status for the field and the possibility of rights of way across the site.
Coun Barr and Coun Bruce accept that the deal is subject to planning consent going ahead and that a successful application for village green status would block any development.
They say scheme would not go ahead until the village green issue had been resolved.
But they point out the land has only remained “green” because for years it was affected by highway proposals which were eventually abandoned. However, it has never been designated as public open space.
On the issue of consultation, they say approval for disposal of the land was approved in principle, as part of a package of 75 surplus assets, in 2006 when all councillors were invited to comment.
The following year, all councillors were sent a list advising them of which sites were suggested for disposal.
A presentation was made to Stockton Heath Parish Council and when a consultation meeting was held for local residents, 157 attended and 122 sent in written representations, showing a high level of awareness of the proposals.
In addition, it had been agreed to reduce the number of homes on the site from 54 to 51 to provide more open space.
Coun Barr and Coun Bruce point out that the Housing Corporation has allocated £2.7 million to fund the scheme. If Warrington Housing Association had to fund acquisition costs of £1.6 million, the scheme would no longer be financially viable.
The meeting takes place on Tuesday, October 28.