TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington have re-affirmed a controversial decision to sell a green field site for £1 to allow a development of “affordable” homes to go ahead.
But members of the borough council’s executive board say the deal will only go ahead subject to planning consent – and if an application to grant the land village green status fails.
They have also approved measures to improve consultation in any future similar circumstance.
The board reconsidered the plan to sell Cartwright’s Field, off Chester Road, Stockton Heath after council scrutiny chiefs “called in” the decision for further examination.
The Sustainable Environment and Regeneration Overview Scrutiny Committee decided the executive had breached the principal of good decision making because it had insufficient evidence on which to base it decision.
It also claimed a further breach because Stockton Heath Parish Council had not been consulted.
The plan is to sell the land – valued at £1.6 million – to Warrington Housing Association for £1.
More than 50 homes would be built on the site – and the council will secure £3.7 million from the Housing Corporation for the provision of affordable homes.
Nearby residents opposed the scheme on the grounds Cartwright’s Field had been used by local children for more than 20 years as a play area and local roads would be unable to cope with increased traffic.
Residents are now in the process of applying for village green status for the land.
TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington have re-affirmed a controversial
decision to sell a green field site for £1 to allow a development of
"affordable" homes to go ahead.
Council chiefs confirm £1 land sale
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
