PLANS for a children’s play area and sports pitches on a former tip site at Warrington are being recommended for approval, despite concerns over flooding and contamination of the site.
The borough council is seeking planning consent from its own planning committee for the development on land off Longshaw Street, Dallam – part of the former Bewsey Tip site.
A children’s playground, with play equipment, a soccer pitch, a rugby pitch, car parking for 40 vehicles and an area of rough meadow and native hedgerow planning are included in the scheme.
The sports pitches are to provide improved facilities for teams using Dallam Recreation Ground and will eventually be relocated to the Dallam Park Project site.
Underground coal working dating from 1976 affects the site and parks were also formerly occupied by Warrington Transport Club and for a compound and offices for the council’s housing department.
There are no objections to the scheme, but the Environment Agency has pointed out the eastern end of the site is considered to be at medium to high risk of flooding.
The agency says it is concerned at significantly elevated concentrations of ammonia and says there is clearly a source of pollution on the site.
They are also concerned at pH values which require explanation and possible remedial action.
The agency wants conditions imposed to deal with the risks associated with contamination of the site.
Warrington’s natural environment officer also seeks conditions to protect water voles known to live in the adjacent Dallam and Sankey brooks.
