CONTROVERSIAL proposals for 150 homes on land at Peel Hall, Warrington, will include a £1 million “once in a life time opportunity” for a local football club.
As developer Satnam announced submission of their planning application following feedback from the local community, Winwick Athletic FC secretary Paul McMahon said it would “provide a once in a lifetime opportunity” which they needed to “seize with both hands.”
But the proposals have met with fierce opposition form local MP Helen Jones (pictured) who has helped organise a protest petiiotn signed by more than 1,000 people.
Satnam describe their plans as a “major investment for Orford” and have submitted a planning application to Warrington Borough, to deliver new homes on land at Mill Lane.
The application follows a period of public consultation and careful consideration of local views.
Following feedback from the local community, the proposals include up to 150 high-quality homes from new family houses to affordable properties to suit local needs, such as first time buyers struggling to get their foot on the housing ladder or key workers, such as teachers or nurses. Community allotments and orchards are also proposed as part of the scheme.
As part of the proposals, over £1million will be invested into the current playing fields site at Windermere Avenue, and will help Winwick Athletic Football Club to provide new and improved facilities, such as all weather floodlit pitches, new changing rooms and state-of-the-art facilities that will enable the club to expand and increase its accessibility to all those interested in sport. This could include developing girls’ soccer at the club and offering disabled football. The investment into the Windermere Avenue site and Winwick Athletic Football Club will also benefit other clubs in the area, as there will be the opportunity for the new facilities to be used and enjoyed by other local sporting organisations.
Colin Griffiths of Satnam said: “I am pleased to be able to announce that our plans have now been submitted to Warrington Borough Council. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the public exhibition to view our proposals and speak with members of the team about our plans for Mill Lane.
“I understand that some concerns have been expressed and we fully expect a level of opposition from residents living in close proximity to the site. I am convinced that the approach we have taken, asking residents for their views and making clear the opportunities that Mill Lane presents for the wider community, has been inclusive and encouraged debate.”
Speaking on behalf of Winwick Athletic Football Club, Paul McMahon, Club Secretary, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the club and one which we need to seize with both hands. The success of Winwick Athletic Football Club over recent years has meant that we have outgrown our current facilities and, regretfully, we cannot accommodate all the sporting events that we’d like to. We should be encouraging young people to get involved with sport and fitness, but to do so we really need new and improved facilities.
“We are really excited about the £1million investment that will be provided to the club and the state-of-the-art facilities that this will pay for. Only with this development will we have the chance to invest in the club, allow it to expand and secure its future. We support the draft proposals and hope local people will get involved to help shape the final plans.”
A dedicated community information line is also available for those who want to discuss the plans on 0161 247 8417.
Homes plan offers once in a life time opportunity
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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.
9 Comments
This is a simple one surely. It’s on green belt land so cannot be developed. Is it any more complicated than that? Also, isn’t the land that is being set aside for the new playing fields already council owned land? And is that the £1million an’investment’ or is it ‘planning gain’.
It’s no longer green belt but it’s still a green field site. So, yes, since the current UDP states that “Planning permission will not be granted for housing development on greenfield sites”, it should be quite simple.
Nothing is simple when WBC Planning Dept is involved. There will be ducking and diving all over the place to placate the Developer but you can be certain that the wishes of residents will be ignored. As for the development of greenfield sites I agree it should be easy but our planners will find a way, won’t they?
Whats the betting there will be a drawing somewhere – that was stashed away during the planning shredfest – that our ducking and diving planners will produce out of the hat to show the UDP was not meant to say what fugitino sez it does? Nowt is ever that easy with this bunch of planners.
Well, have to say Karl, I was a bit worried that such a thing might have been happening yesterday ‘cos I kept getting the “internal error” message when trying to access it. Have to say I’m a bit concerned about the sense of defeatism around this as it’s playing into Satnam’s hands. I can’t guarantee that nothing dodgy is going on, but I can guarantee that if people don’t object (because they think it’s a foregone conclusion), then there’s more chance of it being approved.
I suppose cynicism is bred by experience. But it’s important to keep hoping that our councillors will start to represent the views of the people of Warrington. For too long now the town has been run by officers. This development is clearly in breach of the terms of the UDP, it’s been planned in a very suspicious way and there are certain disingenuous claims being made about this sports club from what I can see.
Indeed, it’s unclear who approached who around the football facilities. Either way though, the cost to residents far outweighs any benefits this might bring. Btw, the new Core Strategy also states that any new developments will not be phased.
didn’t the same happen when Tesco offered to build a stadium after previous applications had been rejected? Voila…. one new Tescos!!
It won’t be the first time a developer has played on human nature using the divide and conquer technique to get his way.