LIBERAL Democrats have stepped into the ongoing row over the controversial plan to build 150 houses on land at Peel Hall, Warrington.
Cllr Bob Bar (pictured), deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the borough council and the group’s planning spokesman says Warrington North Labour MP Helen Jones, and councillors supporting her, are doing more harm 
than good by attacking council officers.
He said: “Instead of telling Satnam, the developers pushing for a strongly opposed development on Peel Hall Farm, to get lost, she is providing them with encouragement by unreasonably criticising officers over this case.”
As already reported by Warrington-Worldwide, the MP has called for the resignation of the borough council environment and regeneration chief, Andy Farrall.
Supported by five councillors, she says he should resign because Satnam have lodged and appeal on the grounds of “non-determination” because the council did not deal with their planning application within 13 weeks.
But Cllr Barr said the developer was trying to use a “procedural quibble” to get their application determined by a planning inspector rather than the council.
He said: “It is normal for complex applications to take longer than eight weeks and the figure is a target not a deadline.
“Warrington Borough Council had already written to Satnam explaining that they would need up to 13 weeks to deal with the matter.
“Many residents have campaigned and petitioned against this development and all political parties are united in opposing it. Warrington’s policy is that no development will take place at Peel Hall Farm for at least the next 15 years.
“The planning department does need improvement and all parties are working together to make sure this happens. But, the last thing they need is to have their actions to protect Peel Hall Farm undermined by the MP.”
Cllr Barr said the MP and the councillors supporting her should consider what is best for the people of Warrington North.
He added: “They should have asked how to work with the council to prevent Satnam from building on Peel Hall Farm. Instead they have chosen to continue their vendetta against Warrington’s planning department.”
Lib Dems slam MP over Peel Hall
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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.
3 Comments
I find it hard to disagree with any of that. I hope that tonight’s public meeting can unite all opponents of this plan – politics really shouldn’t come into this – and come up with ideas on the best way we can all fight it.
time for all concerned to step up to the challenge
How can anyone be expected to support a department which refused to answer a single question about why the deadline on this scheme was missed – despite the representative [Peter Taylor] who attended last week’s Peel Hall meeting being given every opportunity to do so? I believe Helen Jones MP is not engaging in a vendetta about the planning department, she is just being realistic about a department which has consistently been found wanting by Warrington people.