Peel Hall inquiry gets under way

THE public inquiry into controversial plans to build 150 houses at Peel Hall has got under way – with a warning from campaigners that it is only the first stage in a battle to halt development in the area.
Members of the Fight against Peel Hall Development committee, who will be support Warrington Borough Council’s refusal to grant permission, have pointed out that the issue will be raised against next week when another inquiry is held into the council’s Core Strategy.
According to the committee, developers Satnam will be seeking the go-ahead for 1,500 homes in the area at the second hearing.
Cllr Geoff Settle, a member of the committee, says he is surprised at how little weight has been given to the wildlife of the area.
But he says fellow committee member Ste Dodd has discovered and documented a great deal of wildlife activity.
By contrast, the applicants surveyed the area in February when wildlife was hibernating or had migrated.
Mr Dodd says he has received support from more than 1,100 people concerned about the impact on wildlife.
Committee chairman Margaret Steen claimed local people had been left out of the decision-making process.
She said: “When we asked people to put up posters saying ‘NO to Development at Peel Hall’ the response was tremendous.
“They have gone up everywhere in the village. The Inspector will be able to see for herself the opposition to the Peel Hall development.”
The inquiry is expected to last up to three days.