A PLAN to use a converted barn as a day nursery for 35 children has been given the go-ahead by councillors at Warrington – despite objections from the local parish council.
Opposition from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the grounds the property was close to “hazardous installations” also failed to persuade the borough council’s planning committee to reject the scheme at Woodside Barn, in Manchester Road, Rixton.
The HSE objection was made on the grounds an underground gas pipeline ran close to the barn.
But the committee was told the pipeline actually ran through an adjoining site.
Rixton with Glazebrook Parish Council opposed the scheme on road safety grounds because they believed the access on to the A57 Manchester Road was inadequate.
They also believed the number of children attending the nursery could lead to cars queuing on the A57 – a “Red Route.” But the committee was told the highways authority had no objections.
Plans to convert the barn into residential accommodation were approved in 2002 and last year three applications to change its use to a children’s nursery were withdrawn without being considered by the committee.
The new scheme will involve the ground floor being used as a nursery for 35 children, with five staff, while the first floor will be converted to a four bedroomed dwelling.
There will be parking for 21 cars on the site and an outdoor play area.
Pictured: The access to the site which worried local parish councillors.
1 Comment
David, firstly thanks for taking the time to give us the publicity. We do feel however that there are several inaccuracies that we should address such as, the HSE were given incorrect information as to the location of the gas main. In your article you’ve stated that the planning committee have failed to take this in to account. The truth is actually that this objection was withdrawn prior to the case going before the committee as the objection was unfounded following evidence received from the national grid to show the pipes actual location was some 150 metres from the properties boundary line. I will also say that we are disappointed to not have the support of our parish council and found their objection slightly confusing, they used a highways matter as the basis of their complaint despite knowing we had a full highways report carried out as requested by the council, the report did contain recommendations all of which have been complied with and due to the works completed such as installing a fence to improve visibility and the proposed widening of the drive we have now exceeding their minimum requirements by some margin. In addition to which anyone that uses the A57 at peak times will appreciate that the slow moving traffic already exists without our input and following our market research it is this traffic that forms a part of our target customer base!!
Kindest regards
Ryan Winn
C/O Woodside Barn day nursery.