RESIDENTS turned out in force to show their opposition to controversial plans to build 1,200 homes on greenfield land at Peel Hall, Warrington.
They were joined by local councillors and Warrington North MP Helen Jones at a public rally to show the strength of feeling against the proposed development.
Residents were campaigning against the potential loss of one of the last remaining areas of open grassland, trees and ponds in one location in Warrington.
An audit by Warrington Nature Conservation in 1995 placed high value on the variety of habitats found on one site, the wide species diversity and the sheer size of the area.
Warrington Nature Conservation Forum has identified at least 67 species of birds, 78 moths and butterflies,3 amphibians, 10 mammals and two of bats on the site. The site is flourishing with new species being identified on a regular basis.
In the mid 1980’s Satnam Investments bought the site as agricultural land. but on August 14 1999 people in the area were awoken by the noise of bulldozers and a JCB moving onto the area.
Residents saw shrubs, trees and willows being ripped up. When council officials arrived, having been called by residents, they were told that the land was being cleared on the orders of the owners.
Residents say further “culling” has been witnessed on many occasions and was carried out again this summer 2016 when heavy machinery was used to plough areas and shrubs and bushes were torn down, all during nesting season.
Local resident Wendy Johnson Taylor, who organised the public rally said: ““Every time Satnam has put forward a planning application it has been vigorously opposed and it has failed. I have been amazed by the number of residents who have turned out in force today to make their stand against Satnam again”
“This rally was truly a show of strength and it sends out a clear message to Satnam that it should brace itself for another massive fight. We won’t give up”
“This new application comes flawed with grey areas that should be ringing alarm bells though out the council’s chambers!”
“This development can never achieve the sustainability claimed by Satnam.”
“Peel Hall is a natural, unique area which remains unspoilt. It is a haven for flourishing wildlife, despite Satnam’s attempts to sabotage it. Every time this happens the wildlife keeps coming back as if to say ‘we are going nowhere – we’re here to stay’. The area is landlocked completely so if any development did to go ahead where would the wildlife go? There’s nowhere for it to move onto.”
“Sandwiched by the M62, and heavily built up areas, Peel Hall acts as a vital green lung in combating pollution. It has described over the years as the lungs of North Warrington.”
“Instead of considering snatching Peel Hall away from us the planning committee should look towards preserving it for our town to enjoy for generations to come. Peel Hall is a precious location
and sadly is becoming a rarity in our town. Once it’s gone we won’t get it back.”
Warrington North MP Helen Jones and local councillors joined the campaigners to voice their opposition.
Ms Jones said all Satnam developments were interested in was “making money!”
Local youngsters help get the message across
SAVE PEEL HALL – Public Fight Back from Digata on Vimeo.
Drone footage courtesy of Chris Digata
2 Comments
An excellent turn out and good arguments for not building . Well done Wendy and everyone who turned up to show their opposition.
“In the mid 1980’s Satnam Investments bought the site as agricultural land”.
Which means there would have been an agreement with the then owners that should the land be used in future for development they would have a substantial share of the profits.
So it’s not just Satnam who are interested in making money by developing this site now.
Perhaps Ms Jones and all the councillors who profess to be fighting this application could inform the general public just who else other than Satnam stands to gain from the development. Then they would know exactly who to address their protests to..