SAVE Peel Hall campaigners are rolling up their sleeves in preparation for what they say is the most critical hurdle yet in their fight to save the last natural green space in North Warrington.
Residents who have been left astonished by Warrington Council’s local development plan suggesting Peel Hall as “suitable” for development, are planning their biggest ever community rally at Cinnamon Brow Farm Club on Sunday, January 21 at 2pm.
In January, the Council’s Development Management Committee unanimously rejected outline plans proposed by Satnam Millennium Ltd, to build a major development, including 1,200 homes, on Peel Hall. But Satnam has come back forcing the council to face a Government Inquiry. It is scheduled to start on February 13th, 2018, at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub.
“We have been waiting for this,” said campaigner Wendy Johnson-Taylor. “This has come as no surprise to us. This is Satnam’s tactics. This will be the second time this organisation has forced our council into the appeal process. Satnam has failed on every application that’s been put forward and now it wants to drag our council through this again. What a scandalous drain on council time, resources and a waste of tax-payers’ money. The last appeal left our council out of pocket by tens of thousands of pounds and that’s our money going into fighting Satnam!”
“We are calling for a thorough review of planning legislation. It has to stop wealthy real estate outfits like Satnam from this constant badgering. Its only purpose is to keep dragging us through this process in the attempt to grind us down and give in. It’s happening all over the country. It’s about time our council had the powers to say enough is enough! This hounding has got to stop, especially in our current, unstable economic climate.”
Wendy added: “It appears that Satnam is trying to get through a side door by using the appeal process to get approval for what is a truly unsustainable development plan. It’s wrong”
Fellow campaigner Jon Parr added: “These repeated refusals must confirm that this land has serious fundamental issues that cannot be overcome. The ‘abuse’ that we are constantly taking from Satnam is nothing short of shameful bullying tactics in terms of the time, money and pressure put on our residents, our council and politicians.”
“It’s surprising that Satnam has appealed against the latest planning decision by our councillors who unanimously voted on serious issues such as lack of infrastructure, damaging and obliterating our green spaces and overall unsustainability.
Jon added: “It’s no coincidence that this comes running off the back of our council’s development plan suggesting Peel Hall land as “suitable” which I find astonishing having had it unanimously refused by councillors from across all wards!”
Wendy added: “Residents are now gearing up for the appeal. During the run up to the appeal we are staging the most important and biggest community rally to date. This will be held at Cinnamon Brow Farm Club on Sunday, January 21st at 2pm. We are urging everyone to spread the word and join us on the day.”
“There has not been one submission where Satnam has been able to demonstrate a development that provides proof of sustainability, a plan that is designed to integrate and blend harmoniously with our community, a plan that adds value to its locality, a plan that displays genuine and careful consideration to its environment, a plan that protects green spaces and a plan that shows compassion for local wildlife. We are rolling our sleeves up yet again and on behalf of everyone who is fighting to save North Warrington’s last natural green space I can say with confidence – bring it on, we will be ready!”
Some of the Peel Hall campaigners packing into a planning meeting
2 Comments
Satnam certainly don’t want to take NO for an answer do they and no doubt they will continue to submit amended plans even if the outcome of the next Government Enquiry/Appeal is a NO too.
Where it says “Warrington Council’s local development plan suggesting Peel Hall as “suitable” for development” does that mean the council themselves have said it’s suitable for development, if so that could be a big plus point for Satnam in the appeal. OR does it mean that Satnam themselves put forward their land to be be considered for development in the LDP. Many other landowners put theirs forward, including pockets of green belt land, for consideration too but not all were chosen as possibilities.
Satnam can make a fortune by gaining planning permission. They really don’t care if the houses are any good, if air pollution gets worse, or if the area is permanently gridlocked. They just want money.
That’s perfectly rational. Last time I looked, this was a democracy and we all have a chance to make our feelings known.
If the Council lets this through then the backlash against them will be severe. No local person wants this development, just a millionaire based in Cheltenham. Let’s all push back as firmly as we can – it isn’t often that an issue as clear cut as this one comes along.