“Presumptuous” plan back under scrutiny

A PLAN deferred once after a councillor condemned it as “premature and presumptuous” will be back before planning bosses again next week.
Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee will consider the scheme for fencing on land off Winwick Road a second time.
Cllr Mike Hannon argues that the application – made by the borough council itself – appears to be a back door way of developing the site.
He says the council should not, in the current financial situation, be spending significant amounts of money on a site that does not have planning permission.
Cllr Hannon believes the proposal should be considered as part of an overall future development of the site as a waste transfer station.
An adjoining firm, Winwick Skip Hire, has also objected to the scheme.
The plan involves the proposed erection of 2.4 metres high weld mesh fence and a six metre wide dual swing gate.
Planners say the fence is required to both secure the site and to enable completion of the eradication of Japanese Knotweed – currently not possible because of the location of skips and vehicles.
The committee is hoping for additional information when the scheme is considered again on Wednesday.