VIDEO: CONCERNED residents and councillors packed into a special workshop set up to get public feedback on controversial plans to develop a major logistics site on green belt farm land at Grappenhall.
The Monday evening workshop at Grapenhall Community Centre was the first organised by Langree concerning the proposed “Six 56 Warrington” development at Junction 20 of the M6 and Junction 9 of the M56, which aims to deliver nearly 5,000 logistics and manufacturing jobs if given the go-ahead.
But many of those attending the workshop described it as a “farce” as they were tasked with answering pre-set questions, mainly relating to a presumption that the plan was going to happen. Many felt it was a “done deal” and the workshops were just a “PR exercise.”
All those attending who spoke out, voiced opposition saying it was an inappropriate development on Green Belt land which includes residential properties, a dairy farm and an ancient monument moated site.
As well as the loss of Green Belt and traffic issues on the already congested road and motorway networks, fears were also expressed about air pollution and loss of wildlife.
There were also questions over evidence of demand for the development, the quality and need for jobs and the sustainability of the development.
Local Cllr Ryan Bate said he was “very concerned at the timing of the consultation, just two months ahead of the borough council’s draft local plan.”
One resident claimed the proposed warehouse would be around 40 metres high, just 5 metres shorter than the Statue of Liberty. “The scale of this development will be enormous and if it was given the go ahead it would be biggest eyesore in North of England!” he said.
The companies behind the proposals Langtree and First Panattoni, say it will provide a wide range of job opportunities for local people, ‘from entry-level operatives to supply chain managers and skilled technicians.’
A second workshop takes place tomorrow (Tuesday Oct 16) from 2pm – 4pm at the Community Centre, with others planned in the coming weeks and months.
Anyone who would like to be kept up to date on consultation should email [email protected]
The workshop at Grappenhall Community Centre
The Green Belt land under threat
