CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to build housing at Peel Hall, Warrington, today received an early Christmas present – the scheme has been thrown out.
The inspector who held a major public inquiry earlier this year has upheld Warrington Borough Council’s decision to refuse planning consent for the scheme to build 1,200 homes on the site.
It was the second time developers Satnam Millennium had gone to appeal over the controversial proposals – and the second time they had lost.
Now campaigners are hoping the borough council will remove Peel Hall from its draft local plan, where it is currently scheduled as being “suitable, available and achievable” for housing.
Council planners have admitted they are not totally opposed to houses being built on the site – the last piece of open land in the North of Warrington – subject to the necessary infrastructure being in place.
Today, Warrington North MP Helen Jones – a long-standing opponent of the housing scheme – said: “I was pleased to present evidence to the public inquiry against this unwanted development. I am delighted by this result, which sees Satnam’s appeal dismissed. Around 2,000 objections were lodged when these plans were first put before Warrington Borough Council, showing the strength of feeling that exists in our local communities. It is right that local people’s voices have been heard.
“Any development on Peel Hall would have a huge effect on my constituents throughout Warrington North. I hope that Satnam will now hear the message of today’s result loud and clear and stop inflicting these unnecessary applications on our town. I also hope that the council will take note of the Inspector’s decision and remove the Peel Hall site from any future drafts of their Local Plan.
“This is the best Christmas present that local people could have asked for.”
Winwick parish councillor Chris Vobe, who has also worked with residents to lead the campaign against development on Peel Hall , said: “I am very pleased that the planning inspector has listened carefully to the views of local residents, and accepted the arguments that were put forward by councillors and the community – specifically, that the planned development would seriously affect the safety and efficiency of our local highway network, would impact on the character of our area, and would contribute negatively towards air pollution in this part of the town.
“The Labour Party here in Poplars and Hulme have been steadfast in their opposition to these plans since the outset. We are delighted by today’s decision and will continue to support the community in protecting the last green space in Warrington North for future generations.”
Wendy Johnson Taylor, spokesperson for the Save Peel Hall campaign group, said: “We are absolutely ecstatic about this news. But we now believe Peel Hall must be removed immediately from the borough council’s draft local plan. A letter to this effect is being delivered by hand to the council;s chief executive, Professor Steven Broomhead, today.”
