Residents urged to challenge and question Local Plan

VIDEO: RESIDENTS have been urged to “Challenge and Question” Warrington Borough Council’s Local Plan.

Planning consultant John Groves, made the plea at the fifth and final Rethinking South Warrington’s Future (RSWF) information session which took place at Bridgewater High School.

Mr Groves, who previously worked as head of Warrington Borough Council’s Planning Department, has been employed by local parish councils in the South and RSWF to help put together a robust response to the ” flimsy plan” which they say has shocking lack of detail – especially when relating to issues such as a proposed gypsy/travellers site and waste recycling centre “somewhere in the south.”

Mr Groves says it is vitally important that residents “Challenge and question the plan” when submitting their observations during the consultation period which ends at 5pm on Monday June 17.

Objections can be made by email to [email protected]

He urged people to put in objections “in your own words” and if possible avoid using the council’s own template.

RSWF is a non-political not for profit organisation formed from local residents’ groups in the area campaigning for the right plans for Warrington – the right number of houses in the right place, with the right type of jobs and infrastructure that preserves the character of the town and in particular Green Belt.

They are challenging the Local Plan because they do not believe it is what the town needs.

There were 4,500 responses to the council’s draft local plan, which they claim are being ignored and they are calling for an even bigger response this time.

To continue the fight the group requires donations which can be made online via www.rethinkingsouthwarrington.org

The four key areas of concern are-

1. Justification – no justification for the predicted growth in housing need.

2. Soundness: widespread flaws and weaknesses throughout the plan.

3. Logistical issues: Lack of detail over huge multi-million pound infrastructure projects.

4. Deliverability: flimsy plans and shocking lack of detail.

Finally they say the plan doesn’t meet four of the criteria for release from Green Belt – to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas, to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns and to assist  in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.