1,000 oppose “abuse of green space” at Burtonwood

MORE than 1,000 letters have been sent to Warrington Borough Council by residents of Burtonwood objecting to “abuse of green space” in the village.
A petition has also been handed in demanding more time for consultation as residents believe consultation so far has been badly handled.
The protests come from a newly-formed campaign group who claim most people in Burtonwood were not aware of the proposals put forward as part of the borough council’s Local Plan.
They claim most people had not received a consultation letter from the council and those that had said it was a generic “to the householder” letter which did not clear its importance.
Deadline for objections was Monday – the day the petition was handed in at the council.
The group urge their local councillors to join them.
Spokeswoman Susie English said: “If local councillors back this plan, they are against us. It’s as simple as that.”
The group listed reasons why the proposals should not go ahead.
*Insufficient notice was given to give residents time to object.
*The impact on the semi-rural of the proposals, including damage to wildlife such as the rare yellowhammer and woodpecker had not been considered.
*Massive development by St Helens Council, right up to the Burtonwood boundary, had not been considered.
*A planned housing estate on Green Lane would have an exit opposite a school, with terrible parking and traffic implications.
*The development would result in a “rat run” to the motorway.
In a statement the group said: “Most people in Burtonwood are against the whole plan for Warrington which decimates green space across our town.  We will join with other groups across the town and fight this development.”