Parish councils call for “alternative vision” for Warrington

SIX parish councils in the south of Warrington are to call for an alternative vision for the town at tonight’s meeting of the borough council.
The South Warrington Parish Councils’ Local Plan Group has submitted a public question to the full council meeting
Cllr Cliff Taylor, chairman of the group which represents the views of the six parish councils, will put the question.
The parish councils take advice from a planning consultant and a barrister. The question is to do with an alternative vision for the town which the group will be putting forward soon.
Cllr Taylor said “The SWP believes that the proposed submission version of the Local Plan which was put forward by Warrington Borough Council early in 2019 is out of date and not deliverable, and will be found unsound if it proceeds to Examination in Public.
“Since it was published, there have been many significant changes, such as Covid-19, the economic recession, an increased emphasis on climate change and, locally, the emergence of new brownfield sites. The proposed submission version takes no account of these changes.
“Before the end of this month the Parishes’ Group will publish the detailed case for Warrington Council to reconsider its Local Plan proposals. We will urge the council to revise the proposed submission version and give Warrington a Local Plan, which will be sound and suitable for today’s circumstances.”
Cllr Taylor will ask leader of the council Russ Bowden to confirm that he and the council cabinet will give serious consideration to the parishes’ document.