Pictures Ste Dodd
THE CPRE countryside charity has spotlighted the plight of Peel Hall on its national social media network as a prime example of the lack of protection afforded to urban green spaces.
The organisation, formerly known as the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), is constantly trying to change current legislation to secure the future of pockets of land that are earmarked for potential development. Peel Hall was brought to their attention by campaigner Wendy Johnson-Taylor and supporter Helen Middleton.
Wendy said: “Writing the piece was so sad and the photographs taken by wildlife campaigner Ste Dodd give testament to what we will lose. I described Peel Hall as the lamb to the slaughter and I said this just because this natural green space, the only one left in north Warrington, had the wrong ‘label’ attached to it. Because it is greenfield it was made available as land fit for housing stock despite the fact that we have campaigned for decades stating the reverse.”
In her account Wendy states that on a national level, truly little attention is given to biodiversity, and she slated the ‘grim and meagre offerings’ that were put on the table to protect plant and wildlife at the last public appeal that overturned a previous inquiry decision of dismissal to approval. She claims the balance is ‘skewed’, the law needs to change and welcomes any injection of land protection that the CPRE can achieve. “If it carries on like this, we will have no urban green space left. Peel Hall is pretty unique as it’s completely landlocked now by mature communities and busy road networks. Our wildlife will have nowhere to move onto and in my piece, I deliberately said, ‘God help them all.’ They will all pay the ultimate sacrifice.”
“We still cannot fathom out how two government planning inspectors were a universe apart when considering the exact same planning application.” Said Wendy. “It truly beggars’ belief.”
Wendys heartfelt account went on to say: “These beautiful photos were all taken on Peel Hall. Enjoy them now because in the not-too-distant- future this land will be making way for a major multi-use neighbourhood and up to 1,200 homes. The irony is that this land was farmland. It’s classed as greenfield. The landowner has waited and waited for the end game. This little sanctuary begins where other roads end. Why? Peel Hall was destined to become New Town sprawl, but a dedicated team deemed it unsuitable for development. No groundworks were ever carried out for any potential continuation and Peel Hall was allowed to blossom. This development should never see the light of day.”
Ste Dood reflected:” It has been a privilege over the last decade or so to capture the true beauty of Peel Hall. Sadly, time is running out and all we will have left are photographs and memories. This is a planning travesty on a major scale.”
Wendy went on to emphasise that her campaign group is still highly active and is looking forward to participating in the forthcoming Local Plan Inquiry. “We have been granted an audience with the elected inspectors and our supporters should be left in no doubt that we shall continue to fight for the best deal possible for Peel Hall and our community. We still have options and we are currently gearing ourselves up for in depth debate this September.”
Wendy’s full article and more pictures from Ste Dodd can be seen on the CPRE website CLICK HERE
Peel Hall
