THE ongoing public inquiry into the controversial Six56 logistics development on Green Belt land at Grappenhall has again been adjourned – following news of a “third-party” challenge to the council’s Local Plan
After resuming the inquiry at The Base earlier today, the Inspector has adjourned it until at least June 11 and this date could go back if the third-party challenge to the Local Plan extends beyond that date.
The Inquiry was told that the third-party challenge to the Local Plan is apparently going to relate to the Fiddler’s Ferry allocation.
No details were given on who the third party was challenging the Local Plan which was recently adopted by the borough council.
The Applicant Langtree PP & Panattoni said they had informed that another Party (not disclosed) is planning to seek leave to challenge the recently approved Local Plan. The deadline for a challenge is 16 January (6 weeks after Full Council approval).
Langtree’s Counsel argued that this could have a material impact on consideration of the major planning issues to be examined at this week’s Inquiry. He therefore sought an adjournment until the application to challenge the Local Plan had been heard in the High Court.
The Council told the Inquiry that they would defend the regularity of the newly adopted Local Plan.
Appleton Borough Cllr Mark Jervis, a member of the South Warrington Parishes Group opposing the application said: “This last-minute development, which was sprung on us as the Inquiry reopened, is very disappointing and frustrating.
“After the newly adopted Local Plan emphatically abandoned the proposed Employment Area on which this application would sit, we were hopeful that the Inquiry would end the uncertainty for local residents on an early timescale. This is because the new Local Plan protected this area of valuable Green Belt and concluded that this area of new Employment Land was not needed in Warrington. However, this uncertainty is now set to continue for many more months.”
Meanwhile Lymm Cllr. Ian Marks said, “I was frustrated to find our when I attended the adjourned Public Inquiry that there had been yet another twist to this saga. At the same time I was not that surprised, because I know how keen Langtree is develop this site for logistics. I wondered if a rabbit would be pulled out of the hat at the last minute and it was.
“I voted against adopting the Local Plan when it came before Council on 4 December. I totally accept we need a Local Plan to stop a developers’ free-for-all, but I believe a more acceptable plan could have been prepared for approval. But I was delighted when the Local Plan Inspectors re-affirmed their determination that the site proposed for Six/56 should not be removed from the Green Belt and the Council, albeit reluctantly, agreed.
“We have been fighting against this development for years and hoped that Langtree would back down. We realised this was not going to happen because all arrangements for the second adjournment to the Inquiry were in place when we turned up. The bombshell came at the start of proceedings when Langtree’s barrister announced there was to be a challenge in the High Court to quash the Plan approved by the Council.
“We don’t yet know who has made the challenge or how long the legal process will take. The third adjournment will take place in June. What we do know, is that it brings uncertainty into the whole planning process. This is most disappointing and the twists and turns will be difficult for most people to understand.”
The inquiry relates to land to the west of Junction 20 of the M6 Motorway, and Junction 9 of the M56 Motorway and to the south of, Grappenhall Lane/Cliff Lane (known as Six:56 Warrington) Grappenhall, Warrington.
Langtree PP & Panattoni are seeking Outline Planning (Major) – Outline application (all matters reserved except for access) comprising construction of up to 287,909m² (gross internal) of employment floorspace (Use Class B8 & ancillary B1(a) offices), demolition of existing agricultural outbuildings & associated servicing & infrastructure including car parking & vehicle & pedestrian circulation, alteration of the existing access road into site including works to M6 J20 dumbbell roundabouts & realignment of existing A50 junction, noise mitigation, earthworks to create development platforms & bunds, landscaping including buffers, creation of drainage features, electrical substation, pumping station, & ecological works, accompanied by an environmental statement.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a potential challenge that may be made to our newly adopted Local Plan. The Council is confident that the adopted Local Plan is fully legally compliant, but if a challenge is made ahead of the 16th January deadline, we will be rigorously contesting it.”
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