Council investigating possible breach of planning on Green Belt land at Burtonwood

AN investigation is underway by Warrington Borough Council over a possible breach of planning on Green Belt land at Burtonwood, Warrington.

There has been uproar since the Bank Holiday weekend after works started on the land off Farmers Lane in the village.

Local Cllr. Stuart Mann said: “Since 6pm last Friday evening I have been inundated with hundreds of emails and calls from residents of Burtonwood extremely concerned about what has occurred on Farmers Lane.
“Over 50 people attended my Cllr. surgery in the library on Saturday morning wanting to know how any owner was able to make such a material change to their land in such a short period without the necessary permission.
“I am not an expert in planning matters but a quick look at the WBC planning pages and the first sentences clearly state.
‘Before you make improvements always check if you need planning permission, building regulation approval, or both.
‘If you go ahead without permission or approval, you may end up having to put things back to how they were.’
Check if you need planning permission | warrington.gov.uk
Cllr Mann added: “Developers from the largest company building hundreds of homes as part of Warrington’s local plan to the Farm Shop just down the road looking to improve its car park normally submit and most importantly have approved very detailed planning applications laying out what they intend to do and how they intend to do it.
“Whilst it is not inherently against the law to start a project before receiving planning permission, doing so carries significant risks and potential consequences such as an enforcement notice requiring you to undo the work or apply for retrospective permission.
“This is why I feel the planning process is SO important. By following it we can protect our green belt from harm as well as industry and enterprise.
“Warrington must build around 15000 new homes over the next 10 years; can you imagine the utter chaos and outcry that would occur without this due process being followed as it should for all these developments?

With so many planned across Warrington in the next few years, such as the 1200 homes on Peel Hall or the 4200 for the South East Warrington Urban Extension Warrington residents and Cllrs MUST be able to hold ALL developers ‘feet to the flames’ and actively encourage them to stick to what their plans say.
“There are helpful links on the WBC pages for anyone who wants to raise a development concern
Contact the council | warrington.gov.uk
“And you are always able to email your local ward Cllr or attend one of their surgeries to do the same.
“Find them at the following link. Just click on their name and you will see their email address and sometimes telephone number.
Councillors | warrington.gov.uk
“As matters relating to Farmers Lane now involve a formal and legal process and to maintain independence of any application and investigation, I am unable to share anything more than that I have already on my Cllr Facebook page.
“I would again like to thank everyone who has contacted me vie email or phone over the past few days for their patience and support.”
Meanwhile, Nigel Catlow, Vice Chair of Burtonwood Parish Council wrote to the borough council over the weekend saying:” In my capacity as Vice Chair of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council this is a very serious and fast moving issue that seems to be out of control and the land owners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the bank holiday and the council being on a long weekend.
“This is of great concern to many residents and council tax payers, in Burtonwood and the wider area of Warrington West.”
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We have received a report about a potential breach of planning on land off Farmers Lane in Burtonwood, and are currently investigating the issue.”