THERE was standing room only as politicians and local residents rallied to prepare to fight controversial plans to start work on transforming the former CPS Centre at Culcheth, into residential accommodation.
Members of Warrington Borough Council’s planning committtee, will tomorrow, Thursday, consider controversial plans to carry out works on the first floor of the former shopping arcade as the first steps towards converting it into living accommodation.
It follows on from more than 20 local traders being evicted from the premises earlier this year, at short notice on “fire safety” grounds.
The works proposed at the premises on Common Lane, include skylights, a bin store and cycling racks.
Cllr Matt Smith and Charlotte Nichols MP both spoke and listened to useful contributions from lots of residents.
Ms Nichols said following the meeting: “Thank you to all the residents who attended the meeting regarding the planning application for the CPS Centre. Well done to Bernie and Gill for organising and to the Sundial Community Kitchen at the Daten for hosting. Not only were the seats full but the “standing room only” extended to outside the doors, down the corridor and even through the windows from the car park!
“It was great to see you all there!
“Remember, the application is being considered at the Council’s Development Management Committee on Thursday 14th August 2025. The meeting starts at 6pm and all residents are welcome to observe. If you can’t make it in person then the meeting is also streamed live online.”
Cllr Smith has registered to speak against the application at the meeting as have two other residents.”
Meanwhile local independent Cllr Neil Johnson added: “The public meeting held this week was a milestone moment in the campaign to save the CPS Centre and prevent it being turned into residential accomodation. The strength of feeling amongst local people was clear to see.
“Later this week, councillors and residents will stand united and make our case to the planning committee. There are very strong arguments against these absurd plans. We want to protect the viability of our village centre. All eyes will be on the Labour councillors who sit on the committee as we urge them to back Culcheth to the hilt.”
11 Comments
Well done everyone action of the landlords has ripped our the heart of the place. The shopkeepers were friendly and gave good advice. I have visited over a long time for a variety of goods that I couldn’t get elsewhere.
**i want to live in the heart** of Culcheth and want the apartments to go ahead ! the shops lost were nothing special, the cafe also will not be missed either, asked for coffees and sold large with not even asking and would not let a pensioner with dementia have a small piece of cake when sold large coffees they did not ask for just says it all about how the previous tenants thought of the local community !!!!!!!
Big deal about the coffee……get a grip
sounds like typical HIGH STREET ROBBERY !!!!!!
The applicant has certainly has certainly had the effect of uniting local residents against the application. One must be mindful that the application to be determined on the 14th is not for a change of use to residential.
This would require another application.
The application in front of the panel of councillors tomorrow is recommended for approval by the planning officer presumably based on planning law. Still planning is not an exact science so it will be interesting how the members of the panel vote.
OF COURSE IT WILL BE PASSED ! its a DONE deal !
So the owners told a load of lies and deceit to evict the shopkeepers
HEARD THAT THEY WERE NOT PAYING RENT ON TIME ! and played the COVID card so can hardly blame them !
the owners did the shopkeepers a BIG FAVOUR, who would want to be SELF-EMPLOYED these days? of a shop that just makes enough money to pay the rent ! LOL,
NOT REGULARLY INCOME, NO HOLIDAY OR SICK PAY AND NO PENSION ! only a buffoon would want to be self employed in these hard and challenging times !
One way or another the owner will get what they want. The council may refuse it but on appeal the government will grant it. This makes the council look like they’ve done their very best!
there only asking for a frigging CYCLE RACK, BINS AND FEW WINDOWS for gods sake ! **NIMBYS** !!! HOPE IT GETS PASSED & GET A LIFE !