A THIRD of visitors to Warrington’s Walton Hall Gardens had not heard of the borough council’s controversial proposals for a hotel development, a survey has shown.
But the vast majority of the two thirds who had heard of the plans were unhappy with them.
The survey was carried out over the recent Bank Holiday weekend by the Friends of Walton Estate and involved more 
than 150 people.
Visitors were asked what they thought about Walton Hall Gardens as they are today and told of the borough council’s proposals.
The vast majority said they are happy with the lawns, formal gardens, zoo, children’s play area, pitch and putt and other facilities including the pottery in the park, bouncy castle, land train, ice cream van and the cycle museum.
A third of the visitors were unhappy with the number of picnic benches provided and would like to see an increase.
The vast majority were also unhappy with closure of the heritage centre, heritage yard and cafe.
Most visitors were opposed to converting the hall into a hotel, any other hotel provision and any loss of public access to the park.
The Friends of Walton Estate is an independent body, formed with the co-operation of the borough council in 2002 with the aim of improving both the wildlife and amenities of the estate for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
They are opposed to any part of the park and gardens being used exclusively by patrons of the proposed hotel and claim not to have been consulted on the proposals.
4 Comments
I was reminded only last month how lovely this place is when I attended a school Governor’s training course.
I arrived early on a sunny morning and went for a walk.
Whilst doing so I remember the many trips that my wife and two children have made over the years. The kids thoroughly enjoyed our visits to the zoo, swings, Christmas fairs and who can forget the wonderful Disability Awareness Days when my daughter used to dance.
Then there have been the Warrington School Cross Country meetings. Also the annual Corporate Challenge 5km events organised by Clive Jones and his team that attracted hundreds of enthusiastic Business teams to the areas from the North West.
I have spent many a Saturday afternoon running around the estate and up into the local hills as part of my training regime.
How many of these and other events are now being put at risk?
I hope that everyone realises that there are not many venues in the Town that have such a wonderful backdrop, wildlife species and space like Walton Hall.
Councillor Geoff Settle
“I hope that everyone realises that there are not many venues in the Town that have such a wonderful backdrop, wildlife species and space like Walton Hall.” said Councillor Geoff Settle. Geoff I think most of the people in Warrington do realise how truly wonderful Walton Hall and Gardens are. Unfortunately, due to the Exec’s secrecy in progressing these plans I think that there are still very many who do not actually know anything at all about the grandiose aspirations the Exec members have for the Hall and Gardens. But word is spreading quickly!!!
Also Geoff, may I say, it is refreshing to actually have a council member express his views clearly, openly, honestly and publicly. There seems to be a habit amongst councillors to use dialogue of a somewhat confusing and contradictory style and content, which they think enables them to either hop side to side or sit comfortably on the fence when contentious issues arise. What they never seem to grasp is that the public are only too aware of the evasive tactics of the predominently self-serving!
Having more councillors of your standard would make Warrington a better place. With regard to Walton Hall and Gardens, up to now the majority of our councillors seem to be hanging back in the shadows rather than out front fighting for us!!!!
I think they are ‘persuaded’ not to have dialogue with the public, as we have seen in recent years when councillors have come onto the Forum only to be “warned” not to by their bosses.
Just about says it all then eh… although I have now read that Ian Marks is ALLOWING 2 members of the public plus one Borough Councillor (Con) and one parish councillor to ‘speak’ at the exec board meeting on monday ‘due to the exceptional circumstances’. Funny that as most other councils allow members of the public to speak as standard providing the apply to speak by 4pm the previous day !!!!