MORE than 100 people attended the first of two public meetings hosted by Winwick Parish Council at Winwick Leisure Centre last night (Wednesday) over controversial plans to build a biogas waste food plant on green belt land in the village.
In a two hour session the chair of the Parish Council Andy Griffiths and WBC and parish Cllr Stuart Mann, supported by Cllrs James Herron and Emma Lavender, gave details of what the planning application submitted by Severn Trent Green energy looked like, offered advice to residents about how to make a representation and covered key points to consider when doing that.
Reinforcing the committed, unprecedented united stance on matter, members of both Croft and Culcheth Parish councils also attended and the MP for Warrington North, Charlotte Nichols.
More than 800 people have already signed a protest petition opposing the development, which would be used to deal with waste food imported from outside of Warrington on land just 250 metres from new homes being built in the village.
Speaking to Warrington worldwide after the meetingCllr Griffiths said: “I was really pleased to see such a great turnout for this meeting and I hope all who attended found it of use.
“A great deal of work and time has been given by all members of Winwick Parish Council to ensure the whole community in North Warrington who will be directly affected should planning permission be given for this application, has all the necessary resources and guides they need to make their voices heard.”
For anyone who needs support submitting their objection there is a dedicated resource page on the Parish Council Website by CLICKING HERE.
He added, “We would encourage everyone to visit the page and read the supporting documents before putting in their objections.
“There is still time for anyone who wishes to object to do so via the WBC planning application pages. The current closing date is 11th August.”
A second public meeting is planned for this Sunday 3 August at 4pm also at Winwick Leisure centre and drop in sessions to support residents in their submissions will occur 6-8pm 3rd and and 6th August 6-8pm.
Commenting after the meeting, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols said: “It was good to join the Winwick Parish Council meeting to hear from Parish and Borough councillors and the community about the proposed plans by Severn Trent Green Power to develop an Anaerobic Digestion (Biogas) plant in Winwick village, on land between Winwick Link Road and Highfield Lane.
“It is important to stress that as an MP, I do not have a formal statutory role within the planning process at this stage, but given the strength of feeling about these plans in the community I strongly encourage all local residents with concerns to ensure these have been submitted on the planning portal so these can be taken into consideration. The deadline for this is the 11th August 2025.
“If you have any questions or queries, in the first instance, you should direct them to your Borough Councillors – Councillor Kevin Burgess and Cllr Stuart Mann for Winwick residents – but you can also contact me by email on the usual address.
