AN Independent councillor has expressed cautious but positive support for the Parkside Phase 2 development as it goes before planners next week, after confirmation junction mitigation works affecting Winwick will be secured to address concerns about traffic impact.
The application, which relates to the second phase of development at the former Parkside Colliery site, remains subject to approval by councillors at St Helens Borough Council’s Planning Committee on 3 February. However, objections previously raised by Warrington Borough Council and National Highways have now been withdrawn on the basis that a package of highway mitigation measures will be delivered.
Those objections centred on the scale of traffic the development would generate, and the resulting impact on the local and strategic road network, particularly along the A49 and at key junctions serving Winwick.
The agreed mitigation will be backed by £6million of ring-fenced funding from the developer for improvements at a number of junctions affecting the village.
Speaking ahead of the committee meeting, Independent councillor Stuart Mann, who represents the Burtonwood & Winwick ward, said his concerns — shared by both Warrington Borough Council and National Highways — had always focused on traffic levels and network capacity.
“My objections, and those raised by Warrington Borough Council and National Highways, were never ideological,” he said.
“They were about the very real impact this scale of development would have on traffic levels and on a road network that is already under significant pressure.”
Cllr Mann said the withdrawal of those objections was contingent on firm commitments to deliver junction mitigation works.
“Those objections were only withdrawn once it was clear that junction improvements would be secured and delivered,” he said.
“Whilst I still have huge concerns about the overall impact Parkside will have upon the community, particularly the proposed rail freight interchange which would be phase 3, I am pleased the network improvements in my ward will now go ahead.”
He added that while the legal agreement does not list individual junctions by name, he has already sought and received confirmation from council officers about where the funding will be directed.
“I have had direct discussions with Warrington Borough Council officers to confirm that the mitigation funding will be used to address the junctions that matter most to Winwick residents,” he said.
Cllr Mann suggested that recent traffic surveys being carried out in and around the area may be reinforcing the concerns that had been raised.
“There is a growing sense that the traffic data now being gathered is starting to reflect what residents have been saying for years,” he said.
“That only underlines why getting this mitigation right is so important.”
He said securing meaningful mitigation had been a priority since his election.
“I have campaigned tirelessly to make sure Winwick was not overlooked and that mitigation was real rather than theoretical. The fact that this funding is now secured and protected is a significant step forward for the village.”
Alongside the Parkside proposals, Cllr Mann highlighted progress on a separate Local Regeneration Fund (LRF) scheme aimed at improving walking and cycling connectivity along the A49 between Winwick and Warrington.
He paid tribute to the role played by his fellow ward councillor Kevin Burgess, noting that both councillors had acted quickly following the General Election, amid concerns that regeneration schemes could be withdrawn as part of a wider review by the new government.
“One of the first things Cllr Burgess and I did after the General Election was to push national government for clarity,” he said.
“There were real concerns that Local Regeneration Fund schemes including those affecting Winwick and Burtonwood could be paused or withdrawn.”
He said their joint efforts helped secure confirmation that both the Winwick scheme and a separate scheme in Burtonwood would continue with funding in place.
“There is still more planning work to do and a full public consultation to come, but I am very supportive of the Local Regeneration Fund proposals and the long-term benefits they could bring,” he said.
Cllr Mann concluded by stressing that while the Parkside Phase 2 and Local Regeneration Fund schemes are separate, together they could deliver lasting benefits for Winwick.
“These are different projects with different approval processes, but they are aligned,” he said.
“If delivered properly, I genuinely believe both proposals will have a hugely positive long-term impact for Winwick.”
The Parkside Phase 2 application is due to be considered by St Helens Borough Council’s Planning Committee on 3 February.
Dates for the consultation on the Local Regeneration footpath scheme, which will be held at Winwick Community Centre on Myddleton lane will be confirmed soon.
