Community representatives from across Warrington, Wigan and St Helens have agreed to continue working together as proposals for the major Intermodal Logistics Park North development progress.
Councillors, parish councils, residents’ associations and community representatives came together on Monday evening (September 28) for the latest cross-boundary discussion about the Tritax proposals and their potential impact on surrounding communities.
The meeting focused on improving collaboration, sharing information and ensuring communities are well prepared for the next stages of the process.
Among the issues discussed were transport and HGV movements, rail, the environment, agricultural land, construction impacts, infrastructure and the cumulative effect of other developments already taking place or proposed across the wider area.
Those attending also discussed the Development Consent Order process and the importance of learning from communities elsewhere in the country that have experience of major infrastructure applications.
Cllr Stuart Mann, Warrington Borough Councillor for Burtonwood and Winwick, Winwick Parish Councillor and Chair of Croft Parish Council, said: “The positive thing to come out of Monday evening was the willingness of people from different communities and organisations to work together. We may represent different areas and different organisations, but many of the potential impacts don’t stop at a parish or borough boundary. Sharing information, knowledge and experience makes absolute sense.”
Following the meeting, Cllr Mann has contacted parish councils, local authorities and community groups that registered as Interested Parties during the Development Consent Order process for Tritax’s Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange proposal, which was subsequently refused by the Government.
The aim is to learn from their first-hand experience of participating in a major DCO examination, including how communities prepared themselves and what lessons could be useful to those following the ILPN proposals.
Cllr Mann added: “There is no point reinventing the wheel if communities elsewhere have already been through a similar process. “I have started contacting organisations involved in the Hinckley examination to see whether they would be willing to share some of their experience with us. If we can learn what worked well, what they found difficult and what they wish they had known at the beginning, that could be incredibly useful.”
The group will now continue sharing information and developing its understanding of the proposals ahead of future consultation.
There is also an invitation for residents who may be able to contribute knowledge or professional expertise – particularly in areas such as planning and planning law, transport, rail, environmental matters, engineering and major infrastructure – to make contact.
Cllr Mann said the approach was about building knowledge rather than attempting to duplicate the work of individual councils or community organisations.
“Nobody is being asked to give up their independence or speak with one voice on every issue. This is about recognising that we can help one another. There is an enormous amount of knowledge within our communities. If somebody has expertise that could help us better understand part of these proposals, we would very much like to hear from them.”
You can reach Cllr Mann on cllrstuart.mann@warringotn.gov.uk
A further cross-boundary meeting has been provisionally pencilled in for Tuesday 3 November at Winwick Community Centre, where representatives will continue the work started at Monday’s meeting.
Further details will be confirmed nearer the time.
