Homes plan promises
new life for
old factory site
by David Skentelbery
PLANS to breath new life into a sprawling, rundown site, blighted by years of industrial use, have been given the green light by planning chiefs at Warrington
Members of the borough council’s development control committee gave the go-ahead for the outline scheme – which includes more than 120 dwellings – for the 10-acre site off Bewsey Road and Dallam Lane.
The site adjoins the new ?12 million Warrington Wolves Rugby League stadium and is currently accessed from Bewsey Road and Dallam Lane.
Currently it is occupied by a range of industrial buildings, some dilapidated and disused and others inefficiently used.
The site adjoins an existing conrete batching plant in Dallam Lane and developers Morley Pooled Pensions plan to build a number of small business workshops to form a “buffer zone” between the housing and the plant.
About 65 per cent of the site will be occupied by homes.
Coun Celia Jordan expressed concern that a fine Georgian house occupying the site could be lost due to the development. But she was told it was intended to retain this building.
The new dwellings, a mix of two bedroom, three-storey apartments and three and four bedroom town houses of two and three storeys, will range along Bewsey Road and around courtyards. About five per cent of them will be classed as “affordable homes.”
There will be landscaping and tree planting to protect the amenity of the new residents and an area of public open space, including a children’s play area.
Planning officers say the development will contribute to the economic and environmental regeneration of a rundown area and could provide a stimulus for further development on the northern edge of the town centre.
A number of nearby residents opposed the scheme and claimed occupiers of the new houses would have to endure noisy, aggressive rugby supporters, rowdyism, fighting, car parking and alcohol related problems.
Hospice wins backing
from the Wolves
WARRINGTON Wolves players have launched a piece of kit with a difference – all in aid of St Rocco’s Hospice.
The St Rocco’s Hospice “Fit to Care” wristbands – printed in the primrose and blue colours of Warrington Wolves – is the latest fundraising initiative to come from the Warrington Hospice.
St Rocco’s Hospice is Warrington Wolves’ chosen charity for the year and the club has given fantastic support to the hospice since the launch of their partnership at the first home game in February.
Joint partnership fundraising events include the children’s training day ‘Run with the Wolves’, a 2006 calendar – out later this year – and the wristbands.
Wolves’ star Martin Gleeson said: “These bands are a fantastic idea. They are very fashionable and at the same time getting the point across about the work that St Rocco’s Hospice does in the Warrington area. I will be showing my support by wearing my band.”
High school pupils’
day in college
by staff reporter
YEAR nine pupils from Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School, Warrington spent an action packed day of fun-filled activities on campus at Priestley College.
Key revision subjects were tackled in the areas of English, Maths and Science as the college’s conference room was turned into a revision centre for the day.
Priestley is always keen to welcome partner schools onto campus and the exercise was just one further example of how the college continues to work in partnership with local secondary schools in order to build strong bonds which are of benefit to the pupils and students themselves.
Pupils from the same school also recently took part in a modern languages event on the Loushers Lane site.
Priestley College principal Michael Southworth said: “We always enjoy meeting pupils from our partner schools and helping them achieve the best they can. The visit gave the pupils the chance to experience a little of the facilities Priestley has to offer.
Stables plan
thrown out
by staff reporter
A PLAN to build stables in Heath Lane, Croft, has been thrown out by a government-appointed planning inspector.
The applicant had lodged an appeal after the borough council failed to determine the application even though planning officers had indicated they were minded to approve it.
But the inspector decided the scale of the building would detract from the openness of the green belt.
A planning department spokesman said stables and similar recreational facilities raised difficult issues for green belt policy. The inspector ruled that the fact there were already existing stables in the area did not mean there should be an exception to the normal presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt.
Busy road will
close again
by staff reporter
PARTS of Wilderspool Causeway in Warrington will close tomorrow (Sunday) for the second week in succession to allow contractors to complete essential works on the busy stretch of road.
The southbound carriageway will be closed from 8am to 5pm while re-surfacing of the carriageway is carried out.
The aim is to reduce impact on traffic during busy periods and to minimise disruption.
A diversion route will be signposted. It involves Wilderspool Causeway, London Road, Grappenhall Road, Chester Road, Knutsford Road, Higher Knutsford Road, Thelwall Lane, Kingsway South, Kingsway North, Manchester Road, Church Street, Mersey Street and vice versa.
Steve Moorhouse of the borough council’s Environment Directorate, said: “We have planned these works carefully so they are carried out at off peak times so that we minimise the impact of the scheme on the travelling public, however, we apologise for any inconvenience these essential works may cause.”
Walking to raise
funds for NSPCC
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of the Croft, Culcheth, Risley and Winwick Committee of the NSPCC take part in a sponsored walk tomorrow (Sunday) to raise money for the charity.
The walk starts from Winwick Leisure Centre at 12 noon and proceeds to Newton-le-Willows and back.
Chairman Barbara Laycock said the walk would be a leisurely one and anyone interested in taking part would be welcome. They committee was also on the look-out for a new treasurer.
