Tower block flats
rejected by planners
by David Skentelbery
CONTROVERSIAL proposals for multi-storey apartment blocks on the banks of the Mersey at Howley, Warrington have been thrown out by planning chiefs.
Members of the borough council?s development control committee voted 9-1 to refuse planning consent for two blocks ? one soaring 12 storeys high ? of 111 apartments off Howley Lane.
They feared the application by Ascenture Properties would set a precdent for future developments in the area, with tower blocks radically changing one of Warrington most historic landscapes.
Jubilant residents ? who had fought the proposals from when they were first announced ? celebrated after the decision.
Local councillor Yvonne Fovargue spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting.
Afterwards, she said: “Naturally, I am delighted that fellow council members agreed with local residents and ward councillors in refusing this application.
“There is no doubt in my mind that if this application had succeeded the landscape of Howley would have been changed for the worse. In that sense the refusal clearly tells the developer that local people cannot and should not be ignored in the planning process.
“The message from this decision is that 12 storey apartment blocks are simply not acceptable in the town. There is no doubt in my mind that the profit motive of the developer took precedence over any consideration for the area, its people and history.”
Officers had recommended the scheme be approved ? despite admitting that it was likely the decision would be interpreted as a ?steer? from councillors as to whether multi-storey development would be acceptable in other nearby areas.
Benefits advice experts
scoop extra ?227,000
BENEFITS advice officers at Warrington have secured an extra ?227,956 for older people in Warrington over the last five months.
The 60-plus Benefits Advice Service run by Golden Gates Housing secured the money for people who sought their advice during the first five months the service was in operation.
Coun Pat Wright, the borough council?s executive member for community services, said: ?This service is making a real difference to the lives of elderly people in Warrington.?
The service offers free pensions and benefits advice to anyone in the Warrington area.
Manager Stephen Jackson said: “Anyone over 60 can ring us free on 0800 195 9195 and we will arrange for a friendly advisor to call round or we will arrange an appointment at one of our local surgeries.?
Golden Gates Housing, formed in February 2004, manages 9,300 homes on behalf of Warrington Borough Council.
Residents can help end
motor bike menace
by John Hendon
RESIDENTS hold the key to solving the problem of speeding motor cycles on estate roads at Birchwood, Warrington, according to police.
If they will name and shame the riders, warnings can be issued ? and if offending continues bikes can be confiscated.
Police Community Support Officer John Pitchford has already started issuing warning notices to some of the culprits, informing them that if their behaviour continues they could face losing their bikes.
He said: “I believe local residents hold the key to identifying these youths and I’m urging them to come forward and give us names. We need this vital information to get these bikes off the streets and to put a stop to this type of anti social behaviour.” Nuisance riders have been speeding around the streets and estates of Birchwood for several weeks on scooters, mini motorbikes and quad bikes.
Angry residents fear accidents ? and are fed up with the noise and inconvenience.
PCSO Pitchford is now appealing to local residents to help police by naming those responsible for the anti social behaviour.
As soon as the Community Action Team has the names they can begin the process of issuing further warning notices and then confiscation notices.
Offenders who choose to ignore the police warnings will incur a ?125 release fee to get their bike back, plus a ?25 a day storage fee if the vehicle is left uncollected for a period of time. Officers will also consider taking other action if any highway offences have been committed.
Residents can leave information on the Community Action Team voicemail. Tel: 0845 458 6390 and an officer will return their call, or alternatively they can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on: 0800 555 111.
PCSO Pitchford added: “We have already had some success with identifying who is responsible. But we need the help of local people to tell us what they know so that we can target the rest.”
Inquiry into fire control
centres welcomed
by David Skentelbery
THE Fire Brigades Union has welcomed an announcement of a wide-ranging inquiry as an opportunity to examine Government plans to set up regional emergency fire control centres ? one of which would be at Warrington.
Union chiefs will respond to all aspects of the inquiry but focus attention on the controversial plans to shut every emergency fire control and replace them with eight regional centres.
The union called on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ? which is holding the inquiry – not to bind the Government to further major spending on the control project until the inquiry has concluded.
But the Government should press on with establishing a new radio system for the fire service as long as it is safe, works well and is cost-effective, the union adds.
FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “We’re pleased with the announcement and look forward to giving evidence to the wide-ranging Select Committee inquiry. We will focus attention on the controversial plans for fire control rooms.
“It’s important that local fire authorities are frank and open in their evidence to the committee because many of them have serious doubts about these plans. The Government plans have little support within the fire service.
“There are question marks over the massive ?1 billion plus costs and whether the plans will work at all. There are dangers that council tax will be pushed up or the frontline fire service cut to pay for cost over-runs on the communications system.
“Government has an appalling track record in major projects like this. It is one of the most complex projects ever attempted and if they get it wrong then lives will be put at risk.
“The priority is actually establishing a new national radio system and providing proper incident level communications. Regional controls are a distraction from the real issues about how the fire service must respond to major incidents.”
The Warrington centre, which would open in 2008, would be at the Lingley Mere Business Park at Great Sankey.
It would be staffed by personnel transferred from existing control centres in Winsford, Swinton, Bootle, Preston and Cockermouth, although some new jobs would be created.
Volunteers wanted for
community survey
by John Hendon
VOLUNTEERS are needed to carry out a survey in Bewsey, Warrington, to help secure funds for a new community facility.
Bewsey Residents and Tenants Association has been given a grant from the Warrington Coalfields Scheme to carry out the survey.
The aim is to find a suitable location for a new centre as Bewsey Lodge Community House is closing because it cannot improve access to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The grant will be given in two stages, firstly to train local people to carry out the survey professionally.
Training will include how to put a questionnaire together, how to consult people, how to put information together and draw conclusions from the answers, how to publicise group activities and how to get it right.
Everything will be covered in three sessions totalling six hours and the survey will be carried out in late January.
There must be enough volunteers to carry out the survey in order to secur
e the second part of the grant, ?41,600, which will be put towards creating a new, improved community facility. Sure Start, the Youth Service, Golden Gates Housing, and local councillors have also offered their support to help with the new facility.
Coun Pat Wright, the borough council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “Training is happening now and we need more people to join us. It is essential that we have enough local volunteers to help with this project to ensure we gain the second part of the grant – so we need your help to make it happen in your community.”
Anyone interested should call 01925 232030.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 6, 8 and 12 – but there was no winner. The ?500 jackpot will now be “rolled over” to next week. There were two winners for the ?25 consolation prize, B Eaden and S Dykes.
No U-turns
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order prohibiting U-turns in Newton Road, Winwick, at the junction with Delph Lane. It comes into effect on Monday (November 14) and anyone wishing to object must apply to the High Court within six weeks of November 3.
Road closure
A TEMPORARY road closure is to be introduced in Charon Way, Westbrook, Warrington from December 1 to allow repairs to be carried out to a manhole. It is expected the closure will be for two days, between 10pm and 6am.
Extension approved
PLANS for a part two-storey, part single-storey extension at Grappenhall Video, in Knutsford Road, Grappenhall, Warrington have been approved by borough planning chiefs.
[ 14.11.2005, 09:51: Message edited by: DS ]
