Shops plan thrown out in
historic village centre
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have thrown out controversial proposals for shops and flats in a three-storey building overshadowing historic Lymm Cross.
Warrington’s development control committee refused planning consent for the development which would have involved demolition of an existing detached house and the removal of an old, standstone wall.
The scheme, put forward by developers Majornet Ltd, had caused a storm of protest from local people.
There were objections from Lymm Parish Council, the Domville Close Residents Association and more than 35 villagers.
Parish council chairman Pam Marks said the proposed building would be too high, given its close proximity to Lymm Cross.
Historically the house to be demolished was constructed as a condition of the planning consent when Domville Close was built at the rear of the site. This condition was imposed because the cottage that originally stood on the site had been knocked down without permission.
“To allow the demolition of this house will nullify the spirit of that permission,” Coun Marks said.
“This development needs rethinking and a two story sympathetic structure made of local brick and set back from the pavement could be considered.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: “It is an extremely sensitive site and the proposal has caused a great deal of local concern.
“Lymm Cross is a well known landmark and makes the village centre very precious. It attracts many visitors, including artists.
“I do not oppose the principle of development but the present proposal is over large, over dominant and damaging to views of the historic Cross.”
Coun Ian Marks expressed concern at the speed with which the planning application had gone through, in view of its importance. Many local people did not know about it and there appeared to have been no notices on lamp posts as was usually the case.
He said the scheme represented over-development of the site which would have highly detrimental effect on the street scene and would dominate and dwarf the Grade 1 Listed historic Cross only few metres away.
Car parking was already a major problem in the village and the plan had no parking provision for the shops and, more importantly, no provision for delivery vehicles.
The development would change the centre of Lymm for ever more, he added.
Officers had recommended the scheme be approved – and claimed it would enhance the historic village centre.
But the committee disagreed and refused permission.
Legends honoured
by Gary Skentelbery
FOUR former Warrington legends have been inducted into a special hall of fame.
Former scrum-half Parry Gordon, who starred for the Wire in more than 500 games scoring 167 tries and one goal, was on hand to receive his award from Warrington Past Players Chairman Nobby Clarke, during a special sportsman’s dinner at the Tetley Walker Club in the town.
The event, hosted by another Wire great, Kevin Ashcroft, raised more than ?1,600 for the Past Players Association. Guest speakers were England and Derbyshire cricketer Geoff Miller, now an MCC selector and comedian Trevor Wallis from Westhoughton.
Fundraising included a raffle of various items included a signed photo of England Rugby Union star Fran Cotton, donated by another Wire legend Mike Nicholas.
Joining Parry, who starred for the Wire from 1963 to 1981 in the hall of fame, were Albert Naughton, the tough tackling centre signed from Widnes in 1949 for a then world record fee of ?4,600 and George Thomas, a Welsh forward who was signed from Newport in 1903 and holds the record for the most points scored by a forward, when he scored 33 from five tries and nine goals against St Helens in 1909. He was tragically killed in action on the Somme in 1916 aged just 35.
The fourth place went to Mike Gregory who skippered club and country before moving on for a successful coaching career. It is hoped to arrange a special presentation to Mike at the Halliwell Jones at a later date.
Pot fair is back
by popular demand
by staff reporter
BACK by popular demand the Staffordshire Pot Fair is making a welcome return to Warrington.
The fair will be at Warrington Market for one week only from Monday to Saturday April 3-8 and is building on the popularity of the past two years? events.
It will located outside the market and around the Time Square area ? and its traders will bring character and pitching banter to the heart of the town, with plenty of entertainment, craft demonstrations and competitions.
The event, the origins of which are based in medieval trading fairs, presents quality china, porcelain, crystal glass, cookware, figurines and associated items from traditional wooden and canvas pot fair stalls.
Market manager Stephen Pickering said: “I am delighted that this unique show with its special atmosphere is returning to Warrington town centre. Events like this add vitality and interest for our customers, with a corresponding spin-off for the market and for all town centre retailers.
Coun John Morris, the borough council?s executive member for Resources, said: “This is always a popular event and is fast becoming a permanent feature in the tourism calendar for Warrington. With their banter and wide range of items, the traders will create a memorable, lively event for everyone to enjoy and add to the whole visitor experience.”
All set for
beer festival
by Gary Skentelbery
THE 10th annual Beer Festival held at the Grappenhall Community Centre is set to take place on the weekend of May 12 and 13.
Organised at the facility on Bellhouse Lane, Grappenhall, it will include live music on both nights – Umpah music on the Friday and ‘Beer For Breakfast’ on the Saturday.
There will plenty of chance for visiotrs to stretch their vocal chords and join in the brilliant atmosphere the Beer Festival. Both evenings start at 7.30p.m. There will be over 20 real ales and ciders on offer – with free soft drinks for the drivers and wine for the ladies (if they wish).
Organisers advise people to buy tickets for the Friday well in advance as last year it was a sell out and lots of people were disappointed.
Tickets can be bought from the Community Centre or by calling 01925 268633.
The event promotes the Community Centre and raises funds to provide first class facilities for up to 40 user groups including mums and toddlers to indoor bowls, karate to tap dancers and chess to camera club.
Children blamed
for garage blaze
by staff reporter
FIRE crews were called to deal with a blaze involving a derelict garage building in Loushers Lane, Warrington.
Children playing with matches are believed to have started the fire, which involved old furniture stored inside the building.
The building was heavily smokelogged but there was no structural damage. The youngsters had fled the scene by the time crews arrived.
A Fire Service spokesman said: ?These buildings are being pulled down at the moment so no serious damage was caused. But we would advise parents to keep their youngsters away from them.
Last recital of
Spring programme
by Mark Hemmings
WORKS by Beethoven, Hadyn and Schubert will be heard at Walton Hall, Warrington on Saturday April 1.
A group of young musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music, the Martindale String Quartet, will perform in the concluding recital of the Friends of Walton Hall?s spring season.
The recital will commence at 7.30pm and tickets priced ?8, are available at “Best Wishes”, Stockton Heath or on the door. Further details are available on 01925 265146 or 264297.
On Thursday, May 4. The Friends will hold their annual general meeting, at 7.30pm and the evening will include a recital performed by Charlotte Stephenson, mezzo-soprano accompanied by Jonathon Ellis,
piano. Admission is free to members.
Support for
charity groups
by staff reporter
CHARITIES or voluntary groups struggling to raise funds for a specific purpose may be able to get help from Warrington Charities Trust.
The Trust is dedicated to helping small groups in Warrington which find it difficult to raise funds for themselves.
Grants are awarded on a twice-a-year basis and requests must be submitted on the Trust’s application forms.
The next rounds of awards will be made in June and the closing date for applications is May 26.
Grants are only awarded to charities and voluntary groups operating within the borough of Warrington – and only to help funding for a specific purpose.
To receive an application form, telephone 01925 232113.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 4, 11 and 12. No-one won the jackpot which will be rolled-over to next week when it will be worth ?700. The ?25 consolation prize was won by “Mr Bostock”.
Driving ban
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order temporarily prohibiting motor vehicles and pedestrians from using Bewsey Street, Warrington from Thursday March 23 for about eight weeks while structural maintenance work is carried out on the railway bridge.
Road closure
WARRINGTON Road, Lymm will be temporarily closed from Sunday, March 26 for approximiately one day while maintenance work is carried out on telecommunications equipment. An alternative route involving the A56 Stockport Road, Camsley Lane, Booths Hill Road, Eagle Brow and Whitbarrow Road will be signposted.
Gate plan
PLANS for a gate in the existing fence at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Hillock Lane, Woolston, Warrington have been given the green light by borough planners.
