“Auschwitz” homes inquiry
cost council ?109,449
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council has been ordered to pay ?91,733 to a house builder because its refusal to grant planning consent amounted to “unreasonable behaviour.”
In total, the council – which appointed a barrister and consultant to fight its case at a public inquiry – has incurred costs of ?109,449 which can be directly attributed to the appeal, councillors have been told.
Two previous inquiries and an appeal in the High Court have taken place during a seven year battle to block housing development on land at Longbutt Lane, Lymm – but the cost of those hearings is not included in the figure.
The final appeal followed the council refusing detailed planning consent to developers Wilson Connolly – part of the Taylor Woodrow group – on the grounds the houses were too high and would have an unacceptable impact on the street scene.
One councillor described the proposed homes as “looking like Auschwitz.”
But the inspector who conducted the inquiry said the council’s position did not amount to an arguable case, its concerns were not supported by analysis or reasoning.
He said: ?Little consideration was given to the impact of landscaping, the space between existing and proposed buildings and open space within the development.
?Some of the taller buildings about which concern was expressed would only be visible from within the site and no substantial evidence was provided to show how wider views would be affected.?
Overall, he said, the decision to refuse permission amounted to unreasonable behaviour.
Council officers had originally recommended the scheme be approved.
Director of Environmental Services Alan Stephenson said: ?The inspector is unequivocal in his conclusions that the council was unable to substantiate the basis for the decisions to refuse to grant planning permission?
?The inspector?s deliberations on longer distance views of the development clearly demonstrate the weakness of the council?s case in this regard.?
Doctors and patient
in Everest trek
by John Hendon
TWO senior doctors from Warrington Hospital are joining a former cancer patient in a trek up Mount Everest in a bid to raise money for other cancer patients.
Steve Bentley, deputy medical director, and Barry Taylor, cancer lead and surgical consultant with North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, will be raising funds for CANtreat.
The charity was set up by 21-year-old Andrew Gartside who underwent tests at Warrington Hospital during his treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The three men will be part of a 21-strong group aiming to hike up to Mount Everest’s base camp, reaching heights of around 19,500ft, between September 8 and September 24. Proceeds will go towards the charity’s ?1m appeal to enhance the physical environment of cancer treatment areas within the NHS.
Andrew said: “My family and I are from Warrington and I was treated at a number of hospitals in the area. I was given the all clear in April last year and was keen to do something to help as many other cancer patients in the area as possible.
“As North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust treats a lot of cancer patients from all over the region I thought that it would be a good place to start. It has the added bonus of being my local hospital too.”
He added: “When you are receiving chemotherapy half the battle is maintaining a positive attitude, so it really helps if the place where you are being treated is welcoming and homely. The money we hope to raise will go towards improving the physical environment for cancer patients.”
The fundraising team has spent the past eight months preparing for the trip with regular walks across the Lake and Peak District, as well as a gruelling trek to the top of Snowdon in atrocious weather conditions.
Dr Bentley said: “Everyone taking part in the trip is looking forward to the challenge and I would urge people to support us as much as possible in this very worthy cause.
“I have been at the Trust for almost 25 years and Mr Taylor has been here for around 15 years. During that time we have seen and treated many patients with various forms of cancer.
“Keeping positive during treatment is an important part of the process to recovery. Improving the surroundings of where patients are treated can only have a beneficial effect, and Andrew should be commended for his hard work in this area.”
To sponsor Barry Taylor or Steve Bentley visit www.justgiving/bataylor or www.justgiving.com/drstephenbentley Donation cheques, made payable to CANtreat, can also be sent directly to either Steve or Barry at Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, WA5 1QG.
Boules finals day
PETANQUE, or boules ? the French equivalent of bowls ? has been played at the Ring ?o? Bells pub at Stretton, near Warrington for 14 years.
Members turned up in force for finals day in the club?s annual tournament.
Winners were: Ladies doubles: Jean Morgan and Rita Taylor; Mens doubles: David Gill and Paul Hart; Mens singles: Denis Arthur; Ladies singles: Jean Morgan; Mixed doubles: Karen Hart and David Gill; Smart’s Carpets knock-out: Ken Morgan.
Journalist publishes book
of “old fashioned horror”
by Lesley Wilkinson
A FORMER Warrington journalist has edited a book of “old-fashioned, get-under-your-skin tales of terror.”
The First BHF (British Horror Films) short story anthology has just gone on sale and is a tribute to the famous Pan Books Of Horror from the 1960s and 1970s.
It contains 19 stories ranging from modern tales of terror to gothic stories of the supernatural. Many are from new writers who came together through the British Horror Films website www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk
The stories and artwork have been edited by Chris Wood, of Davenham, near Northwich, a former Warrington journalist who created the British Horror Films website.
Chris, who is now a public relations officer for Cheshire Police, won the BBC’s short story competition “End Of Story” in 2004.
“Every story in the book could have been written by a professional writer – the standard is incredibly high,” said Chris.
“Unlike a lot of modern horror, they don’t rely on shock factor to deliver their scares – the stories are old-fashioned, get-under-your-skin tales of terror, but with a modern twist. Think MR James rather than Shaun Hutson, or film-wise, the original Wicker Man as opposed to Hostel,” he added.
He said that since the book was published there has been growing interest and further volumes may be published.
Park users feel “unsafe”
without full-time ranger
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE using Culcheth Linear Park feel “unsafe” since the axing of the full time ranger service.
They claim since the full-time ranger was removed – to be replaced by a visiting ranger from Birchwood – the park has declined.
Gangs of young people are gathering under the bridge smoking, men are “lurking” in the park, cars are being broken into and flooded drains have not been cleared.
Sally Probert, of Heswall Avenue, said: “The area is used by lots of people, dog walkers, cyclists, joggers and children.
“But now there are young people gathering to smoke under the bridge, there are men lurking in the park and a couple of cars parked near the ranger’s office have been broken into and property taken.”
Local women are nervous about visiting the park and are now arranging to visit in small groups to ensure their safety.
A group of park users are writing to the borough council asking for the full-time ranger service to be reinstated.
Dave Stamp, head of parks and green spaces at Warrington Borough Council, said: “We are cu
rrently restructuring the rangers service and will be introducing new ways of working to help with the maintenance of all our parks and green spaces.
“There is a ranger presence at Culcheth Linear Park and if people do have any concerns about the maintenance of the park itself they should contact the team on 01925 443000.?
Church “trash and
treasure” sale
ST Wilfrid?s Church, Grappenhall near Warrington is to hold a ?Trash and Treasure?sale in aid of the Church Tower Fund on Saturday, September 16.
The event will be in the Parish Centre, Church Lane, from 11.30am to 3.30pm and there will be a cake stall, raffle and many bargains on sale. Entrance fee is 50p which includes tea or coffee.
St Wilfrid?s recently held a Bibleathon which raised an amazing ?7,500 for the Church Tower Fund.
[ 01.09.2006, 10:44: Message edited by: DS ]
