PEEL Hall campaigners are hoping ‘common sense prevails’ as a public inquiry into the refusal of 1,200 homes and apartments on the North Warrington site, was officially closed in writing this week after a marathon 113 days.
Inspector Richard Schofield instructed the closure of the Inquiry on Monday of this week.
Campaigner Wendy Johnson-Taylor explained: “The Inquiry opened in April and it was originally listed for ten days, but due to serious doubts cast over Satnam’s submissions, the inquiry has run for a whacking 113 days.
“As the Inquiry closed these doubts still remain, added Wendy. “This hearing has bent over backwards to allow Satnam extra time to provide clarity on a catalogue of significant issues and it appears that it has failed to get its act together. What a waste of taxpayers’ money and council resources.”
The future of the 69-hectare site now hangs in the balance. Campaigners say the Inquiry has magnified a host of ‘poorly evidenced’ serious key respects that could realistically result in ‘unacceptable’ impacts on public health, highway safety and sustainability.
Campaigners say they remain very optimistic that the Inquiry has swayed in their favour.
Another campaigner Ste Dodd said: “We hope that common sense will guide the outcome of the travesty Satnam called an appeal. It was obvious to all that Satnam’s slight of hand was more than a running theme throughout the whole of its failed conjuring trick. The appeal was constantly being presented with outdated, obsolete and misleading information.”
Fellow campaigner Jon Parr added: “Satnam’s unwillingness to be up front and honest was an attempt to mislead residents and the Inspector, I firmly believe Mr Schofield has little option but to recommend refusal.”
Campaigners’ optimism was strengthened on the Inquiry’s final public sitting when a representative of what is now called Warrington’s Own Buses stepped forward to refute Satnam’s claim that it had reached an agreement for provision of a bus service to the development.
“At this point we felt the Inquiry was going our way. It had already witnessed many positive turning points for us, but without doubt this was indeed one of them.”
Meanwhile Wendy explained: “It still remains under a cloud of uncertainty. It appears that Satnam hasn’t been able to produce a firm bus contract and this may be very significant. We have studied recent ‘called-in’ Inquiries that have had bus strategies already in place but there were grey areas attached to them. These have all resulted in dismissal. In the case of Peel Hall, it seems to us that Satnam hasn’t even reached first base. When this information was disclosed, the Inspector said that until he received clarification he ‘would not be satisfied’ on the matter and that it would form a ‘substantial part’ of his recommendation.”
Another Campaigner Dave Sawyer commented: “This development plan is shambolic. When I see good quality houses under threat of demolition and the destruction of our last natural green space for this massive development I am offended. This charade must stop. Residents must be left in peace to get on with their lives safe in the knowledge that this development is never going to happen.”
Furious campaigner Jim Sullivan concluded: “We have faith in the Inspector, he listened to all parties and he didn’t seem willing to accept nonsense. Given that Satnam’s plan really is nonsense we are optimistic he will see through it.
“The appeal process has been long and expensive”. Added Jim: “It could have been briefer and cheaper, if only our council hadn’t included this land in its original PDO. Given the fact that, in two decades ten applications have been refused, and if our hunches are correct this will be the second Government Inquiry that will result in dismissal, it’s clear this land isn’t suitable for mass housing and it should be removed from the town’s land supply at the earliest opportunity.”
The Inspector will now submit his recommendation to The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Mr James Brokenshire. Campaigners say it could take several months before a decision is made on the future of Peel Hall.
Satnam were contacted but declined to comment.
