Angry councillor fails
to block golf plan
by David Skentelbery
A GOLF driving range that was built too wide, too long and too high is to be allowed to stay unchanged – despite a furious outburst from an angry councillor.
Warrington borough council’s development control committee voted 8-3 to grant retrospective planning consent for the True Fit Golf driving range in Widnes Road, Cuerdley.
The committee had previously granted permission for the range, adjacent to the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station.
But members were told it had been built 7.5 metres longer than the approved length, its width had been increased by between 15 and 20 metres and its height by 1.5 metres.
An angry Coun Albert Clemow said: “We did not agree that this range should be longer than approved. We did not agree to it being wider. We did not agree to it being higher.
“The developer has made mistakes and should be made to pay for them.”
He proposed that the plan be refused.
Local councillor Linda Dirir said the driving range was causing light pollution which could affect passing traffic at night. If its height was reduced, the pollution would be less.
She believed the application should be refused and enforcement action taken.
Penketh Parish Council lodged objections and Daresbury Parish Council expressed concern that the glare of the driving range lights could be seen as far away as Whitley and Barnton, near Northwich. Light pollution in Daresbury itself was “considerable.”
Twenty seven nearby residents had also complained.
But the committee was advised it could not refuse permission simply because the driving range had been built too big. They had to decide whether they would have given permission had the larger dimensions been applied for in the first place.
Officers did not believe the larger size had made any significant visual impact.
A spokesman for True Fit Golf said the increased size was necessary to provide access for disabled children in wheelchairs. If the size was reduced, a facility for the disabled would be lost, the driving range would have to close for a time and there would be a delay in construction of adjoining nine-hole golf course.
Coun Clemow said raising the issue of the disabled was “extremely distasteful.” But the committee voted 8-3 to allow the amended driving range to stay in place.
Consultant toasts
move into town
by John Hendon
ATKINS, the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in Europe, toasted 20 years in the North West – and its recent move to new premises in Birchwood Park, Warrington.
Senior directors, staff and more than 100 guests and clients attended a cheese and wine tasting at which Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the North West Development Agency (NWDA), was guest of honour to perform the official opening with Atkins chief executive, Keith Clarke.
Mr Broomhead said: “I was pleased to attend this event to mark Atkins’ move to Birchwood Park and would like to congratulation the company for achieving 20 years in England’s North West.”
Award-winning Atkins – “Consultant of the Year” and ranked in The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Large Companies to Work For – has an annual turnover of ?1.2bn. The business is one of the largest UK employers of professional and technically qualified staff. With around 1,000 staff in the North West, 500 in Warrington alone, it is a key contributor to the region’s economy.
Director John Mercer said: “Professional training and development of our people is key to our success and we are well placed, centrally, in the North West to reap the benefits from the strong academic and learning facilities in the region.”
School gets caning
from a former pupil
by David Skentelbery
LYMM High School has received a caning from one of its own governors – for building an overspill car park without planning permission.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt – a retired primary school teacher and a former pupil at the Oughtrington Lane school – said the school had been “very naughty” in building the car park, with security lights and CCTV, without getting planning consent first.
A retrospective application for permission to build the car park was submitted to Warrington’s development control committee.
The council’s arboricultural officer told the committee construction work had, without doubt, caused serious root severance and compaction to a considerable number of mature trees.
Soil had also been tipped around the bases of many trees which would cause slow suffocation of tree roots, which would lead, in the worst scenario, to the death of the trees.
“This soil needs to be removed back to original levels if any hope of retaining these trees is to be possible.”
Coun Woodyatt stressed that she supported the application for the car park as road safety issues were paramount.
But she added: “It’s just a shame a planning application wasn’t put in first, then these problems would never have arisen.
“The development could have a serious and damaging effect on at least 35 mature trees – some of which were mature when I was a pupil there 58 years ago.
“If we don’t impose conditions to safeguard these trees we will be condoning environmental vandalism.”
The committee approved the plans – subject to conditions that replacement planting and remedial work on affected trees.
Headteacher
in the stocks
by staff reporter
THE village stocks are to be revived at High Legh on July 16 – to help raise money for the village school.
Headteacher Adam Croft is to be placed in the stocks at High Legh Primary School’s annual summer fair and parents and children will be able to pelt him with wet sponges to raise money for school funds.
There will also be a bouncy castle, barbecue, stalls, ice cream and a display of Morris Dancing by pupils.
The event, organised by the Parent-Teacher Association, starts at 2pm in the school grounds.
Firms win workplace
safety awards
by business staff
TWENTY three Warrington firms have received awards from RoSPA – the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents – for their workplace safety records.
Of these, 17 were gold awards – and according to RoSPA they indicate that local bosses are becoming more aware of health and safety in the workplace.
The annual RoSPA occupational health and safety awards are sponsored by global building solutions company Cemex.
Nationwide, more than 1,300 companies have received awards.
RoSPA chief executive John Howard said: “The awards are designed to help managers raise the profile of good health and safety practice in their organisations by celebrating their successful track record.
“They examine whether the employer has a good safety management system in place as well as a good safety record.”
Next year, the awards will have been running 50 years.
Warrington firms receiving gold awards were: AT Group Ltd, Alan **** and Co Ltd, Cape Industrial Services Ltd., CCLRC, D Wardle (Plant) Ltd., Hanson Construction Projects, INEOS Silicas Ltd., Mansell Construction Services Ltd., MWH UK Ltd, RWE Nukem Ltd, Serco Assurancee, Springfields Fuels Ltd, Target Express, United Utilities Service Delivery (three awards), Vertex Data Science Facilities Department and Washington Group International.
Core Utility Solutions Ltd received a silver award, the Boulting Group plc received a President’s award and Atkins Asset Management and Fiddler’s Ferry Power Sttation received an Orders of Distinction. Nexia Solutions received a Research and Development Sector award.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery organised by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 7, 11 and 16. The ?268 jackpot went unclaimed and will be “rolled over” to next week. The ?25 consolation prize went to A McDonnell.
Footpath closure
WARRINGTON
Borough Council is to make an order to introduce a temporary closure of a section of footpath that runs between Viscount Road and an unnamed footpath that runs between Capesthorne Road and Hilden Road, from June 27 for about eight weeks. This is necessary because of the construction of a new boundary wall.
Driving ban
THE A57 Manchester Road, Warrington, from its junction with Cockhedge Green to its junction with Church Street will be closed to traffic from Tuesday, May 31 for about four days while resurfacing work is carried out to the carriageway.
Nursery plan
PLANS to convert offices on the Thelwall Industrial Estate, in Thelwall New Road, Thelwall, Warrington have been submitted to the borough council.
