New battle over plan
for old fire station
by Terry Johnson
CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a hot food takeaway shop in a century-old disused fire station at Warrington are to come before Warrington planning chiefs a second time.
The borough council’s development control committee has visited the site since the proposals came before them last time.
Developers RF Estates Ltd want to create a new business within the old fire station in Stockton Heath’s village conservation area.
They propose ground and first-floor extensions to the old fire station building – providing hot food facilities and also a financial services use.
A two-storey extension to the London Road frontage would project three metres. A twin-gabled first-floor extension would project over the rear car park.
Stockton Heath Parish Council and residents of nearby East Avenue are hot under the collar about the plans. They say they represent ‘inappropriate over-development’ of the site.
Extending the front of the building would be over-bearing and cause serious damage to the street scene, it is claimed.
And the rear extension would have ‘a massing and overbearing effect’ on East Avenue and residents’ homes.
Extra traffic and parking would add to the problems.
Residents fear a huge increase in smells, noise, litter, car doors slamming, anti-social behaviour and deliveries at unsocial hours.
But local planners say it is not intended to operate a pub or hot food take-away in Stockton Heath’s retail heartland.
Further, it is not considered that residents’ amenities would be harmed.
Committee members will debate the heated issue again on Wednesday night.
Vandals start fire
at village store
by staff reporter
VANDALS struck at a village store near Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
They set fire to newspaper supplements stacked outside Burnett’s Premier Store in Higher Lane, Lymm, starting a blaze which damaged the front of the shop and cut off telephone services.
Fire crews were called to the scene and managed to prevent the fire causing more serious damage to the shop, or a first flat flat where the occupants were asleep.
A spokesman said: “This could have been a much more serious incident.”
It is the third time in recent months that the shop has been hit by vandals or burglars.
On the two earlier occasions, burglars smashed their way in to steal cigarettes.
But since then extensive security measures have been taken, including roller shutters on the door and bars on the window.
It is believed the latest incident occurred some time around 4am, shortly after the newspaper supplements were delivered but before staff arrived to take them indoors.
Clowning around
at Westy Carnival
by Gary Skentelbery
THERE was plenty of clowning around at Westy Carnival as hundreds of pewople entered into the spirit of the occasion.
Barrington the clown took centre stage during the event at Westy Communityt Centre.
Special guests included Warrington South MP Helen Southworth and Deputy Mayor Coun Linda Dirir.
The man who helped instigate the annual event five years ago, local councillor Hans Mundry, missed out on the occasion duing to an engagement with Warrington Male Voice Choir.
There was a fancy dress parade involving local children, music by the warrinton Pipe band and dance displays by the Zarconia Morris Dance Troupe.
Crime scene
investigation
by staff reporter
COLLEGE students are to get the chance to step into the shoes of TV crime scene investigators, Gil Grissoms and Catherine Willows.
The lead characters of the hit forensic science programme, CSI, have springboarded huge interest in micro-investigation.
Now a four-day “taster” course, starting at Warrington Collegiate on Monday, will take students through DNA-profiling, biological techniques, forensic photography and collection of crime scene evidence.
It will be one of a series of “tasters” during the summer to whet interest in the college’s National Diploma in Applied Science(Forensics), which starts in September.
Science programme leader, Sarah McCurrie, said: “The taster gives real insight into the techniques used by scientists in the forensic field and a feel for the National Diploma”.
Places can be booked on 01925-494494.
Elderly put on guard
against doorstep traders
by John Hendon
TRADING watchdogs at Warrington are warning vulnerable, elderly people against being duped by doorstep con-men.
A 90-year-old woman expecting a council workman to visit her Warrington home to fit a grab-rail found herself confronted by an opportunistic trickster who sold her an intercom system for ?40.
The opportunistic salesman gave the impression his company was “connected with the Council” when he visited a development of elderly persons’ bungalows.
His victim’s son said: “My mother is quite easily confused. She was expecting a visit from the council and agreed for this man to do the work.
“I think it wrong that old folk should be exploited like this”.
Principal Trading Standards Officer Edwina Greenwood said: “People should be warned about this doorstep sales technique. Consumers should have the chance to compare prices – and to decided whether they really want what is offered.”
Borough council community executive member Coun Pat Wright, added: “We are most concerned that salesmen are targeting vulnerable people, by using the trusted reputation of the borough council”.
Consumers are warned not to give work to doorstep callers who say residents “have a problem”. If they do want work doing, they should protect themselves by getting several written quotes for the job.
Trees preferred to
homes on heritage site
by Terry Johnson
PLANNERS say they prefer trees, rather than new homes, on an industrial heritage site at Warrington.
If semi-detached houses were built on “overgrown land” at the corner of Greenall’s Avenue and Cooper’s Place, at least two mature trees – the subject of special Preservation Orders – would have to be axed.
These trees, claim town planners, are vital to the “pastoral character” of two-century-old cottages in the shadow of the former Greenall’s Brewery.
They have a strong amenity value and also enjoy TPO protection.
The nearby listed cottages, maintain planners, are architecturally agreeable. Two new semis would produce a clash of building types.
“Compensatory tree planting to the north/ north-easterly side of Greenall’s Avenue has been offered. This would compensate to some extent for the ecological and environmental loss of the trees.”
But the planners add: “Replacement planting would not mitigate against the harm caused to the setting of the listed buildings”.
Development control chiefs, meeting on Wednesday, are being urged the reject the plans.
News in brief
Rising prices
APPLETON Parish Council has decided to end its sponsorship of the traffic island at Owen’s Corner, on the A49 London Road, after being told the annual cost is to rise from ?700 to ?4,000 – plus VAT.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery organised by the Friends of Warrington Hospital were 7, 8, 11 and 14. The ?491 jackpot went unclaimed so will be “rolled over” to the next week and will increase to ?750. The ?25 consolation prize went to Lynne Roberts.
Driving ban
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order introducing a temporary prohibition of driving on Green Lane, Burtonwood, from its junction from Phipp’s Lane to its junction with Lumber Lane. It comes into force on Monday, August 1 and is expected to remain in force for three weeks while road works are carried out.
Shop plan
PLANS to convert a building in Irwell Road, Warrington into an office and shop have been given the green light by t
he borough’s planning chiefs.
[ 03.08.2005, 08:21: Message edited by: DS ]
