Row as fire control
centre is approved
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING bosses at Warrington have cleared the way for the controversial regional fire control centre at Great Sankey.
Members of the borough council?s development control committee approved plans for the three-storey building on the Lingley Mere Business Park – but only after a row.
There were objections from Great Sankey Parish Council and borough councillor Keith Gleave and from a number of local residents who claimed the new centre would be an eyesore close to residential property.
But Coun Albert Clemow said: ?This will be a flagship building and it will show that the Government is keeping to its word about putting things out in the regions. It?s not just some ramshackle building.? Coun Gleave had argued that the buildings would be too large and too close to a residential area. He expressed fears that traffic would saturate the surrounding road system and there would be too little green space left.
Nearby residents were also worried about traffic, noise and disturbance arising from a 24-hour control centre.
Coun David Earl questioned when the building had to be three storey when there were no other three-storey properties on the site.
Gary Halman, spokesman for the applicants, said the building would be one of nine nationally, all built to the specification of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
?It will be part of the front line critical infrastructure for the North West in the event of a disaster? he said. Details of the interior of the centre could not be revealed because of national security.
Coun Earl said: ?It sounds like an off-the-peg building that could be put anywhere. It won?t be anything like any of the other buildings on the site.
The centre will provide jobs for nearly 160 people, working a three shift system seven days a week. It will replace existing fire control centres in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.
But the centre may still not be built – the Fire Brigades Union is opposing the whole concept of a regional control centre.
Christmas comes early
for town’s hospice
by our correspondent
CHRISTMAS arrived early for St Rocco?s Hospice, Warrington, thanks to Freemasons.
Each year the hospice receives an annual donation from general Masonic funds and this year?s ?2,250 gift was presented to hospice matron Beth Eccles by the chairman of the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges, Ian Boswell.
This latest donation means that support for the hospice from the Warrington Group of Lodges and individual Lodges in the town has topped ?14,300 in the last year. In the seven years that local Freemasons have been supporting the hospice more than ?36,800 has been donated.
In 1999 Warrington Freemasons became the first group to donate ?10,000 to endow a suite when the new hospice was built.
Ian Boswell said: ?This is the particular time of the year when everyone enjoys giving presents and Freemasons are delighted to be able to hand over this latest gift to the hospice. It is another small token of our appreciation for the invaluable work done by St Rocco?s Hospice every day of the year.?
Beth Eccles said: ?At this time of year there are many calls on everyone?s finances so such a large donation is particularly welcome. It is an early Christmas present for the hospice. Over the years we have received tremendous support from the Warrington Group of Freemasons. To have donated nearly ?37,000 in less than seven years is a magnificent achievement.?
The ?14,700 presented in the last 12 months is the result of a sponsored walk between hospices throughout the Masonic Province of West Lancashire, of which Warrington is a part; a fund-raising dinner; a sponsored bike ride; annual donation from the Grand Charity; a Gentlemen?s Evening and individual donations from Red Rose Lodge, Travellers Lodge, Gilbert Greenall Lodge, the Lodge of Lights and Newton Lodge.
There are 23 Lodges in the Warrington Group who meet at the Winmarleigh Rooms, Winmarleigh Street.
Village must wait for
power line decision
by David Skentelbery
LYMM must wait to discover whether an overhead power line is to be permitted through one of its last remaining unspoiled rural areas.
Warrington planners have resolved to oppose the proposed 132kv line crossing the east side of Lymm through land north of Wet Gate Lane to south of Higher Lane.
But the final decision will be made by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Borough council planning officers had recommended no objections be raised to the scheme which is said to be vital to meet increased demand for electricity in Mid-Cheshire. But members of the development control committee decided to object after hearing of objections from Lymm Parish Council and local residents.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt described the plan as ?nothing short of desecration.?
She said the proposals had first been put forward in March 2003 and at that time the line would have run through Spud Wood and Lymm High School playing fields. Amended proposals were little better, however.
?The proposed route runs through the middle of what is literally the last unspoiled rural area left in Lymm,? she said. ?To run this line through open countryside is nothing short of desecration.?
Coun Woodyatt said alternative routes were available but apparently been ruled out on cost grounds.
?But what price can one put on our precious rural environment?? she asked.
Residents? spokesman Paul Lockett said the posts carrying the line would be 49ft high, which was higher than local tree tops. They would cross open pasture land, woodland and footpaths used by walkers and horse riders. It would also run within 40ft of houses.
Stephen Edwards, for Scottish Power Manweb, said: ?We wouldn?t be doing this if we didn?t have to. Last January there was an incident when the supply to East Cheshire nearly broke down. We are running very close to capacity.?
He said other routes had been examined, as had placing the cable underground. But all had technical problems and would be more costly. An underground cable would have enormous maintenance problems. However, some lower voltage cables in the Lymm area would be placed underground.
The cable would be 13 miles long in total, running also through parts of Macclesfield, Vale Royal and Trafford. But Coun Celia Jordan said|: ?None of the other areas would be affected as much as Lymm.?
Council rejects
police merger
by John Hendon
PROPOSALS by the Home Secretary to reorganise Cheshire Constabulary have been rejected by Warrington Borough Council.
All three political groups joined forces to condemn the proposals, which councillors believe would have a significant impact on police in the town Council are being consulted on government plans for the re-organisation, which propose that Cheshire Constabulary merges with either Merseyside or Greater Manchester Police.
Coun Mike Hannon, executive member for Safer Communities moved the motion together Tory leader Coun Keith Bland, and Coun Ian Marks, leader of the Liberal Democrats. The motion was seconded by Coun John Joyce, leader of the council.
The council unanimously agreed on four key points:
The primacy of locally based and locally accountable policing must be enhanced and protected by any higher level re-organisation of police forces
The Home Secretary’s preferred options for the North West region will not enhance and may not protect locally based and locally accountable policing
The opportunity for thorough and timely consultation and discussion of this vital subject has not been afforded
It is therefore not possible for this Council to make a considered judgement as to which proposal would properly reflect the legitimate interests of Warrington.
Coun Hannon said: “While we acknowledge the need to improve policing in the North West, protecti
ng the interests of the people of Warrington has to be our main priority and our concern is that any merger will result in the loss of local policing for the borough.”
Coun Bland added: “This is an important issue for the region and we believe that local authorities are not being given enough time to carry out a detailed consultation with stakeholders and to find out what the public wants.”
Cllr Marks said: “The seriousness with which we view this issue is clearly shown by the way all three parties have come together to unanimously reject the proposals.”
Last poetry night
of the year
by staff reporter
POETRY lovers everywhere are invited to the last poetry evening for the year at Warrington Central Library and Museum tonight (Friday).
People are invited to go along and read their own poems or just sit back and listen to others from 7pm to 9pm.
There is free admission, free refreshments and there is limited car parking on Museum Street.
The poetry evenings will be returning next year and taking place on the first Friday of every month between 7pm and 9pm at the library.
For more details ring Wendy Molyneux on 01925 442732 or 07730 075966.
New software will help
treat drug addicts
by business staff
PATIENTS being treated for substance abuse will benefit from new software being launched by a Warrington company next year.
The software has been developed to help clinicians treating patients with a drug or alcohol addiction and will dramatically improve care services.
The software will include a range of functions such as:
A prescribing module for Class A Controlled Drugs.
Comprehensive treatment planning covering Titration, Reduction strategies, Detox and Standard Plans.
Specialists from across the NHS have helped create the tailor-made software which has been developed by Strand Technology.
“This has been a fascinating and rewarding project,” said Chris Tyler, the firm?s technical director.
“Having worked with hundreds of clinicians within the NHS Mental Health sector over the past 13 years, we recognise there is an overlap in care for patients suffering drug and alcohol addiction.
“We understand the complicated issues encountered by people working in this area and have developed software to meet the challenges they face.”
The software includes a full range of assessment and outcome tools from Triage through to Full Assessment, Reassessment and Standard Outcome Measures suitable for Community Drugs Teams.
Strand has also developed a specialist Needle Exchange module for community teams who manage semi anonymous exchange programmes for drug users.
