High rise homes plan
thrown out by inspector
by David Skentelbery
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build high rise homes on the banks of the Mersey at Howley, Warrington has been thrown out by a planning inspector.
The inspector, Paul Griffiths, who conducted a two-day inquiry into the proposals in September, has ruled that the two tower blocks, providing 111 apartments, would dominate the skyline ? ruining views of the impressive spire of historic St Elphin?s Parish Church.
Borough council planners originally refused permission for the development earlier this year after hearing of massive opposition from local residents.
Fairfield and Howley ward councillor Yvonne Fovargue (pictured) who led the campaign against the development alongside Howley Residents Association said she was delighted with the result.
She said: ?This is good news for Howley. The inspector’s report supports the view that this was a development too far and out of keeping with the established patterns of development in the area.
“The inspector made it clear in his appeal decision that the proposed development would ‘have a significantly detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the area and, in particular, it would harm the setting of the Church of St Elphin, a Grade II listed building.
“While we will need to take time to study the appeal decision in detail I have written to council bosses requesting an urgent meeting to discuss a plan for the future development of the river frontage.
“We still face other potential high rise developments in the area but this decision means that we need a fresh approach to the development of the river frontage in Howley. What I would like to see is a partnership approach between the council, local residents and potential developers in the future to look at acceptable forms of development which can command broad community support.”
The two tower blocks would have been up to 12-storeys high and one of the council?s main concerns was that it could set a precedent for similar applications.
But applicants Ascenture Properties argued that the site was allocated for residential use and that the two blocks would be of high quality design, enhancing the skyline. They argued that the properties had been designed to show off the historic church spire.
Market maze proves
a hit with shoppers
by staff reporter
THE latest improvements to Warrington Market really are ?amazing?.
Borough council chiefs have introduced a new feature area to make stalls more visible and enhance market shopping ? complete with its own maze.
The maze is already proving a big hit with children.
Market manager Stephen Pickering said: “When this part of the floor was being tiled it gave us the opportunity to create a maze for a bit of fun.
?So far it has caused a lot of discussion, particularly, about which is the entrance and exit. Should any customer have difficulty finding their way out of the maze market staff will be on hand to show them the way!”
In addition to the maze, the area also benefits from one of four new plasma information screens currently being fitted around the market and a newly improved sound system able to entertain customers with a mixture of sound and vision.
A chance to be a
Formula One driver
by Lesley Wilkinson
YOUNGSTERS who fancy themselves as the next Michael Schumacher can try their skills on a Formula One simulator in Warrington on Saturday.
The Young Driver and Rider event will be held at LA Bowl, Winwick Quay, from 12noon to 8pm.
A simulator that mocks up a formula one circuit is open to the public for free sessions. Each rider can drives two laps – once as normal and then wearing goggles that show the effects that alcohol or drugs have on driving.
To add to the fun there will be a leader board displaying the best lap times and drivers with the quickest times will have the chance to win prizes, including an MOT and service for their car.
Warrington Borough Council’s Road Safety Team has helped co-ordinate the event with Warrington Road Safety Partnership as part of Brake Road Safety Week.
Officers are focusing on young people as they are at a greater risk of being involved in a road traffic collision. They say that inexperience, speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are the main reasons for this.
The day will include a series of other road safety-based activities, including free drinks from a non-alcoholic bar, a chance to join the Institute of Advance Motorists free and a chance to win a driving course.
Coun Brian Axcell, the borough council?s executive member for environment, said: “The Young Driver and Rider event promises to be a fun day, but carries a serious message for all drivers, whatever their age, to take care on the road.
“Many road traffic collisions in Warrington can be avoided by taking extra care and we will continue work towards highlighting this among residents.”
People wanting to use the simulator must prove they are of driving age and must book a slot.
Degrees at the double
for mother and daughter
by staff reporter
THERE will be a double celebration in the household of Bernadette and Sian Williamson at Penketh, near Warrington this Friday (November 10).
For mother and daughter will both be graduating with degrees from the University of Chester.
Mum Bernadette has achieved a BSc in Midwifery while daughter Sian has a BSc in Criminology.
The pair did not choose deliberately to study at the same University. For Bernadette, the choice was down to the NHS; her degree forms part of her career development pathway at Arrowe Park Hospital which has education links with the University of Chester.
For Sian, it was a combination of course content and the chance to live away from home but without travelling too far.
Bernadette, aged 49, is a third generation midwife whose great grandmother, grandmother and two sisters have, between them, brought hundreds of babies into the world.
She said: “I began training as a nurse in 1973 and completed my training in the Royal Air Force which I joined two years later. I guess, at the time, I was trying to be different to my sisters who both worked in civilian hospitals.”
After leaving the RAF in 1980, Bernadette returned to Warrington where she worked as a nurse in an old people’s home while bringing up her three daughters. In 1995, she returned to the NHS and opted to switch to midwifery.
Bernadette’s daughters may not be following in her midwifery footsteps, but second daughter Sian, aged 21, is equally committed to studying in order to progress her career.
Sian is interested in the psychology of criminals and is planning a career in the Prison Service. She chose to take a degree in Criminology in order to understand better the criminal mind and with a view to fast-tracking within the service.
She said: “During my course, I became particularly interested in the work of the Prison Service, both through a tutor who was a former prison officer and through a six-week work placement at HMP Risley, Warrington. Being a prison officer involves a combination of a variety of roles – police, social work and carer.”
Man attacked on
traffic island
by staff reporter
POLICE are seeking witnesses after a man was assaulted on a traffic island at Stockton Heath, near Warrington.
The victim suffered injuries to his face and a wound to the back of his head which required stitches.
He was helped by a woman who happened to be passing and called emergency services on her mobile phone. But she then left the scene and police are anxious to speak to her.
The accident was at the junction of Grappenhall Road and London Road, in Stockton Heath village centre, on Saturday, November 4.
One man has been arrested but released on police bail and police are still seeking further witnesses.
Anyone who can help is asked to call PC Graham Davies on 0845 458 0000.
Binmen call off
second strike
by staff reporter
BINMEN and other environmental service workers at Warrington called off a two-day strike due to have taken place today (Wednesday). The decision to call off the stoppage – which would have been the second in the ongoing dispute with the borough council – was taken at a meeting of the men on Monday evening.
But Town Hall chiefs were not officially informed until late last night (Tuesday).
The dispute is over proposed modernisation of environmental management services – the department which runs the refuse collection service, street cleaning, parks and cemeteries.
Unions claim the changes will result in some workers being ?50-a-week worse off – but the council claims most workers will benefit from improved pay and conditions.
Warning over
doorstep conman
by John Hendon
A WARNING has gone out to pensioners in the Stockton Heath area of Warrington after a bogus water board inspector gained entry to an elderly woman?s home.
The man, wearing navy blue overalls, went to a house in Lime Tree Avenue and told the woman occupant he was from the water board.
He was carrying a pencil and note pad but did not make any notes ? and did not produce any identification.
The woman showed him to the bathroom.
A police spokesman said the warning was intended to alert elderly people in the Stockton Heath area that a doorstep conman might be operating in the area.
Arson attack
wrecks outhouse
by staff reporter
FIRE crews were called to Longford Street, Warrington during the night to deal with a fire involving an outhouse at the rear of a house.
The blaze – which had been deliberately started – involved quantities of rubbish which had been piled up around the building and then set alight.
There was no damage to the house – but fire crews discovered it was not effectively protected by smoke alarms and fitted two new ones as part of the policy of providing free alarms in houses.
