D-Day for school
demolition plan
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE controversial plan to demolish Stockton Heath Primary School to clear the way for a new, larger school comes before Warrington planners tonight (Thursday).
It will be considered at a special meeting of the borough council’s development control committee.
The action group fighting the demolition proposal will be sending a delegation to the Town Hall meeting.
Action group chairman Richie Wells said: “The council is just trying to give us a cheap replacement building that is not going to enhance my children’s education to any extent. The existing, structurally sound, building can produce the same results but they have never intended to do this.
“We agree that the outbuildings need to go and be renewed, but the way they are doing it is a complete waste of money and is not environmentally sound.”
The committee has already turned the demolition plan down once, in March last year.
Campaigners collected a petition signed by more than 5,000 people, including 2,642 who live within a mile of the site, to have the existing building restored.
Mr Wells said the new plans were of “lower specification” than those rejected last year – a fact which he attributed to cost cutting.
The action group is supported by the Victorian Society which has lodged an objection on the grounds the school is a “sound, viable and much-loved building” and adds much to the character of the local area.
Mr Richie said his group’s main concern was the children’s welfare and education. They felt there was already a high standard of education at the school.
Meanwhile, the recently formed Stockton Heath Alternative Residents’ Council (SHARCS), which also opposes the demolition plan has confirmed that it intends to oppose two Liberal Democrat borough councillors at the borough elections in May.
Chairman Patrick Mullee – who resigned his seat on Stockton Heath Parish Council over the issue – said the aim was to “sweep away” local representatives who would not listen to local people.
The two councillors the group are targeting are deputy Mayor Celia Jordan and long-standing Stockton Heath representative Sue Dodd.
Planning officers are recommending that the demolition and re-build plan is approved.
Labour chief seeks
advice – from Lib Dems
by David Skentelbery
LABOUR deputy leadership hopeful Harriet Harman is seeking advice on how to give the Party a sharper focus in Local Government – from the Lib Dems and Tories at Warrington.
She has drafted a paper on her ideas and sent it to Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat leader of the borough council.
“I haven’t published the paper yet as before I do I would appreciate any comment you may have,” she writes.
“I would be happy to come and talk with you and your group if you would like to discuss this.”
She says she wants to ensure a proper focus on Labour in Local Government during the forthcoming elections for Labour’s new leader and deputy.
“The Party needs to recognise the importance for Labour of the council elections across the country this coming May.”
Coun Marks said: “I am flattered that a would-be deputy leader of the Labour Party has come to us for advice. One piece of advice is that it might be a good idea for her researchers to do a better job in finding out which parties are running particular councils!”
He has replied to Ms Harman with a tongue-in-cheek invitation to one of the joint group meetings the Lib Dems hold with the Conservatives who have shared control of Warrington Council for the last nine months.
New plan for
village shops
by David Skentelbery
NEW plans have been submitted for the demolition of a house in the historic heart of Lymm village, near Warrington, to make way for shops and flats.
Property developers who have acquired the site at the corner of Pepper Street and Rectory Lane, have revised their earlier proposals for a three-storey block of three shops and six apartments.
Now they are suggesting a two storey building consisting of three shops and three apartments.
A public inquiry is, however, still pending on the original scheme which was turned down by the borough council.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: ?The scheme has been scaled down, but it is still a meter higher than the existing house and a lot bigger.
?It would still dominate the historic Lymm Cross and would, in my opinion, be totally unsuitable for the location and would have a detrimental impact on the Lymm Conservation Area.?
The original proposals met with strong opposition from residents, shopkeepers and the parish council.
One of the main objections related to traffic and parking as the junction is already congested at peak times and it is difficult to see how adequate facilities could be provided for delivery vehicles servicing the new shops.
It is likely that if the new, smaller scheme was approved by planners, the appeal against refusal of the earlier scheme would be dropped and the public inquiry cancelled.
Council must pay costs for
“unreasonable behaviour”
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON Borough Council has been ordered to pay costs following its defeat in the long running planning battle over an 80-bedroom hotel and Burtonwood heritage centre at the Gulliver?s World theme park.
The inspector who dealt with the appeal following the council?s decision to refuse planning permission has approved an application by the developers for costs on the basis of the council?s ?unreasonable behaviour.?
Members of the council?s development control committee threw out the plans against the advice of their officers.
As a result, the appellants claimed they had been put to unnecessary expense.
The inspector accepted that the council is not bound to follow the advice of its officers, but said if it did not do so it should show reasonable grounds for not doing so.
He said no substantial evidence was produced in proofs of evidence nor at the inquiry to support the reasons for refusal.
The inspector ruled that wider undeveloped spaces ? Sankey Valley, Ladies Walk Wood and Bog Wood – together provided a visual break as they separated development from the theme park site. Some of this wooded area would screen the appeal site from residential areas to the south and west.
He said the development would be sufficiently far from nearby houses to avoid unacceptable levels of disturbance.
The level of costs the council will have to pay will be decided following negotiations with the appellants.
The heritage centre will provide a permanent home for the Burtonwood Association museum, which contains hundreds of items relating to the history of the Burtonwood Air Base.
At present the museum is housed in temporary accommodation at Gulliver?s World. But it is expected work will start on the heritage centre in the spring.
Woman attacked by
thug on mountain bike
by staff reporter
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenage thug tried to rob a woman as she walked along Padgate Lane, Warrington.
The 41-year-old woman was approached from behind by a youth in his late teens riding a mountain bike, near the junction with King Edward Street.
He made a grab for her shoulder bag, pulling her to the ground. But she hung on to the bag and the offender cycled away after swearing at her.
The woman suffered bruising and cuts to her face.
Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any information should call DC Helen Ratcliffe on 01244 615859.
The offender is described as about 5ft 8 inches to 6 ft tall, of slim to medium build and wearing a navy blue baseball cap, dark jacket and jeans.
Olympic cyclist
to visit school
by staff reporter
OLYMPIC cycling medallist Bryan Steel will visit a Warrington school on Monday (Feb 5) as part of a project to inspire young peo
ple through sport.
He will address pupils at William Beamont Community High School and Specialist Sports College. He will talk about competing in events, training and how sport has changed his life.
His visit is part of Living For Sport, a national initiative organised by the Youth Sport Trust in partnership with BskyB.
Bryan is part of a team of champion sportspeople who visit schools throughout the country to help engage young people aged 11 to 16 with more areas of school life and to help them reach personal goals.
Bargains for
book lovers
by Lesley Wilkinson
LITERATURE lovers have the chance to snap up a bargain when a book sale bonanza is held at Warrington Central Library and Museum.
The sale is from 9am to 3.30pm on Saturday February 10, Monday 12 and Tuesday 13.
A range of bargains will be on offer, including withdrawn library books. Prices start from 10p and the sale will include hardbacks, paperbacks, textbooks, children’s books, CDs and videos.
Staff are also inviting booklovers to visit the museum next door where Meadowlands, an exhibition by artist Ruth Moilliet, runs until Saturday February 3.
It features giant installations of stunning two-metre-high glass flower presses and explores more than 20 flowers and seeds of wild flowers.
