Village shops plan
set to get go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING officers are recommending that a controversial plan for shops and apartments on a village centre site at Lymm, near Warrington, be given the go-ahead.
The scheme, involving demolition of a detached house at the corner of Pepper Street and Rectory Lane, is strongly opposed by Lymm Parish Council, village shopkeepers and nearby residents.
It involves three shops, each with an apartment above it, on an elevated site overlooking historic Lymm Cross.
Objectors claim there would be serious difficulties servicing shops on such a busy junction because of a total lack of parking facilities.
They also believe the development would overshadow and dominate the centuries old Cross ? a Grade 1 listed building.
An earlier proposal by the same developer envisage a three storey scheme. This was thrown out by borough development control chiefs but the applicant appealed and a public inquiry is pending.
It is thought likely that if the scaled-down scheme is approved, the appeal will be abandoned.
The site is in a conservation area, but planning officers say the existing house is modern in character and does not make a positive contribution to the conservation area.
They argue that a sensitive redevelopment of the site would make a more attractive backdrop to the cross.
Cheshire County Council?s conservation officer says demolition of the house presents an opportunity to improve the corner.
Lymm Parish Council says road safety is a concern with shops being built so close to a dangerous junction. They say there is insufficient off-road parking for delivery vehicles and the design of the building is inappropriate for the village as it would dominate the area around Lymm Cross.
Borough councillor Sheila Woodyatt concedes the application is an improvement on the earlier one but says it is still out of character with the conservation area. The setting of the historic Cross would be ?ruined? she claims.
Coun Woodyatt is unconvinced of the need for more shops in Lymm village and points out that a number of shops have closed recently and are standing empty. There is also no need for the flats.
She believes the retail element of the scheme is a ploy to get round the present moratorium on residential development in Warrington.
Objections have been received from 17 residents or shopkeepers. But four letters supporting the scheme have also been sent in.
Student mentors put
pupils on right track
by John Hendon
UNIVERSITY students at Warrington are steering local schoolchildren towards a brighter future as part of a mentoring scheme.
The aims is to improve examination grades and boost self-esteem.
Pupils at Penketh High School are benefiting from one-to-one meetings with trained student mentors as part of a project which has just been set up at the Warrington campus of the University of Chester.
Student volunteers spend an afternoon a week at Penketh, building a rapport with a selection of pupils to help them reach their full potential.
Mentor co-ordinator Lucy Ashworth said: “It’s great for the pupils because the students provide an objective role model who can approach their situation with a fresh pair of eyes.
“Our feedback shows that the youngsters really value the chance to confide in someone separate from their parents and teachers. In many cases it helps them enjoy school life, improve their exam performance, increase their aspirations and boost their self-esteem.
“The programme in Warrington has great potential and we hope that more schools will come on board in the future.” Lucy hopes the scheme will grow to enjoy the success of its Chester counterpart, which helps more than 150 youngsters at seven participating schools.
Selected by a rigorous application process, student mentors attend an approved training course which is paid for by the university and provided as part of the Aim Higher National Mentoring Scheme.
By building a good rapport with the pupils, the mentors can establish any difficulties they may have, as well as helping with study skills, SATS preparation, GCSE options, and much more.
Lucy continued: “One of the strengths of the mentoring scheme is its ability to root out the underlying problems affecting a pupil’s academic performance and quality of life.
“In very extreme cases, when issues like truancy may be a factor, the pupils often feel comfortable enough to confide in their mentor and work with them and the school to find a solution.
“Our mentors also work with pupils who have ability but need a gentle push in the right direction. In many cases the programme is about helping those who lack a little motivation to work harder and fulfil their potential.”
The mentoring scheme also provides significant benefits for the students, such as expanding their CVs and giving them experience in a challenging environment.
Helen Phillips, deputy headteacher at Penketh High said: “The rewards associated with mentoring are immense for both mentors and pupils. At first pupils may be a little reticent, but very soon both parents and teachers notice a tangible increase in their self-confidence levels.?
Girl, 17, victim
of sex attack
by staff reporter
A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at Warrington – by a man she had met earlier the same night in a club.
The attack took place in a black, sports-type car at the rear of McCauley’s bar in Bridge Street, Warrington.
Police are seeking witnesses as they believe that numerous people probably passed at the time – and that the car alarm may have gone off several times.
The attack took place between 1.50am and 2.30 am on February 14.
The offender is described as being black, aged about 22 and of muscular build. He was wearing a red tee-shirt.
Anyone who can help police with the investigation is asked to call 01244 613824.
Clean Team hits
the road again
THE Warrington Clean Team ? the voluntary group which carries out monthly litter picks across the borough ? has been busy again.
They worked along Cromwell Avenue through Whittle Hall and Westbrook, collecting 18 sacks of litter – including more than 80 supermarket carrier bags.
Founder Coun Trudi Wood said: “This was a more modest pick than our spectacular January pick. We had half the volunteers but still picked around half the amount of rubbish. It just goes to show it doesn’t matter how many volunteers turn up, the litter problem is so huge there is always plenty to go around.
?I was again really encouraged that a member of the public was so inspired by what we were doing that they approached us to join the team!”
The Clean Team will be holding its next litter-pick on Sunday, March 4, tackling waste ground off Wilderspool Causeway and the Swing Bridge at Stockton Heath. Further details are available from Trudi Wood on 01925 790712 or e-mail [email protected]
Woman robbed
of handbag
by John Hendon
A 28-year-old woman was robbed of her handbag at Warrington ? by a woman who jumped out of a passing car and threatened her.
The incident was in Manchester Road, near to the Sainsbury?s petrol station.
Police say the woman was unhurt but was badly shocked by the incident. She lost her shoulder bag, which contained money and other personal possessions.
The woman was walking along the road at about 5.30pm last Friday, February 16, when a white car pulled up alongside her. A woman got out of the car, threatened her with an object she was carrying.
She jumped back in the car, which it is believed was being driven by a man. The vehicle sped off in the direction of the Brickmaker?s pub.
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who can help should call DC Moira Hay on 0845 458 0000.
Man attacked
on own doorstep
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting two men who attacked a Warrington man on his own doorstep.
The victim was left with a broken nose as a result of the attack – and a front window was smashed at his home in Fleetwood Close.
It was on Friday, February 16 that the victim, who was alone in the house at the time, answered a knock at the door. Two men were outside and one asked for “John.” The victim said there was no John at the house and pointed at another house in the street. But the second man struck him a single blow to the face, breaking his nose.
He slammed the door shut and dialled 999 while the two attackers ran off. One was about 5ft 10 inches tall, of stocky build with a round face, dark eyes and dark eyebrows. The other was about 5ft 7 inches tall and slim. Both were in their mid-20s and wearing dark, hooded tops.
Anyone who can help police with their enquiries is asked to call DC Ian Hampson on 01244 613831.
Driver trapped
in wrecked car
by staff reporter
EMERGENCY services were called to Watery Lane, Winwick near Warrington after a motorist was trapped in his car following a collision with a van.
Fire crews used cutting gear to release the man who was taken by ambulance to Warrington Hospital, suffering from head and hip injuries.
It is believed he was not wearing a seat belt.
In a separate incident, two fire engines were called to Davies Avenue, Latchford, Warrington to deal with a kitchen fire caused by an unattended pan on a cooker. The fire was out by the time crews arrived on the scene, but it was discovered no smoke alarms were fitted at the house and firefighters fitted two before leaving.
