Hospital waste plant
back in melting pot
by David Skentelbery
PLANS for a multi-million ? hospital waste processing plant on land off Winwick Road, Warrington ? first put forward nearly eight years ago ? are back in the melting pot after a public inquiry dramatically collapsed.
Warrington Borough Council is seeking costs against applicants Mona Developments after they declined an opportunity to continue with an appeal against refusal of planning consent.
The collapse of the inquiry ? on its third day ? delighted objectors, including the residents of nearby homes.
But it is possible the scheme may be re-submitted which, in the event of another planning refusal, would mean another inquiry.
Coun Mike Hannon, who represents the area on the council said: ?I would hope the applicants will now go away and decide to build their plant somewhere else.
?It?s almost eight years since they first put forward proposals for the site and they still can?t proceed.
“The whole street scene in the area has changed – it is no longer an industrial area. But they may well try again.?
Residents of the Orford, Longford, Bewsey and Dallam areas ? who claimed the development would be only 160 yards from hundreds of houses ? have fought a long battle to block the proposals.
If built, the plant would handle up to 10,000 tonnes a year of clinical waste from hospitals, clinics, dental surgeries, vets, etc across the North West.
Plans for larger project were approved some years ago following an earlier public inquiry. But development never started because the borough council refused to sell part of the site which is in council ownership.
The new proposal had been scaled down so it could be accommodated on part of the site which is privately owned.
But the appeal collapsed when it emerged during the hearing that two of the four different types of waste to be dealt with are now classed as hazardous, due to a change in EU regulations.
The inspector ruled that he could not continue hearing the appeal because it referred only to non-hazardous materials.
He offered the appellants the opportunity to continue with the appeal on the two remaining ?non-hazardous? materials, but they decided to withdraw the appeal.
The inspector will now formally dismiss the appeal and consider the borough council?s application for costs.
Mona Developments can now appeal to the High Court ? or resubmit plans.
But local councillor Kate Hannon said: ?There will be even more objections if they apply again, because of the materials which are now classed as hazardous.?
Historic Slitting
Mill reopens
by Gary Skentelbery
A VILLAGE’S historic “Slitting Mill” has “re-opened” following archaeological excavation and works to make it more accessible to the public.
The mill at Lymm near Warrington dates back to the 18th century when it produced cut iron bars and it is considered one of the best surviving examples of the industry in Britain.
The excavation has helped interpret the remains of the mill and uncover more about it’s history, which visitors can read about on new information panels.
An archway at the top of a bywash channel which was a feature of the original building has been restored and parts of the mill have been left open, so it is on view to the public as much as possible.
The improvements also include better access from the north and south entrances to Slitten Gorge and measures have been put in place against flooding.
The excavation and improvements are part of the Lymm’s Life Project and funded by a Heritage Lottery grant. The project has been managed by Warrington Borough Council’s Parks and Green Spaces Service, with a number of organisations, including the Lymm Environment and Heritage Group, Lymm Parish Council, Oxford Archaeology North, Lymm and District Local History Society, Carr Humphries Architecture, and Cheshire County Council Historic Environment.
The mill will feature in events during Lymm Festival in early July and more information can be found in a new booklet on the mill and local slitting industry, produced by Oxford Archaeology North as part of their archive work.
For details contact local Ranger Tim Baker on 01925 758195.
“Wonderful” volunteers
praised at award ceremony
by Lesley Wilkinson
VOLUNTEERS from Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) were honoured when they took part in a Volunteer Awards ceremony at the Village Hotel, Warrington.
The volunteers were congratulated by The Mayor of Warrington and her Consort, Coun Linda Dirir and her husband Allin, as part of a ceremony hosted by Volunteer Centre Warrington.
Awards recognised volunteers who had achieved 100 hours or more of volunteering, and those who have completed accredited courses for volunteering. Taking part were 24 different organisations.
The Mayor said: “This is a special room full of wonderful people. We are very proud of the tremendous amount of voluntary work that is taking place in Warrington.”
Karen Burman, award scheme co-ordinator at the Volunteer Centre, said, “Volunteers give so much time and energy into helping others and don’t often get the recognition that they deserve.”
Jayne Horton, operations manager for WDP, said: “Volunteering at WDP comes in many guises. All of our trustees are volunteers working behind the scenes at home during evenings and weekends, most of our paid staff work volunteer hours outside of their contracted hours.”
She also praised volunteers who help with other WDP projects including fundraising, information stall and other services.
Council plan to end
“conflict” on footpaths
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs are to be asked to approve a plan to improve Warrington?s footpaths, cycleways and bridlepaths – and sort out conflicts between their various users.
?User conflict? has been identified as a major problem during the production of the borough?s Rights of Way Improvement Plan? (ROWIP).
The plan, produced for the borough council by consultants, says user conflict has been a theme throughout a lengthy consultation process with users, focus groups, etc.
?It is clear that there are some major problems between user groups on the rights of way network. Some are potentially serious and others are more about poor perception and misunderstanding, but all detract from the quality of the experience on rights of way and therefore it is important to take action.?
Councils are required to prepare a ROWIP under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act and Warrington started work on its plan in late 2004. Consultants were appointed in February the following year and identified three main themes.
While the rural walking network appeared substantially complete, the standard of maintenance was a major issue, particularly for the disabled. Also, the horse-riding network was very fragmented and, in some areas, non-existent.
More information was needed to increase public awareness and enjoyment of the rights of way network.
A lack of co-ordination between directorates in the borough council resulted in walking, cycling and horse-riding being fragmented between different departments, causing confusion for the public.
Main issues for the various user groups were:
Walkers: maintenance of existing paths more important than creating new paths.
Cyclists: Making on-road cycling safer more important than creating off-road ?greenways?.
Horse riders: Not enough provision for them ? particularly in the Croft, Culcheth areas.
Disabled users: Path maintenance, stiles, gates, safety and security.
Young people: Security, particularly in urban areas, and the use of paths by motorcyclists.
The final plan has now been completed, covering the period up to 2011. About ?106,000 has been budgeted for the current year, but the consultants warn there is a risk that without increased funding it may not be possible t
o deliver the plan in full.
MP champions rights
for working parents
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is promoting new rights for working parents and carers due to be introduced from April 1.
The MP is also campaigning for the rights to be extended.
Two key new rights are – paid maternity leave rising from the current six months to nine months and working carers having the right to request flexible working.
The MP (pictured) said she was pleased with the introduction of new rights to help those groups to balance work and life.
She said: “The extension of paid maternity leave offers new mums much needed time at home with their babies and the right will also apply to parents adopting children.
“I am also very pleased that the government has recognised the important yet difficult job that the army of working carers perform. They have some of the most acute working time issues and this new right will be a big help to them. I am now asking employers in Warrington to look favourably on any requests for changes in working hours that come from carers that they employ.”
She is campaigning with shopworkers union Usdaw for the right to request flexible working to be extended to all workers. She has tabled a Parliament motion on the issue.
Fire alert at
shopping centre
by staff reporter
FIRE crews were called to Warrington?s flagship Golden Square shopping centre when fire broke out within the roof decking of a new extension currently under construction.
Two fire engines from Warrington, one from Birchwood and a hydraulic platform from Stockton Heath were involved in the operation.
Contractors working on the extension were evacuated from the building for a short time but there was no danger to the existing shopping mall nor to shoppers so no general evacuation was necessary.
Sixteen firefighters attended the incident.
In a separate incident, fire crews went to the Memphis Belle pub in Westbrook Crescent, Westbrook, Warrington after smoke detectors activated an alarm. But the fire, involving a light fitting, was out by the time firefighters reached the scene.
Agency picks up awards
for investing in its people
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON-based agency is celebrating receiving the Investors in People award.
Groundwork Mersey Valley won the business improvement award – which focuses on improved performance, realising objectives and good management and training of staff.
Executive director Derek Robertson said: “We’re going from strength to strength. Working in the local areas of greatest need we are developing innovative projects and bringing in the funding to deliver them – in partnership with local people and partner agencies.”
Referring to the award he added: “For Groundwork that means developing projects that help improve the lives of local people – and value for money for our public and local authority partners.”
Groundwork was established six years and delivers practical regeneration work throughout Warrington and Halton, including projects such as a community orchard, gardening and allotment schemes, and healthy walks programmes.
Road works will mean
temporary closure
by staff reporter
AN order is to be made for a series of temporary restrictions on the A57 Manchester Road, Woolston, near Warrington while major resurfacing work is carried out. The work is due to start on April 13 and is expected to last about three months. In addition to temporary prohibitions of driving, there will be a temporary 50mph speed limit at times when the road is open, and a temporary ban on right turns. Access will be under the control of the contractor and diversions will be signposted.
News in brief
“Noise buffer”
refused at club
A TOWN centre nightclub which recently lost its music and dancing licences because of neighbours? complaints of a noise nuisance has been refused permission for a ?noise buffer.?
Club Casi, in Mersey Street, Warrington, sought planning consent for a extension to its entrance to provide additional fire doors, noise buffer and ramped access. But borough planners have rejected the scheme.
Office facelift
PLANS to refurbish Priestley House office block, in Arpley Street, Warrington, including a proposed roof extension have been given the go-ahead by planning bosses. But the erection of two non-illuminated banners outside the building have been rejected.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 7, 9 and 14 – but there was no winner and the ?635 jackpot prize will be rolled over to next week. A ?25 consolation prize was awarded.
Children’s nursery
A PROPOSED change of use of two adjoining properties in Wilson Patten Street, Warrington to a children?s day nursery has been given the green light
