Egg production “factory”
arouses anger in village
by David Skentelbery
PLANS for a massive, free range egg production unit, housing 9,000 hens on a green belt site at Croft, near Warrington, are to be put to the borough?s development control committee.
More than 140 local people have lodged objections and there is strong opposition also from Croft Parish Council.
They claim the scale of the development would be inappropriate for the area, that the scheme would generation increased traffic on Spring Lane and that there would be unacceptable noise and odour problems.
The proposals would be a Springfield House Farm, in Spring Lane, Croft.
They involve a 100m by 18m purpose-built building to accommodate three colonies of 3,000 hens ? 9,000 in total. In addition there would be temporary living accommodation for an agricultural workers.
The site is currently open farm land.
Planning officers say the proposed building would have a large footprint but a relatively low ridge height. It would not be intrusive in the landscape from the north and east and there would be scope to provide landscaping to reduce the impact from the south.
Even from the west, which was open, flat agricultural land, the building would have a relatively low profile.
Traffic movement to the site were likely to be insignificant And the noise generated by 9,000 hens was an important consideration, as well as noise from a high-powered ventilation system.
Potentially the proposal could significantly affect the residential amenity of nearby homes as well as wildlife and the ambience of the countryside.
The activity proposed has the potential to give rise to undesirable odours, which could have a detrimental effect on the local environment.
Concerns had been expressed that the proposal did not provide an adequate animal welfare plan, including avian flu contingency proposals. These matters along with vermin, and dead animal disposal were not, however, considered to be land use matters and are not sufficiently relevant to refuse planning permission in the current circumstances.
Nearby residents say the building would be an eyesore, spoiling an otherwise beautiful rural village. Although an agricultural scheme, it was of industrial scale inappropriate in the green belt.
Public health chiefs have drawn attention to an increased risk of bird associated diseases, including avian flu, with two schools and a pre-school nursery within a few hundred yards of the site.
There was also a risk of pollution of nearby streams and over underground water sources.
Brian keeps
on running!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON athlete Brian New is busy limbering up for the longest non stop running race in the country.
The Grand Union Canal Race covers 145 miles starting at 6am in Birmingham on Saturday May 26 and and finishing at Little Venice in London by 3am on Monday May 28.
Around 100 athletes are starting the race over ther Bank Holiday weekend and only half are expected to finish.
Brian, who is a triathlete coach, said: “This is the equivalent of over 5 marathons, through hundreds of canal locks. I am looking for a time less than 40 hours which means finishing before 10pm Sunday.
He is raising money for St.Roccos Hospice in Warrington who cared for his father-in-law before he died of cancer in May last year and St. Josephs Family Centre in Warrington, which provides counselling and assistance to families – specifically counselling for abused children and bereavement counselling for young children.
Last year Brian was presented with the British Triathlon Association North West Coach of the Year Award by Darren Campbell MBE, at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.
The award, voted for by the BTA members, recognised Brian?s efforts and successes with the athletes he has coached.
Brian can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/briannew
Betting shop plan
causes a storm
by John Hendon
PLANS to convert a greengrocer?s shop to a betting office at Fearnhead, near Warrington have caused a storm of protest.
Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council and local borough councillor Colin Oliver have lodged strong objections to the proposal for a corner shop within the Fearnhead shopping centre, off Insall Road.
Main issue for the borough?s development control committee to decide will be the likely impact of the change of use on the vitality and viability of the centre.
Officers say because of the existence of a Co-op store, pharmacy, post office and bakers they do not consider the change would undermine the vitality of the centre.
But Coun Oliver (pictured)said the development would be incompatible with the retail nature of the shopping centre.
He said: ?It represents a significant departure from the existing amenities on site. There is no need for a further bookmakers, as there is one within 75m of this address sharing the same car park.?
The parish council objecton on the grounds of ?the loss of a retail unit and a replacement which is out of keeping with the retail element of the shopping centre.?
Health care row
rumbles on
by David Skentelbery
THE on-going row over the controversial plans to re-organise primary health care in Warrington has flared up again with contributions from Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary candidate Jo Crotty and Labour MP Helens Jones.
Dr Crotty, who will be fighting the Warrington South seat at the next General Election, was out and about in the town centre with council leader Ian Marks campaigning against the proposals, which could result in the closure of up to 40 GP surgeries across the borough.
She said: ?Hundreds of residents were queuing up to sign our petition.
?When people are ill they want to see their family doctor near to where they live.
?We agree with treating people out of hospital wherever possible. But people in Warrington overwhelmingly want to keep their local GP surgeries and health centres.
?Liberal Democrats are completely opposed to scrapping GP surgeries. Sick people would have to travel further, with no guarantee of seeing their GP of choice”.
Warrington Primary Care Trust has announced proposals for five ?mini hospitals? or ?health supermarkets? which would offer a wide range of health services and replace all or most of the existing GP surgeries.
Jo Crotty said: ?These plans would be particularly difficult for elderly people and young arents with push-chairs. Many people would have to trek across town, getting more than one bus just to get treatment.
?Warrington people deserve the best treatment ? they do not deserve to be treated like guinea pigs!? Warrington Lib Dem Euro-MP Saj Karim joined local campaigners to highlight the issue, helping to collect more signatures on protest petitions.
Helen Jones, the Warrington North MP,(left)has written to Health minister Andy Burnham asking for a meeting to discuss the controversial proposals.
She is concerned at the way the PCT has conducted its consultation into the proposals and the fact that no proper costings seem to have been done.
The MP said: ?I am very concerned at the impact the PCT proposals could have upon my constituents, who are in any case overwhelmingly opposed to them.
?I don?t believe they have identified sites for all their ?mini-hospitals? or costed their plans properly. Implications for our hospital have also not been thought through.
?The management of Warrington PCT is frankly a shambles. It has been very poor since it was set up and the acting chief executive is more concerned with confrontation than providing proper services here in Warrington. He won?t be here to face the consequences of his actions.
?Rather unfortunately his replacement has no NHS experience which is a great worry.
?I have asked to meet the Minister to discuss these issues and h
ave asked him, in the meantime to persuade the PCT to withdraw its plans so that we can proceed on the basis of consensus.?
The PCT consultation is due to continue until May 9, with a major meeting at the Parr Hall on May 1.
But as exclusively reported by Warrington-Worldwide last week, the PCT seems to have already accepted that its plan will not go forward.
Mark Beesley, head of primary care with the PCT, said at a public meeting at Appleton:: ?We think we are going to get knocked back. We think we are going to get a negative result to the consultation.”
Fire crews in night
battle to save homes
by David Skentelbery
A MOTOR repair workshop was almost completely destroyed by fire at Warrington during the night – and fire crews had to battle to stop the blaze spreading to nearby homes.
The fire was at premises off Scott Street, Orford and three fire engines from Warrington and Birchwood were involved in the operation.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “There was a very significant risk of the fire spreading to nearby houses, some of which were very close to the garage. But fortunately we were able to get a lot of water on it early on.
“There were also a number of gas cylinders involved, posing the risk of an explosion, so we had to be very careful.”
A quantity of tyres and two vehicles in the premises were also involved in the blaze.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but it is believed to have been a fault on a gas appliance.
Unique project
for young people
by staff reporter
PLACES are available in a unique project for young people aged 12-20 at Warrington Youth Club.
The Loud and Clear project is for young people who want to gain the skills to volunteer or get involved in youth work, or who are interested in having their say as part of a youth forum.
Through a 12-week programme that ends with a weekend residential at the Young People?s Youth Centre, young people learn new skills, get training and certificates and have a go at volunteering.
Paul, who took part in Loud and Clear earlier this year, said: “It’s hard work, but fun and exciting… a chance to learn about volunteering and lots of other things. It’s a really good experience – go for it and you’ll enjoy it and have a good laugh”.
The next programme starts in June, and will run on Wednesday nights from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. There are only limited places. Further information from Janis on 01925 581227.
Man in hospital
with head injuries
by staff reporter
A MAN is in hospital with serious head injuries after being attacked and beaten up in Warrington town centre.
The 25-year-old was attacked by two men in the early of Sunday morning, April 22, as he walked in Bridge Street.
He was punched and knocked to the ground and then kicked about the head as he lay helpless.
Police say a number of people were in the vicinity at the time and must have seen the attack. They are anxious to speak to anyone who may have information leading to the arrest of the offenders.
The victim was taken to Warrington Hospital but later transferred to the neurological unit at Walton Hospital in Liverpool.
Anyone who can help police is asked to call DS Caroline Smith 0845 458 0000.
