Residents fight mini-shopping centre

WORRIED residents at Warrington are fighting plans for a mini-shopping centre at a busy junction.
They have lodged objections to plans for a commercial building, to house three retail units.
The scheme at the junction of Stocks Lane and Warrington Road, Penketh is also being opposed by local borough councillor David Keane, while Penketh Parish Council has expressed concerns.
Thirteen nearby residents say there is already a shortage of parking in the area leading to severe traffic congestion.
They claim the building would be out of character with the area and would amount to over-development of the site.
Residents believe the land should be used as a public car park.
Cllr Keane says the proposed development would be too large and would limit highway visibility at a site which is already dangerous. There are already retail businesses nearby which suffer from a lack of parking.
The parish council says there would be insufficient parking spaces for three shops. They would want assurances that there would be no takeaway shops.
However they accept the site needed to be developed.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme, submitted by Mr Alan Thwaites, should be approved.
They say the development is of appropriate size and consistent with the mixed character of the area. They believe parking proposals, for 10 cars, are adequate.