Celebrations after shops plan axed

RESIDENTS are celebrating after controversial plans for a shopping development were thrown out by Warrington planning bosses.
The scheme, on land at the junction of Stocks Lane and Warrington Road, Penketh, has now been considered by the borough council’s development management committee three times.
Each time it has been opposed by nearby residents amd Penketh Parish Council who say the scheme is too big for the site and will exacerbate existing traffic and parking problems.
The latest scheme, involving three shops with two apartments above them, involved a smaller building than the earlier proposals.
But councillors decided there were unacceptable parking and traffic issues.
Ironically, the first time the scheme was put to the committee, in January last year, it was approved.
But early this year a revised proposal with a larger building with first floor apartments was withdrawn after concerns were expressed about traffic and parking issues and the size of the building.
Now the third version has been rejected – despite a smaller building.
Seventeen neighbours lodged objections, along with Penketh Parish Council and borough councillor David Keane.
In addition to traffic issues, they argued that the building would be out of character with the area, obscuring the nearby St Paul’s Church and be much higher than adjacent buildings.
There would be a loss of amenity for residents of Victoria Road and the development would be too close to the existing Crown and Cushion pub.
But planning officers recommended the application be approved as they did not believe it would have a significantly overbearing impact on the street scene.