PARISH Councils in south Warrington have joined together to fight the proposals in the new version of the Local Plan approved by the borough council last week.
The controversial plan, which includes releasing 10 per cent of green belt for housing and employment, will go out to public consultation for eight weeks starting on 15 April.
It proposes around 5000 new homes up to the end of the Plan period in 2037 in the ‘Garden Suburb’ to the south east of the Borough with the potential for 2300 more homes beyond this date. 4200 of these would be through release of the Green Belt. An urban extension to the south west would provide a further 1600 homes.
Cllr Cliff Taylor, Chairman of the Parishes’ Planning Working Group says, “Although each Parish has its own specific objections, there are a number of fundamental issues which we all have in common. Our task is to help our residents understand what they are and give some guidance on how to object in a way that will carry the most weight. To help us do this, we have employed a professional planning consultant who has the added advantage of also being a local resident.
“One of our successes so far has been to help overturn the planning application from Eddie Stobart for a new distribution centre on land opposite its existing head-quarters at Appleton Thorn. We understand they are appealing against this decision and we will be taking an active part at the appeal proceedings by objecting to the premature use of Green Belt land.
“Warrington Council has said it intends to run a series of consultation events at one central location in Warrington, probably the Halliwell Jones Stadium. By contrast we intend to run our own presentation and drop-in sessions at various venues in the south of the town. We will be leafleting households once the details of this have been firmed up. Our sessions will be held in late April and early May.
“We are working closely with the ‘Rethinking South Warrington’s Future’ group which is an umbrella organisation bringing together resident and protest groups from various villages. We are all working hand-in-hand to deliver a Plan that is right for our residents and protects our villages and green spaces.”
Council approves Draft Local Plan – see how your councillor voted
