Save Peel Hall campaigners geared up for second phase of inquiry

THE Save Peel Hall Campaign Group’s Rule 6 Party is gearing up for the second phase of a public inquiry that threatens the future of the last, natural green space in North Warrington.

Proceedings were adjourned in September last year and the party will now face the final leg on March 9th.
Landowner Satnam Millennium Ltd is seeking outline planning permission for a 1,200 home multi-use neighbourhood. This appeal comes after the developer was successful in obtaining a High Court ruling. The Government’s Planning Inspectorate announced the reopening of proceedings this week.
Campaigner and Rule 6 member Jon Parr said: “The inquiry was adjourned at a delicate balancing point. The reason for this centred around the issues of traffic. This is a massive subject and is likely to sway the inquiry decision one way or another.”
“We hope the Inspector Christina Downes will come to the same conclusion with us, and that all residents in North Warrington already know, that our residential roads cannot accommodate the additional quantity of vehicles that this car-dependent development will impose on our already overstretched network.” He added.
Jon voiced the concerns expressed by Rule 6 that, due to the pandemic, the Inspector may not realise the real traffic problems and volume during her site visit.
“Any judgements must be made solely against historical modelling and traffic assessments, Added Jon. To assume the current reduction in traffic is the new norm would be hugely speculative. We hope the Inspector is aware and fully appreciates this. Our submissions fully document the highway headaches that every resident living here faces day in and day out.”
Campaigner Wendy Johnson-Taylor praised the ‘sterling efforts’ of the Rule 6 Party so far. “The amount of dedicated, sheer hard work is reflected on the superb submissions produced so far by Margaret Steen, Jim Sullivan, Jon Parr, David Sawyer and Geoff Settle. With highways next on the agenda everyone can expect very much of the same. We are all geared up and ready to go. I am in no doubt that our continued professionalism will shine through to the very end.”
Like the first phase, the Inquiry will be held virtually and chaired by the Inspector with interested parties being invited to join by Microsoft Teams or telephone. Observers can also tune into livestream using the YouTube link facility. Proceedings will commence at 10am.
In addition to highway matters, the Inspector has also allowed a new submission prepared by Rule 6 Party member David Sawyer which focuses on the issues of hydrology, drainage and flood risk assessment. The party were adamant that this addendum should be allowed into the proceedings following the most recent rainstorms that had resulted in serious local flooding.
Campaigner and Rule 6 member Jim Sullivan added: “We are now largely in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate. They have previously concluded that Satnam’s plans don’t stack up, and there is nothing new in this appeal, so we are optimistic that, once again the appeal will fail.”
The resumed Inquiry will also discuss provision of medical facilities, conditions and overall planning balance.
Wendy concluded: “Once the Inquiry is closed it is really impossible to say when we will hear the Inspector’s decision. Going on the last Inquiry that we won, the Inspector came back a bit quicker than expected. We’ll just have to be patient and wait.”
Warrington Borough Council planners rejected the plan which was opposed by about 2,250 local residents, the local MP, councillors and the local parish council as well as the Peel Hall Campaign Group.
Peel Hall consists of 69 hectares of mainly open land south of the M62, bounded by Elm Road, Birch Avenue, Poplars Avenue, Newhaven Road, Windermere Avenue, Grasmere Avenue, Merewood Close, Osprey Close, Lockerbie Close, Balleter Drive and Mill Lane.
About four hectares of the site is recreational space operated by the borough council.