LOCAL councillors have been left dismayed at the government’s decision to allow the proposed development of the former Parkside colliery site near Winwick and its new link road.
The decision was made earlier this week by Michael Gove, Minister for ‘Levelling Up’, Housing and Communities.
Croft Parish Councillor Norman Partington said, “The £40m Parkside Link Road will join the A579 Winwick Lane within our territory and has been a matter of particular concern to us, cutting through 93 acres of green belt.”
A new roundabout is proposed at the junction, with a new dual carriageway to carry the additional volume of traffic up to junction 22 of the M6.
Councillor Gary Farnsworth added: “Not only will this mean increased heavy vehicles and traffic queuing locally, it will also attract the development of warehousing/distribution centres in previously protected countryside.”
The Parkside proposal was supported by St. Helens Borough Council but in 2018 Warrington Borough Council decided to object to it after a public outcry, including objections from the Parkside Action Group set up to oppose it. But they withdrew their objection two years later. Croft and Culcheth & Glazebury parish councils commissioned a planning consultant to oppose the scheme.
But then the government called the proposals in for a public inquiry, which took place in January of this year.
The government’s planning inspectorate conducted the inquiry and a decision has been expected from the minister since then.
Cllrs Partington and Farnsworth say the decision will mean huge disruption with construction vehicles and roadworks going forward.
