VIDEO: Interview with Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive Steven Broomhead discussing the Local Plan, including the controversial Six 56 development and the Peel Hall decision.
Prof. Broomhead says he is well aware of the public concerns over the Local Plan via his mailbox virtually every day!
He said people were concerned about their environment and quality of life – but the council had to have a Local Plan – “If you don’t have one you can become a victim of the developers!”
“I think this is a different Local Plan taking on board what people have said about loss of green space and the number of houses.
“It’s not always the council’s Local Plan, it is one we have to do for Government.”
Meanwhile, Prof Broomhead said it was “Normal practice” for developers like Six 56 to say they had units available before any discussions on a planning application had taken place.
He also said he was “very disappointed” with the outcome of the Peel Hall Public Inquiry.
“Peel Hall is a massive concern but people shouldn’t blame the council because the decision was made by the Secretary of State.”
He added that the council had sought two pieces of advice on whether to challenge the decision in court and although the first advice had said there was no chance of winning, they were still actively seeking a second opinion.
He said it was “very sad” as it was a valuable green space and that dialogue was ongoing with the Friends of Peel Hall and if development eventually went ahead the council would work hard to enforce planning conditions.
