TOWN planners have been urged to ‘get off the fence’ over the Six56 Public Inquiry involving proposals to build a massive logistics site on Green Belt land next to M6 Exit 20.
While a Public Inquiry has been called to consider the application Warrington Borough Council has decided not to speak for or against the proposal, but simply be present to answer any queries. This decision was made at the Council’s Development Management Control Committee with all Labour Party members voting in favour and all opposition parties voting against.
Now members of The South Warrington Parish Councils’ Planning Working Group is urging planners to “get off the fence!”
Cllr. Ian Marks, who is Deputy Chairman of the Working Group spoke against the officer recommendation for the Council not to take an active role. He said, “Our Group consists of representatives from six Councils in the south of the Borough. We have been accepted as what is called a ‘Rule 6 Party’ at the Public Inquiry in May, which means we can take an active part and challenge other speakers such as the developer.
“This planning application has had a controversial history. There were issues to do with the original permission granted by the Committee. Then there was a U-turn by the Government over whether it should be ‘called-in’ by the Secretary of State for him to make the ultimate planning decision, despite the Council voting for approval last year.
“The critical change since the planning application was approved is the preliminary finding from the two Local Plan Inspectors received last December. In no uncertain terms they made it clear that this land should not be released from the Green Belt for two reasons. Firstly, the supply of employment land provided by existing commitments and the proposed Fiddlers Ferry Main Development Area would be sufficient to meet a reduced more realistic requirement for jobs. Fiddlers Ferry has the potential to accommodate large-scale and strategic development including logistics. Secondly, it would result in a significant encroachment into the countryside undermining one of the purposes of the Green Belt and would cause substantial visual intrusion.
“The Council should attend the Inquiry in an active and not passive way. It should either stick by its original recommendation and resolution to grant planning permission, or change its position based on the assessment in the Local Plan Inquiry Inspectors’ preliminary report. The approach being recommended will deprive interested parties from questioning Council officers as to the reasons for their recommendations. The applicant understandably will have its commercial interests in mind and no-one apart from South Warrington Parishes and any other like-minded ‘Rule 6 party’ will be there looking after the public good.
“The Inspector will not have the opportunity to hear the full debate. On behalf of the people in South Warrington, we ask the Committee to oppose the recommendation, change its mind and take an active part at the Inquiry.”
After the meeting Councillor Marks added, “We think the Committee has made a big mistake by choosing to take a backseat at the May Inquiry and needs to get off the fence!”
