Long-running Peel Hall inquiry re-opens today – virtually

THE public inquiry into the controversial Peel Hall development at Warrington re-opens today.

It will be a virtul hearing because of Covid-19 – with participants able to take part via Microsoft Teams.
The hearing will start at 10am today but at 9.30am on subsequent days. It is set to take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the next two weeks, with Thursday and Friday of the following week set aside as reserve days if required.
Full proposals involve a major development of up to 1,200 houses and apartments, a care home, food store, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments, hot food takeaways, primary school, open space, etc.
But the resumed Inquiry will only be considering evidence on highways and planning policy/ planning balance, and will not be an opportunity to revisit the topics that have already been discussed in evidence or to hear further local representations.
In 2018, developer Satnam Millennium Ltd, appealed against the decision of Warrington’s Development Management Committee to refuse the proposed development on land at Peel Hall. Satnam’s appeal was dismissed by the Secretary of State. However, in October 2019, the High Court quashed the decision.
This meant that a new public inquiry into Peel Hall was required. It began on September 14 last year and was adjourned on September 22.
Warrington Borough Council remains committed to strongly defend its case against the proposed development of Peel Hall, on the basis that it would adversely affect the surrounding highway network.
Council leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “As a council, we maintain the strong opinion that the additional information provided by the appellant does not demonstrate that the impacts on the highway network would not be significantly adverse. We will continue to robustly defend the appeal on these grounds.”
The Planning Inspectorate is using Microsoft Teams to enable people to participate remotely. It can be accessed by a link in an email invitation through a laptop, tablet, computer or smartphone or by dialling in via a given phone number.
Anyone wishing to participate in the inquiry must make their interest known to the Planning Inspectorate case officer Helen Skinner (Tel: 0303 445531, email: [email protected]).
People who wish to observe the event can do so on YouTube. Sessions will be livestreamed via the following link: youtube.com/channel/UCQqDetL1R5aRgbNm8PDViNw
For more information about the Peel Hall Public Inquiry, including a draft timetable of the sessions, visit warrington.gov.uk/peel-hall-inquiry