Work ongoing to resolve long-standing issues over derelict Old Rectory and Grappenhall Hall School

LOCAL Cllrs have been working closely with Warrington Borough Council to find solutions for the long-standing issues relating to the derelict Old Rectory and Grappenhall Hall school sites in the village.

Cllrs. Marke Browne and Helen Speed have been involved discussions including a proposed community park on the school site and another option of a new school.

Commenting on the latest situation Cllr. Browne said: “We are working closely with Warrington Council’s Officers to ensure that any proposals for the Grappenhall Hall School site take into account the needs of the whole village, including those of the pupils of St Wilfrid’s, whose entrance is opposite to the exit from the former School.”

Cllr. Speed added, “Two outline proposals for the redevelopment of the School site and the creation of a community park are being developed ready for consultation. A third proposal has now been received for a new school but is still in its early stages. A comprehensive consultation process on proposals for the site is planned and it is hoped that these will be advanced sufficiently for this to take place in the autumn.”

A joint meeting, between the former Executor of the estate of the Old Rectory, the local Councillors and a senior member of the local authority team was held recently. The probate issues, which have been ongoing for 28 years remain complex, but steps are being taken to try to break the deadlock preventing progress.
Cllr. Speed added, “It is likely that progress resolving these issues will still take some time. We made proposals at the meeting on improving the site by the erection of scaffolding, covered in a picture of the Old Rectory as it was in its heyday and the introduction of wildflowers into the garden area. The family representative said that these will be fully considered by the Executor to see if it is possible to put these proposals in place.”

Cllr Browne concluded:, “We committed to fight for a fair deal for Grappenhall and Appleton Thorn when elected last September. We want to work as closely as possible with the Council and the Executor of the Old Rectory to ensure the best outcome possible for Grappenhall Village and to retain as much as possible of the building’s beautiful characteristics.”