WARRINGTON Borough Council’s enforcement team has issued a breach of conditions notice and an enforcement notice to the owners/organisers of the car boot sale held at Winwick following ongoing traffic issues.
Following a number of concerns raised by local residents, local police and Winwick Parish Council regarding the impact the weekly events were having upon traffic, litter and parking, the borough council conducted an investigation and discovered that the owners/organisers were holding events on a Wednesday in a location that did not have the appropriate planning permission.
Furthermore the investigation also discovered that land adjacent to that location was being used as a car park without the appropriate permission.
As such on the first matter a breach of condition notice has been issued and on the second matter an enforcement notice issued which requires the owners/organisers to cease use of the land as car park no later than the 1st October 2023. (If no appeal is lodged)
A third matter relating to the number of events being held on the main location for Sunday Car boots was also investigated. Current conditions limit the total number of events to 28 days in any calendar year. The council has discovered that as of 28th July this condition had not been exceeded BUT would by 3rd September 2023 if events occurred continuously from that date.
On all matters the council say they would continue to monitor the site closely.
A resident of Winwick Park told Warrington Worldwide. “What started out as Car boot sales being held ‘every so often’ has slowly increased at first to every single Sunday and now every Wednesday, Sunday and bank holiday.
“Hundreds of Cars and sellers regularly arrive at 05:30 causing traffic jams, pollution and excessive rubbish. Carboot ‘Marshalls’ use the pedestrian crossing as a traffic management tool constantly pressing the wait button in order that the lights turn to red to let cars off the site adding to the traffic chaos.
“Car parking became so bad that B&Q had to leave their gates closed to ensure there was adequate space for their own customers, this then resulted in hundreds of cars parking along Delph Lane, causing obstructions and forcing pedestrians onto the road. When there isn’t any space on Delph Lane cars are parking on the A49 central reservation, Burger King roundabout, Winwick Park and in Winwick Village itself including on the car park for St Oswald’s church. As the main car boot is held on a Sunday this parking has had serious consequences for the congregation, especially the elderly being able to attend the services.
“To many residents the car boot has become a blight on the village and one that has outgrown its location and outstayed its welcome.
“I hope the council continue to put pressure on the owners to adhere to the current planning conditions and take the appropriate steps if they remain in breach of them.”
Local Cllr. Cathy Mitchell posted an update on facebook stating: “The Enforcement Team has now issued a breach of condition notice in respect to the car boot sales operating at the Laurels on Wednesdays. The notice has requested that such activity ceases. The landowner has 28 days to comply once they receive the notice. Although a notice has been issued the landowner has recently applied to vary the condition. The application reference number is 2023/00934/VARC, should you wish to respond.
“An enforcement notice has also been issued on the land adjacent to the Laurels requiring the use as car parking to cease. If no appeal is submitted the landowner will be required to comply with the requirements of the notice by the 1st October 2023.
“With regards to the main car boot site (adjacent Newton Road), our investigation revealed that the number of permitted days has not been exceeded. Officers will continue to monitor the site. An application has however been received to extend the number of permitted days for car boot sales on the land. The application reference is 2023/00935/VARC should you wish to respond.
Police clampdown on “horrendous” parking issues caused by Winwick car boot sale
1 Comment
This information is misleading and totally misrepresented in this picture. As a weekly car boot attender I find that the traffic is not problematic and at 5am in the morning who is affected by heavy traffic anyway. This event has put warrington on the map and is a much supported event. As for noise and litter problem, this is ridiculous as it is contaained within private land in a field away from residential prenises. The proprietors are very keen on keeping the site clean and orderly. This is obviously a need for traders and people trying to make a living and brings trade to the area. Anyone visiting the area to shops such as B and Q and the retail park are responsible for thye noise and litter in those areas, it should not be blamed on the car booters who like myself, are very clean and tidy, Let the car boot continue without spoiling yet another event that the public enjoy that helps bring trade and a sense of community to Warrington. I was under the impression that the council was looking to promote business and encourage people to get involved in the community instead of pandering to a few miseable locals who are constantly complaining when anything good happens, Many people on low incomes depend on these events to survive as the cost of living is causing many people to change their shopping habits. This is an ideal opportunity for people to try and stretch the weekly budget to make ends meet,