Car sales plan angers residents

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CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a car sales outlet on a busy main road at Warrington have angered nearby residents.
Planning chiefs threw out the proposals for Chester Road, Walton little more than a month ago only to see slightly amended plans re-submitted.
Now the borough council’s planning committee has referred the matter to its parent committee, the development management committee, which meets on August 1 because of the anger it has caused among
residents.
The proposals have been submitted by Furness Rigby Ltd and involve the change of use of a former United Utilities depot.
They are opposed by 10 nearby residents, Walton Parish Council and borough councillor Paul Kennedy.
Councillors originally threw out the scheme against the advice of their officers.
The revisedscheme is said to include amendments relating to highway safety – and planning officers are still recommending it be approved.
Residents argue that an existing traffic problem would be made worse – particularly if car transporters were entering and leaving the site.
They believe vehicles turning into the site will cause damage to the retaining wall to the adjacent, Grade 2 Listed Pear Tree Farm.
The residents also fear increased noise, a loss of privacy and security, a loss of green space and damage to wildlife habitats.
Cllr Kennedy objects on the grounds of increased road safety hazards on a very dangerous section of main road, particularly because of drivers slowing and stopping to look at cars for sale.
Walton Parish Council argue that additional traffic would be dangerous, the display of vehicles and associated signage would distract passing motorists, the use of portable buildings was not appropriate on a site that was already a “blot on the landscape” and valuable trees might be felled.
Planning officers point out that the site has not been used intensively for many years and the narrowness of existing access points limit the amount to which it could be used.
But they point out it could be used more intensively without any need for planning consent.


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