Housing plan splits
village community
by David Skentelbery
A PLAN to build houses on open farmland at Glazebury, near Warrington, has split the local community.
More than 76 people have signed letters supporting Mr Jess Bradbury’s proposals for land at the rear of his home in Warrington Road, Glazebury.
But 28 local householders have lodged objections to the scheme and Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council is also opposing the proposal.
Two years ago Mr Bradbury submitted similar proposals which were thrown out by Warrington’s development control committee following opposition from nearby residents.
He subsequently failed in an appeal against the decision.
Planning officers are recommending that the scheme should again be refused. They say part of the site lies within the draft Green Belt and that with Warrington’s Unitary Development Plan now much closer to adoption, Green Belt land in the area has an even greater level of protection than it had two years ago.
Mr Bradbury’s new scheme includes a number of community benefits. Ten per cent of the development would consist of “affordable housing.”
A parcel of land would be donated for a village green and ?20,000 offered towards the cost of a new scout hunt/community hall.
Improved car park facilities would be provided for Glazebury Methodist Church together with improved outdoor facilities, costing ?15,000 at Glazebury CE Primary School. Traffic speed warning signs would be provided near the school and a footpath laid to the community centre. Public seating would be funded.
Objectors claim the financial donations offered are purely to gain support for the scheme. The parish council says the project would be detrimental to the Green Belt and contrary to the current policy on housing development.
The council says community benefits should not be used to change Green Belt policy.
College students tackle
engineering challenge
by Terry Johnson
BUDDING engineers from Warrington’s Priestley College successfully completed challenging “hands on” projects set by leading science-based local companies.
The Priestley students teamed up with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and the Daresbury Laboratory as part of a national Engineering in Education initiative.
Problem-solving within BNFL focused on how radioactive solids could be moved in safety around a storage tank, free from human handling. Students working on this project were Stephen Burgess, Samuel Clarke, Sarah Farricker, Jason Pye and Andrew Stevenson.
The Daresbury team, working on a product to detect radiation emissions, were Jonathan Adams, Sarah Bowes, Samuel Haddock and Paul Oatridge.
Both groups joined a celebration day at Manchester University when they were grilled by a panel of engineers on their solutions to the tasks undertaken.
Priestley physics tutor, Alan Durbin, said: “Both student groups achieved well. They have now been invited to apply for a Gold Crest Award which gives them extra credit as up-and-coming engineers”.
Second-hand electrical
goods found to be safe
by Lesley Wilkinson
SECOND-HAND electrical goods on sale in Warrington were found to be safe following a series of tests carried out by Trading Standards officers in the town.
The organisation ensures that all electrical goods sold in Warrington meet important safety standards. They visited several second-hand retailers and tested products ranging from washing machines to cookers.
Appliances were tested by an electrical expert to ensure that they complied with safety standards. Officers were pleased that all passed, with only minor issues identified.
Trading Standards manager Peter Astley (pictured) said: “Checking the safety of second-hand electrical goods is very important, as these appliances may become unsafe if they have been damaged, or outlived their useful life.
“It is not easy for the public to tell whether the appliance they are thinking of buying is safe, or a potential death trap, hence it is vital that we are out in the community testing the market to ensure that they are safe,” he added.
He said retailers should ensure appliances are tested and are safe, and that the survey showed they were taking their responsibilities seriously.
Coun Pat Wright, executive member for community services, said: “Although the results of the project were pleasing, Trading Standards still advise anyone who is considering buying second hand appliances ensure they put their safety first. They should always ask what checks the supplier has carried out to ensure the appliance is safe. Appliances must be supplied complete with full instructions and labels to ensure they can be operated safely.”
Chairman highlights
year of achievement
by staff reporter
BOROUGH councillor Roy Smith was re-elected chairman at the annual meeting of Great Sankey Parish Council, Warrington.
Coun Keith Gleave and Coun Alan Litton were re-elected chairmen of the finance committee and employment group respectively. Coun Allan Bird was elected to replace Coun Jim Regan was vice chairman.
Reviewing the year since the Liberal Democrats took control of the council last June, Coun Smith pointed to a number of achievements.
These included a successful bid to the Environmental Improvement Fund for the resurfacing of the car park at the Wroxham Road centre, an initiative with local schools to highlight the problems of litter and the decision to fund two Community Support Officers.
He also referred to the new parish council website www.greatsankeypc.org.uk and a reduction in the amount parishioners pay towards parish services.
Coun Smith said in the coming year, the council would be looking at its procedures and practices with a view to attaining Quality Parish Council status.
Lifeboat group
seeks volunteers
by John Hendon
THE Warrington branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is seeking volunteers to help with future fund-raising events – particularly flag days and collections.
The branch meets every other month at the Irish Club, on Orford Lane, Warrington – the next one being the AGM on June 2 at 8pm when new members would be welcome.
Spokesperson Pat Taylor said: “I was not aware the branch existed until last year, when I forwarded my late mother’s funeral donations to the RNLI HQ in Poole, Dorset.
“She was always a great admirer and supporter of their work, with volunteer crews risking their own lives saving others.
“Childhood seaside holidays always included a visit to the resort’s lifeboat station.”
Last year, the crews of RNLI’s 330 lifeboats around Britain’s coasts saved more than 7,500 lives. The organisation costs more than ?100 million a year to run – and all income is raised by contributions and legacies made by the public.
Anyone wanting further information can call Pat on 01925 811284 – or turn up at the AGM.
Questions and answers
about the cemetery
by staff reporter
A QUESTION and answer session is taking place at Burtonwood Cemetery, near Warrington tomorrow (Sunday).
The Management Surgery will take place between 1pm and 3pm and gives people the opportunity to seek further information and discuss issues about the cemetery – without having to travel to Walton Lea, on the other side of Warrington, which can be a difficult journey for some people.
For further information about the surgery contact Neil Simpson on 01925 267731.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 2, 7 and 15 – but there was no winner for the ?132 jackpot. The ?25 consolation prize went to J Delamaziere. Next week’s top prize will be around ?250.
Demolition
PLANS to demolish a detached bungalow in
Belmont Crescent, Great Sankey, Warrington and replace it with another bungalow have been put to the borough’s planning department.
Road closure
A SECTION of Blenheim Close, Padgate, Warrington will be closed from Monday (May 23) for a period of up to 10 weeks while sewer and drainage works are carried out.
Bank plan
THE Co-operative Bank is seeking permission to place a 24-hour automatic cash dispensing machine outside the Late Shop in Kingsway South, Warrington.
Footpath closures
PARTS of the footpath from Stretton Road and opposite Hatton Lane, Stretton, will be closed temporarily from Monday (May 23) for about two weeks while sewer connection work is carried out.
