Skateboard park
gets the go-ahead
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have unanimously supported the provision of a ?30,000 skateboard facility in Ridgeway Grundy Park at Lymm, near Warrington – despite opposition from around 100 nearby residents.
The scheme, submitted by Lymm Parish Council was backed by local schools, councillors and petitions signed by nearly 350 people.
Members of the borough’s development control committee decided the scheme would enhance existing facilities for young people in Lymm.
They had been told the skating area would be of modest size and would be constructed in a way to minimise noise.
But nearby residents made it clear they were still strongly opposed to the scheme – and that there might still be ways of stopping it going ahead.
Spokesman Michael Dyble raised the issue of by-laws which might prohibit the use of a skate facility in the park. The meeting was also told an application had been made by a resident seeking to register the land as a village green because the Commons Act 1876 prohibited any sort of construction on a village green.
But head of planning John Groves said by-laws were not a planning issue. Tennis courts and cricket nets had been held by the courts as being compatible with village green status and it was considered the skate facility could be viewed in this way.
Mr Dyble predicted the skate facility would not be used much. He said observations during the summer had not revealed a single young person skateboarding on the streets of Lymm.
He questioned why the Statham Residents Association were supporting the scheme when the park was remote from Statham where there were more suitable sites available. He also stressed the potential dangers to unsupervised children from the proximity of the Bridgewater Canal to the park.
The skate facility would not prove cost effective, was close to houses and might not even be legal, he argued.
Parish council chairman Pam Marks said the “silent majority” of Lymm people supported the scheme.
The main objections were based on the fear of anti-social behaviour in the park, but the skating activity would result in more decent young people using the area and could result in less anti-social behaviour.
She said she had seen many young people skating in the street, which was very dangerous.
A survey of children in both primary schools and Lymm High School showed that an overwhelming majority of young people wanted the facility.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt added: “The project was instigated by young people, supported by young people and the site chosen by young people. The park is an ideal spot for the facility.”
New students for
a new college year
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON’S Priestley College opened its doors for the start of the new academic year with students from across the town and the North of Cheshire enrolling on courses.
After a busy week of activity which saw the completion of the registration process, the new first year students are now beginning life at college having completed their secondary school education.
The college is hoping to build on the success of these students who have achieved the best ever success rate at GCSE level for Warrington schools.
Meanwhile the majority of the returning students are now embarking on pathways which will see them complete their Advanced Level qualifications next summer.
While the student population has increased, so has the range of qualifications and pathways of study available with subjects such as Archaeology, Computing, Music Technology, Public Services and World Development all added to an already large portfolio of courses, from which some students are able to pick their own individual programme, containing traditional A-Level and vocational courses.
Another exciting year lies in prospectus for all those connected with the college on the back of this year’s A-Level results in which Priestley was able to notch a 99 per cent pass rate with 25 subject areas landing a 100 per cent success and equally good achievements were gained in advanced and intermediate vocational courses.
Principal Mike Southworth said: “The summer period has been one of great anticipation on campus following our excellent results and large number of new students.
“Now the term has started we look forward to helping our young people to achieve their goals at a time when Priestley really is the place to be.”
School where pupils
feel “cared for”
by staff reporter
PUPILS at Bruche Primary School in Padgate, Warrington, enjoy being at school, feel “well cared for” and form good relationships and get on well with others.
These are just some of the findings of OFSTED inspectors as this school was the first primary school in the borough to be reviewed under new pilot arrangements for OFSTED inspections.
The new reviews, which are clearer, will be rolled out across the country and the borough from now on.
During the pilot inspection, which took place in June, the OFSTED team found that many pupils were making satisfactory progress and pupils in the Foundation Stage were provided with a “well rounded education”.
The inspectors noted that pupils enjoy going to school, as reflected in attendance rates, which were far higher than the national figure.
According to the inspection team, classrooms were attractive and provided children with an interesting environment.
The team found healthy living was promoted throughout the school and that new lunch menus and breakfast snacks encouraged pupils to appreciate nutritious food.
The inspectors did identify areas which needed improving but added: “There is commitment within the school to make things better and the right priorities have been selected.”
Headteacher Ron Anderson said: “We are very pleased that this report has highlighted so many good aspects of our school life. The school was formed two and a half years ago and the amalgamation process has not been easy but, with the hard work of staff and pupils and parents, we are overcoming any obstacles. We are dedicated to providing an excellent standard of education at the school and are committed to overcoming the serious weaknesses identified in the report and improving services to give all of our pupils the best educational start in life.”
Governors’ chairman Helen Hollett added: “We are pleased that so many aspects of school life including the health and welfare of our pupils has received a good report. We will of course take on board the inspectors’ recommendations and endeavour to raise our standards.”
New bridge will
remove hazard
by staff reporter
A NEW pedestrian bridge is to be built providing access to Walton Hall Gardens to remove a road safety hazard on the existing, 235-year-old bridge over the Bridgewater Canal.
Planners have approved construction of the new bridge alongside the old one – even though it will involve removing part of a wall which is Listed as being of architectural or historic interest.
Walton Parish Council originally opposed the scheme but withdrew their objection after planners moved the new bridge further away from the old one, avoiding the need to fell two mature cedar trees.
However, two yew trees will still be lost.
A risk assessment had revealed conflict between pedestrians and vehicles on the old bridge – which dates from 1770 – resulting in a number of “near misses.”
The borough’s development control committee was told it was unfortunate that two trees would be lost. But it was considered the traffic hazard outweighed the value of the trees.
A section of wall adjoining the bridge will be removed brick-by-brick and rebuilt close by.
Two rescued from
smoke-filled flat
by David Skentelbery
TWO people were led to safety from a smoke-filled flat in Poplars Avenue, Orford, Warrington, early today.
The pair were fast asl
eep, unaware that a fire in the kitchen, had filled the flat with thick smoke.
A smoke alarm was activated – but did not rouse the occupants.
Fire crews managed to awake the pair and lead them to safety before tackling the fire which originated from food left in an oven.
There was severe smoke-damage throughout the flat.
In another incident early this morning, firefighters were called to Peninsula House, Orford where a man was trapped in a lift.
They isolated the power and hand-cranked the lift to ground level where the man was released unharmed.
Online electors save
the council money
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON Town Hall is reaping “big cash savings” after 20,000 people ‘phone-registered to vote on the borough’s special hotline.
Household details need to be registered for inclusion in the new electoral list, which entitles a vote.
‘Phone registration – a fully-automated round-the-clock service available until November 18 – and the Internet have been used by 20,000-plus voters in the first three weeks of operation.
This has produced “big reductions” in the council’s canvassing costs.
Council leader John Joyce, said: “We are very pleased with the response to this system. The ‘phone and Internet make it easier and quicker for voters to register their details”.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 3, 10, 11 and 15. There was no jackpot winner and the prize money will be “rolled over” to next week.
One way streets
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order introducing one-way systems in Wellfield Street, Fox Street and Kimberley Street, Warrington. Anyone wishing to object must do so to the High Court within six weeks of September 1.
Barn conversion
PLANNING chiefs have given the green light to a scheme to convert a barn at Fir Tree Farm, Fir Tree Close, Stretton into two two-storey dwellings.
Salon extension
PROPOSALS to extend Saturn Tanning, in Hawthorne Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington have been approved by planning bosses.
