Elderly couple tied up
by masked raiders
by David Skentelbery
AN elderly couple and their son suffered a terrifying ordeal after three masked men burst into their home at Warrington.
They were tied up and locked in a downstairs room while the raiders ransacked the house in Red Lane, Appleton, stealing cash and jewellery.
The three men, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, were armed and threatened the occupants of the house.
They were not seriously hurt but were left badly shaken.
Police said the house was situated near a bridleway which links Red Lane, Appleton and Walton Gardens.
The men burst into the house in mid-morning and threatened the elderly couple and their son with unspecified weapons.
One of the raiders was about 6ft 1 inches tall and another was of stocky build.
Police have appealed to the public for health. They want to know if anyone saw anything suspicious in the Red Lane area, or cars parked in the road.
Anyone who can help should call DC Mark McManus on 01244 614893.
Town centre shopping
scheme held up again
by David Skentelbery
THE multi-million ? scheme to demolish Warrington?s Time Square and replace it with a new shops, leisure and housing scheme, has been deferred a second time by borough council planners.
Members of the development control committee decided they could not reach a decision until further negotiations had taken place with applicants Big Apple (Warrington) Ltd.
The project includes a multi-screen cinema, restaurant or caf?, bars, shops, offices and 312 residential units. It would provide some 420 parking spaces.
It first came before the committee in February ? at the same time as a ?100 million scheme to re-develop derelict land off Winwick Street with a similar complex of shops, offices, hotel and cinema, together with more than 600 homes.
Planners approved the Winwick Street scheme but deferred the Time Square application because of concerns over the amount of affordable housing proposed.
It is the housing element of the project which is still causing concern.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
They say there are no strategic policy objections to the proposals. The developers are prepared to contribute to the cost of affordable housing, recreational space, public transport, etc.
The scheme also includes improvements to the entrances to Warrington Market and an additional link bridge to the Market Multi-storey Car Park. There would also be space available for a health care facility within the site.
The borough council?s estates department has lodged objections, as have some of the existing occupiers of premises within Time Square.
But planning officers say the proposed development is consistent with policies contained in the town centre chapter of the Warrington Unitary Development Plan which seek to ensure the continued vitality and viability of the town centre.
MP calls for end to
“mini-bike mayhem”
by Terry Johnson
A WARRINGTON MP is calling for an end to the ?mayhem? caused by youths riding mini-bikes on pavements and roads.
Helen Jones, Labour MP for Warrington North, wants the Government to ban under-16’s from riding mini-bikes.
She has tabled a Commons Motion which asks for clarification of the law – ensuring that the power bikes are defined as ‘motor vehicles’, not for sale or use by children under-16.
Said the MP: “Mini-bikes are becoming a real nuisance in our neighbourhoods. Anti-social behaviour and accidents with these bikes is increasing.
“Young people are causing mayhem by riding these bikes on roads and pavements.
“Police already have seizure powers, but I believe the law needs to be clarified further. I hope Govt will take the appropriate action”.
Farmer wins first stage
of planning battle
by David Skentelbery
A FARMING family has won the first stage of a battle to build a new farmhouse on green belt land off Spring Lane, Lymm ? despite opposition from the National Trust and planning chiefs at two councils.
Mr Bill Blackburn was granted consent for the development after Coun Sheila Woodyatt backed his application at a meeting of Warrington?s development control committee.
The scheme still has to be cleared by the Government because it represents a departure from the borough?s development plan. But it is rare for Whitehall to overturn the local council?s recommendation.
Planning officers had recommended Mr Blackburn?s application be refused because the proposed house was not appropriate for a Green Belt location.
Neighbouring Macclesfield Borough Council and the National Trust lodged objections on similar grounds.
But Coun Woodyatt said the Blackburns were a well-known local farming family and the applicant was the third generation of the family to farm the land. He had a genuine need for the house because he would lose a major contract if he were not able to live on the site to oversee management of a large dairy herd.
Officers argued that the two-storey house would be excessively large for an agricultural worker?s dwelling ? but the committee voted to allow the plan to go ahead.
Male strippers at
“ladies’ night”
by staff reporter
MALE strippers and a special Abba Tribute Night are planned at the Lymm Hotel, near Warrington.
A Ladies Night on May 19 will feature a drag artiste, male strippers and disco, together with a two-course hot buffet.
Then on June 2 people will be able to re-live the Retro years with platforms and flares for the Abba Tribute Night, featuring band classics. Tickets are priced ?19.95, to include three-course dinner.
Man escapes
kitchen fire
by staff reporter
FIRE crews were called to a house in Rockford Gardens, Great Sankey, Warrington early today when fire broke out in the kitchen.
A man escaped unhurt from the property and the blaze was confined to the kitchen.
Cause of the outbreak was a chip pan left unattended on the cooker.
There was smoke damage in the kitchen and other parts of the ground floor.
Fire crews from Warrington went to Barnton, near Northwich, taking their rescue boat, to assist in the rescue of some bullocks which had fallen into a canal.
News in brief
Blood donors
BLOOD donor sessions are to be held at Culcheth Methodist Church, Ellesmere Road, Culcheth near Warrington on Tuesday May 30 between 2-4pm and 5.30-7.30pm and at Lowton Civic Hall, Hesketh Meadow Lane, Lowton on Tuesday May 9 at the same times.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 3, 4, 10 and 12. There was no winner so the ?200 jackpot is “rolled over” to next week when it will be worth ?300. The ?25 consolation prize went to J Jones.
No waiting
WARRINGTON Borough Council proposes to ban parking in Chapel Lane, Stockton Heath near Warrington to assist the entry of large vehicles to the rear of Smart’s Carpet shop.
Road closure
A TEMPORARY road closure has been introduced in St Mary’s Street, Latchford, Warrington while drainage connection work is carried out. The work is expected to last about two weeks.
