450 homes given go-ahead
despite resident’s protests
by David Skentelbery
OUTLINE planning consent for a big canal-side housing development at Latchford, Warrington ? despite opposition from nearby residents.
Some 450 new homes would be built on the site of the New World cooker factory in Thelwall Lane, together with a neighbourhood centre consisting of small shops, professional services and food and drink outlets.
The scheme also includes refurbishment of the Richmond Social Club, provision of an ?ecology park? and children?s play area.
Two existing bowling greens would be ?rationalised? into one, moved closer to the social club.
It is the second time planning consent has been given to Glen Dimplex Cooking Ltd ? owners of the site.
The new plan differs from the earlier one only in that it makes use of an alternative vehicle access via a new mini roundabout in Thelwall Lane.
Developers say the original access cannot be used because it is owned by a separate landowner.
But the Manchester Ship Canal Company say the proposed new access will also be unachievable without the use of land they own.
More than 20 nearby residents had opposed the scheme on the grounds of traffic problems on nearby roads, loss of privacy, visual impact due to construction of high buildings.
But planners pointed out that issues such as the height of buildings and their positions would be the subject of further applications. The principle of development was already established and the proposed new access would meet safety requirements.
Wet weather inspires
mermaid creation!
by Lesley Wilkinson
A MERMAID costume modelled by Warrington student Nicola Kelly created a storm at a national student beauty contest in Birmingham.
The 21-year-old undergraduate from Orford helped Warrington Collegiate win a clutch of top prizes in this year’s Skills Challenge, which tests the abilities of students from across the country aiming for careers in beauty and holistic therapy.
Teri Bennett, 19, from Great Sankey, won gold for the mermaid creation – which was inspired by the recent heavy downpours that have flooded Warrington.
Golds also went to students Karen Humphries and Felicity Ford in the holistic therapy categories. Collegiate students also created punk and jungle style themes to win other prizes.
Bus campaigners
taste victory
by Terry Johnson
CAMPAIGNERS at Lymm are tasting victory after an axed bus service has been restored.
Arriva North West incurred the wrath of Lymm residents by withdrawing its No 37 Service buses between Warrington and Altrincham, via Lymm and Broomedge.
Complaints flooded in, with people in semi-rural areas without cars saying the decision left them stranded. Schoolchildren were also being hit.
But though Arriva was reluctant to continue the service, another commercial operator – Warrington Coachways – has stepped in with an application to run a two-hourly 37 Service, with morning peak variations.
Some journeys will also divert at Broomedge to serve High Legh, before resuming the normal route.
A start date for the new service depends on ?short notice? approval by the Traffic Commissioner.
Campaigning councillor Sheila Woodyatt, (pictured)said of the development: “This is excellent news. The service is a lifeline for residents of outer areas, like Broomedge.
“Though this new service is not identical to Arriva’s, it will be a big help to local people”.
Lymm councillor Bob Barr had earlier echoed community anger over the service withdrawal.
“People talk about the need for integrating transport – but this is a case of disintegrated transport”, he declared.
Superbikes will
be on show
by staff reporter
SOME of the hottest motor bikes in the world will be on show in Warrington next month ? and enthusiasts will be able to have their photograph taken with some of them.
Members of the Manchester Harley Davidson Chapter are staging a fundraiser for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre at the Ferry Tavern, Penketh on July 1.
It will be a family day ? but particularly for families interested in motor bikes. Well over 200 Harley Davidson bikes are expected to be present.
In addition, there will be live music, bike competitions with prizes, hot food, a hog roast, real ale and various sideshows and stands.
Local bands are being invited to play on a open air stage on the bands of the Mersey.
Wendy Parry, of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust said: ?It should be a wonderful day out. Things start at 11am and go on all day.?
Bands interested in taking part should contact Dave Cook on 07899934171 or email [email protected]
Dickensian festival
is to carry on
by Lesley Wilkinson
AFTER months of speculation and uncertainty, the future of the popular Dickensian Day at Lymm, near Warrington is now secured and it will go ahead on Saturday December 9.
At the end of last year long-term organisers of the event Peter and Gill Critchley and Daniella Bud, decided to step down. The search was on to find alternative organisers for the festival.
Now Lymm and District Round Table and Lymm Rotary Club have joined forces to rescue the annual event. And they are looking for new ideas for future years.
Tony Horne, of the Round Table, said: “We will have more people organising the event this year. So if local people have any new ideas for the festival, we would like to hear from them.”
He said plans were now underway and this year would be “business as usual.”
“It is our first year and our job is to make sure things run exactly as they normally do. We’ll be looking to add a Santa’s Grotto for the first time but apart from that we won’t be looking at any new ideas until December 2007,” he added.
One idea the organisers are considering is a special radio station for Lymm for the week.
Rotary chairman Neville Davies said: “This is just the kind of event made for both our organisations – we are delighted to get involved and thank Peter, Gill and Daniella for their incredible work over the last seven years.”
Al enquiries for all potential stallholders/entertainers/ sponsors should be made initially to [email protected] or by leaving a message on the Dickensian hotline Lymm 759644.
Bus collision brings
traffic to standstill
by staff reporter
TRAFFIC came to a standstill after a man suffered serious injuries in a collision with a double-deck bus in Bridge Street, Warrington.
The man was taken to Warrington Hospital with injuries described as ?serious but not life threatening.?
Traffic piled up at Bridge Foot and even pedestrians were barred from entering Bridge Street on the Academy side of the street.
Access to Mersey Street from Wilson Patten Street was completely blocked by the bus.
Seaside holidays
from the past
by Lesley Wilkinson
DAYS of candyfloss and donkey rides at the seaside will be recreated at a Culcheth school on Monday June 12.
Staff from Warrington Museum will visit Newchurch Primary School to give a talk to Class One about seaside holidays from the past.
They will show pupils artefacts from the seaside in bygone days. And they will tell pupils about holidays and trips to popular seaside resorts that people enjoyed in the past.
