Multi-million ? town
centre project approved
by David Skentelbery
A MULTI-million plan for a major new shopping, leisure and office development at Warrington, including a multi-screen town centre cinema, has been given the green light by the government.
The project will go-ahead on a cleared site off Winwick Street, opposite Central Station – and Town Hall chiefs are hoping a start can be made this year.
But another major town centre scheme, involving the redevelopment of the Time Square site, near Warrington Market, has been turned down.
Both scheme were originally approved by Warrington Borough Council ? despite the fact that both involved a cinema, shops, restaurants, offices and homes.
But the government called in both schemes and ordered a public inquiry.
It is understood the inspector who conducted the hearing recommended that both scheme be allowed but that the Government overruled him.
The Winwick Street development has been drawn up by The Winwick Partnership, a consortium involving Manchester-based Modus Developments and Merseyside-based Iliad.
It is the second time Modus has put in proposals for the sprawling area of cleared land. In 1999 they put forward a similar ?25 million scheme. But it fell through after disagreements with the council.
The new scheme involves about 600 apartments, a hotel, the cinema and a number of restaurants and offices as well as some retailing.
Diana Terris, the borough council?s chief executive said: ?We are delighted with this decision. The council and Modus placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of this development.
?We see it being the best means of regenerating a site which stands on a major route into the town centre, in a prominent location viewed by those arriving at the new bus interchange and the railway station.?
Council leader Ian Marks said: ?This is an exciting development in a location which is very accessible by public transport and which adds to the increasing attraction of Warrington town centre. Along with other developments such as Golden Square and the bus interchange, it sends a message that Warrington is a major destination capable of attracting real investment.
?Importantly the scheme brings massive benefits in terms of job opportunities in one of the most deprived wards, a replacement for the existing day care centre on the site and the upgrade of a key gateway into the heart of the town.?
Coun Keith Bland, deputy leader of the council said: ?We would have liked to see both schemes go ahead we will certainly not be forgetting the Time Square project. We need to look at it again now because of the impact it could have on the market.?
Modus development director Mike Ralph praised the forward-looking and constructive approach adopted by the council.
He said: ?Modus has been very pleased to have been able to work with the council to put together an imaginative scheme which brings the greatest possible benefits to the town and the wider community.?
Arson raid on
car dealer
by John Hendon
POLICE are investigating after arsonists set fire to two cars at a Warrington car dealer’s premises.
The blaze was at the Arnold Clark garage in Farrell Street and threatened nearby waste oil storage drums.
Numerous cars were parked at the rear of the garage but only two – both relatively new – were affected by the blaze.
Two fire appliances were sent to the scene to deal with the outbreak.
Police are examining CCTV footage from the firm’s security system to see if the culprits were picked up.
In a separate incident, arsonists are believed to have set fire to a car which was badly damaged in Hulme Street, Warrington.
The blaze also damaged a wheeled bin, some hedgerow and grassland.
It is understood the car was of Polish origin and belonged to a Polish family living in the area.
Council urged to ban
drinking in village centre
by John Hendon
COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are recommending a ban on drinking in the street at Stockton Heath following a big increase in incidents of alcohol-fuelled disorder.
Over the last two years the number of licensed premises in the village centre have increased from six to 15 ? a rise of 150 per cent.
This has resulted in more people visiting the village, particularly of an evening and this is expected to increase still further with regeneration and expansion of the shopping centre.
Visitors from other areas are being blamed for much of the violence and disorder and there have been several arrests.
Council officers believe there is a direct correlation between the increased footfall in the village and the rise in violence and disorder.
A council spokesman said: ?Evidence from the police highlights that many of these violent crimes are attributable to youths and other drinking taking open containers of alcohol from premise to premise, or to food outlets or taxi ranks and bus terminals.
?Other offences including bottle throwing and glass injuries have occurred when offenders have picked up containers in the street that have been discarded by drinkers.
?The ability of the police to confiscate containers of alcohol will provide an extra tool in managing the centre.?
Consultation would have to take place with the parishl council and licensees who might be affected by the ban and details of the proposals will have to be made public.
Others parts of Warrington also suffer from drink-related disorder and the council is considering similar bans in other areas.
Jazz goes to college
JAZZ musicians went back to college to give some tips to music students at Warrington.
Bass guitarist Stevie Williams and his band permed tracks from their latest album, 4am, and took time out from a busy gigging schedule to talk to youngsters at Warrington Collegiate.
Stevie, who performed with Isaac Heywood, drums, Andy Kingslow, keyboards and Danny Gough, trumpet, said he was happy to return to the Collegiate for the second year running.
He said: “We are all based around Manchester and we do music master classes. I did go to music college myself but I left and got a job travelling the world with a jazz trio.
“I came back here, having spent a lot of time in New York, and brought my influences with me.”
The Collegiate musicians were happy Stevie, who taught himself to play the piano when he was just eight, before moving onto bass guitar, agreed to return to the college.
Bass player Kye Jones said: “It is awesome to see them again. I saw Stevie last year and really wanted to see him again. He’s great.”
Promoted PCSO
is leaving her patch
by staff reporter
A POLICE Community Support Officer in Warrington is leaving her patch after securing a promotion.
PCSO Katie Morris, who covered the Woolston area, will say goodbye to colleagues at Risley Police Station on Friday – a year after she started the job.
But she will not have to travel far for her new post – as she will be working as a financial investigator at Cheshire Police’s headquarters in Winsford.
PCSO Morris said she would miss working in the area and helping local residents.
“The community have been supportive of my efforts to improve the quality of life experienced by those who live and work in Woolston, Rixton and Glazebrook,” she said. “Over the past year I have forged relationships with many members of the community, partner agencies and businesses.
“I have enjoyed working as part of a larger team at Risley Police Station and also want to thank the officers for their guidance and continued support.”
A new PCSO – Alison Shacklock – is due to start at Risley Police Station on Monday. She will be a new face pounding the beat in Woolston.
Residents can meet PCSO Shacklock, who is currently completing her training, face-to-face at the next Woolston Community Action Meeting on Monday September 10 at 7pm at Wools
ton CE Primary School along with PC Chris Barnes.
“PCSO Shacklock will be a keen and enthusiastic addition to the team,” said PCSO Morris. “I would encourage as many members of the community, partner agencies and businesses as possible to forge strong links with her.”
PCSO Morris used to cover Rixton and Glazebrook but PCSO Bethan Roberts has now taken over that role.
Museum gets down
to archaeology
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Museum is marking National Archaeology Week by inviting all budding Indiana Jones? to have their discoveries identified by a top professional. Visitors will be able to find out if they are sitting on a treasure on Wednesday July 18, between 1pm and 4.30pm with Frances McIntosh, the finds liaison officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme in the north west. She will be on hand to offer free one-to-one consultations on any items discovered while metal detecting, out walking, or even digging in the garden. There will also be a range of exciting objects on display, which have been found by amateur metal detecting enthusiasts in the region. Museum manager Janice Hayes said: “What many don’t know is that Warrington is a veritable hotbed of archaeological items, each having their own individual history. Find out about your items by popping along for a consultation.” No appointment is necessary ? visitors can drop in with any pot or rock found in the garden or elsewhere. But no valuations can be given. The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a government -backed voluntary scheme for the recording of archaeological finds in England and Wales. More information can be found at www.finds.org
