250 new homes come with
?3.7m “green” package
by David Skentelbery
DEVELOPERS who have offered Warrington a ?3.7 million package of mainly ?green? benefits have been given the go-ahead to build 250 new homes ? some up to five storeys high.
The Peel Group, owners of the Manchester Ship Canal, have won outline planning consent for the homes on land adjoining the canal on land off Chester Road, Lower Walton and south of Landseer Avenue and Cranborne Avenue, Warrington.
A former timber mill would be demolished to make way for the project and redundant land, including former railway sidings, would be reclaimed.
The scheme was opposed by Stockton Heath Parish Council, Walton Parish Council and nearby residents.
An earlier scheme, involving 275 properties up to seven storeys high, was thrown out by Warrington Borough Council and a public inquiry was expected to go ahead next month.
The appeal is now expected to be dropped.
The package of benefits will include the creation of the 5.75 hectare Waters Meet Linear Park, costing ?1.6m, highway improvements costing ?600,000, a contribution of ?48,250 towards new healthcare facilities, ?13,000 towards improvements to the Trans Pennine Trail and decontamination of former industrial sites costing between ?1.5m and ?2m.
Peel will also provide 55 “affordable” homes in the scheme.
Planners were told the applicants consider that the development will address the current social imbalance in Latchford by introducing a higher proportion of young professionals and young couples with children.
It would also result in an improvement in visual appearance of the site by removing old, derelict industrial.
Coun Ted Finnegan said increased traffic would affect the whole area around Chester Road. Buildings higher than three storeys would affect existing homes in Cranborne Avenue and Landseer Avenue.. He believe the properties should be of two storeys only.
Walton Parish Council objected on the grounds of too high a density and the height of the proposed buildings which, they said, would have an overbearing impact on the residents of Walton.
Stockton Heath Parish Council argued that the high buildings would blight the skyline and be overbearing for residents of Ellesmere Road.
Increased traffic would worsen existing congestions on Chester Road and the homes would add to the current oversupply of housing in Warrington.
Although they wished to see the site redevelopment they consider the plan amount to “over-development.”
Twenty two local residents lodged similar objections – some condemning the proposed high-rise buildings as “an eyesore.”
But planning officers said the development was consistent with the council’s land supply policies, particularly through the provisions for affordable housing.
How drama can
influence learning
by staff reporter
DELEGATES from across the world converged on the Warrington Campus of the University of Chester for a two-day convention exploring how drama is used in schools both domestically and internationally.
Entitled Thinking Through Practice, the drama education symposium featured 65 representatives from across the North West, as well as practitioners from as far afield as Finland, Italy, Portugal, Japan and Palestine.
Organised by the University’s Faculty of Education and Children’s Services and the Department of Performing Arts, in collaboration with Arts Learning Consortium North West, the event examined how drama could invigorate learning and teaching.
It was all part of the ongoing collaboration between the University and the University of Bethlehem, and included an interactive drama performance which was also staged in schools and other venues across the North West, to increase understanding of the Palestine-Israeli conflict.
The production was devised by Professor Allan Owens, and the University of Bethlehem’s Dr Hala Al Yamani, together with two students from Palestine.
Professor Owens said: “The performance facilitated local discussion of the concepts of freedom, home, return and hope, and the symposium was a way of involving colleagues internationally, nationally and regionally in the conversation.”
The project was one of a number set up by the recently-formed University of Chester Palestinian Project Group, which has been working to create a continuing stream of international links with institutions and organisations in the territory.
Eleven “danger spots”
on canalside road
by David Skentelbery
ELEVEN “danger” spots have been identified in Chester Road, Grappenhall where it runs alongside the Bridgewater Canal, where vehicles could plunge into the water.
Canal owners Peel Holdings have agreed to erect a fence at one – near Stanny Lunt Bridge – following a lengthy campaign by local councillor Ted Lafferty.
Talks are to take place between the canal company and the borough council about the other 10 – and Coun Lafferty is hopeful that action will be taken on those also.
He said: “I am extremely pleased Peel Holdings have agreed to fence the gap near Stanny Lunt Bridge.
“A car did go into the canal there some time ago and although the people managed to get out, it could easily have been different. I have been worried about this for some time – and so have local residents.
“I am delighted Peel Holdings have agreed to fence the gap.
“They came down and walked the whole length of the canal alongside the road and identified 10 other places where a vehicle could go into the water. They want to discuss them with the borough council and, hopefully, they will all be dealt with, possibly as a joint venture.”
All the danger points are on the opposite side of the canal to Stockton Lane, where two teenagers died in 2004 when their car plunged into the water late at night. As a result, Stockton Lane has been closed to through traffic because it is believed a safety barrier would not be effective.
Coun Lafferty said the situation on the Chester Road side of the canal was entirely different and safety fencing or a barrier would prove effective.
Elvis look-alike tones
down the sound
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON?S answer to Elvis, Rob Kingsley, can now get all shook up without worrying about his hearing.
A recent chance meeting at a hearing aid manufacturer?s 30th birthday party, led to the firm providing Rob with a set of custom-made specialist in-ear monitors specially designed for musicians and performers.
Rob has been a professional Elvis since he left the army. In just two years he has developed a fantastic reputation and was voted best UK Vegas Elvis and runner up Vegas Elvis in Europe 2007 and is dedicated to delivering a top class performance, even sourcing his costumes from one of Elvis? original designers.
He has suffered from hearing problems in the past which he attributes to exposure to loud music. He explains: ?When I perform in large venues, the PA systems are very powerful. Being exposed to loud music is inevitable in this business but I do worry about potential damage to my hearing.?
The micro technology inside the in-ear monitors provides the musician with a lower stage volume to enhance their performance but more importantly to protect their hearing. The ear pieces are custom-made for unmatched comfort and a secure fit.
Rob adds: ?If the music is too loud then you tend to shout and that?s when you?re accent comes out. I?m Scottish but my performance is pure Memphis! The in-ear monitors are amazing as not only do they protect my hearing but they really aid my performance.?
Neil Pottinger, sales manager at Starkey Laboratories, said: ?Individuals who are exposed to loud noise for any period of time are susceptible to hearing damage. Hearing is a vital sense, particularly for musicians.
?In-ear monitors will protect Rob?s hearing by providing up to 26db of sound isolation.?
Survey aims to let
voter
s have a say
by John Hendon
ELECTION hopeful Jo Crotty has been carrying out a survey of residents in Warrington South.
She?s been knocking on doors, in company with local councillors, asking people to take part in the survey which seeks view on various issues and provides a way for residents to inform councillors of local problems.
The Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate said: ?We have knocked on thousands of doors and handed out thousands of surveys.
?The response has been really positive. We will be writing back to everyone who returned a survey form ? thanking them for helping us campaign on their behalf, and encouraging them to keep in touch with any other issues that arise.? The survey forms will continue to be delivered through September.
Jo added: ?This shows that the Liberal Democrats are connected to residents at a local level. We care about what local people have to say, and we make sure to keep in touch all year round.
?People respect that about us, and it?s a big reason why we won in May?s elections,? she added.
News in brief
Charity night
A SIXTIES and Seventies night is to be held at the Alford Hall, in Manchester Road, Warrington on Saturday, October 20 to raise funds for the Warrington Multiple Sclerosis Society.
There will be a late bar, raffle, tombola and hot pot supper and entertainment will be provided by Andy Lloyd, voted Northern DJ of the Year in 2003.
Details are available from Julie Richards on 01925 5730980 and Peter Travers on 01925 492970 The events starts at 7.30pm.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 7, 12 and 15. Two winners shared the ?649 jackpot and a member of the hospital staff won the ?25 consolation prize.
Golf store
WARRINGTON Golf Club has won planning permission for a new greenkeeper’s store and office at their course in London Road, Appleton.
Homes plan
PLANNING chiefs have given the green light for four three-storey houses in Bewsey Road, Warrington.
