Residents oppose council housing plan

ANGRY residents who are opposed to “council type” housing on a green field site in south Warrington packed into a parish council meeting to register their objections.
Neighbours eager to prevent the development of 54 housing association properties on land adjoining Montclare Crescent and Ackers Road, crammed into a meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council.
Phil McConnell, of the newly-formed action group fighting the plans, said: “We found unanimous support among residents to keeping the field as an open space.”
He said that regularly more than 100 children used the field for mountain biking or playing games such as “hide and seek.”
“The children say there is no-where else for them to go, what will they do if they loose this facility,” he said.
He also said more than 100 adults say they regularly use the field for dog walking, bird watching and community
activities. Many people had been enjoying visiting the field for many years.
Residents and parish councillors were concerned that the site was a distance from shops, and that extra housing would put a strain on services such as schools, doctors and dentists.
Brian Buckley, of Egerton Street, said: “Building 54 new houses means probably 54 more cars in Stockton Heath adding to the parking problems. There is already nowhere to park in the area, and extra cars will add to the congestion.”
Warrington Borough Council’s head of housing David Cowley told the meeting there was a high demand for affordable housing in Warrington and that because of increasing property prices many people were unable to get the “first step” on the property ladder.
He said average prices of a terrace property in Stockton Heath was more than £172,000 compared with a borough average of around £110,000.
He said there was a substantial need for affordable housing in the Stockton Heath area and that priority of allocation on the homes would go to people from the village and neighbouring areas. He said all properties would be rented. Several people were surprised that the properties would be rented.
Mr Buckley said: “So we are talking council houses then?”
Mr Cowley said the properties were housing association properties, and the association would own the site.
He said full details of plans and proposals would be on display on Monday June 16 at Bethesda Church between 3pm and 7.30pm.
The parish council agreed to defer any action until after they had visited the exhibition.