Revealed: the town's secret Titan site

UNTIL last week, the Government was considering not one but TWO sites in Warrington for a Titan Prison – and a third one just outside the borough boundary.
In addition to the giant Omega development site, the other local sites being considered were at Dennow Farm, Appleton – a short distance from £1 million houses in Firs Lane – and on the site of the former Parkside Colliery at Newton-le-Willows.
The news was revealed through a Freedom of Information request to the Justice Department – but was lost amid the local euphoria which followed the news that the Government had pledged to build no prisons in Warrington.
It sent shockwaves through Appleton where residents were blissfully unaware of the proposal.
Parish councillor Mike Stansfield, who has known the area for many years, said: “It hasn’t changed around there for 50 years – probably 100.
“I can’t see how they could have ever considered putting a prison there.”
Another parish councillor, Brian Smith, said: “I can’t think of a more unsuitable place to put a prison. It would have been ridiculous.”
Borough councillor Paul Kennedy (pictured) said: “I had a ‘double take’ when I saw Appleton on the list. It certainly was a well kept secret and quite an odd location for such a massive building.”
The inclusion of Parkside on the list also came as a surprise to local residents.
One said: “We have been fighting plans for a giant freight terminal on the site for years and I think we would have found a Titan Prison just as objectionable.”
Meanwhile, leading members of all three main political parties in Warrington have praised the campaign group WRAPP – Warrington Residents Against Prison Plan – for their part in opposing plans for a prison anywhere in Warrington.