CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a disused roller skating rink in Warrington town centre and replace it with an apartment block providing 144 one and two bedroomed flats has been given the green light by planners.
Members voted to approve the application despite opposition from nearby St Mary’s Church who said the development would be totally out of character with the local conservation area.
Father Konrad Loewenstein attended the meeting to voice opposition due to the size and style of the development which he said would impact on the landmark church which carrie dout shrine activities which could be traced back 2,000 years.
He said the proposed building was “far too high” and totally out of keeping with other buildings in the area which were Victorian or Georgian and the Gothic church building.
Cllr Les Morgan also expressed concerns over fire safety issues, with no sprinkler alarm system in the current proposals.
But speaking in support of the application ward Cllr Tom Jennings said the vision for Warrington was to repopulate the town centre to help it “regenerate and thrive”.
The building – formerly a Kwiksave supermarket in Academy Street and more recently a Skate Academy– will now make way for a mix of one and two-bed properties, together with ancillary accommodation and 88 car parking spaces.
Part of the ground floor will be used for retailing while there will also be roof top open space for people to sit out.
Members of the borough’s development management committee deferred a decision previously after some councillors expressed disappointment the scheme did not include provision for affordable home. During last night’s debate there was no mention of the lack of affordable homes – although part of the meeting was held in private (Part 2).
Two letters of objection have been received claiming the appearance of the building would be mediocre, with no architectural merit, that it would be incongruous in its surroundings and would have a detrimental impact on an area of architectural and historic interest.
All the flats would be for rent – but there is no provision for affordable homes.
Officers said the building would be acceptable in the area and recommended the scheme be approved.
5 Comments
This is an incredibly ugly building and blights the view of the lovely St Mary’s Church, for this reason only it should have been refused! Incredible that it could get passed with no affordable housing and unbelievably no sprinkler alarm system! Which members of the planning committee voted to pass this application? Why would part of this meeting be held in private?
Planning and planners (chiefs and advisors) have an unfortunate, but deserved, history in this town, which meetings or part thereof held in camera does nothing to improve.
One never ceases to be amazed by WBC’s appalling record of complete and utter disdain and disregard for Warrington’s heritage. To build such a grotesque and overbearing building next to St. Mary’s Church, listed Grade Ii is risible and a disgraceful lack of judgement. WBC clearly have not understood (or havedeliberately chosen not to understand that respecting ‘setting of a listed building is a material legal consideration in assessing any nearby development.
The same lack of concern and judgement by WBC planners is demonstrated by the grotesque views from the quiet garden of the listed Quaker Meeting House. There, the new Market Hall towers and glowers threateningly over the tranquil garden lawn. And, horror piled on horror, the new meccano clip-kit cinema grows menacingly blocking the view. No respect for the setting and scale of an important listed building.
It is about time that WBC is robustly challenged for its continuous and continuing complete disrespect for Warrington’s arcitectural heritage. This should be the top priority for Warrington Civic Society.
This has been happening for the last 50 years so why should it change now?
Lane End developments. http://www.laneend.org/ – Solutions for registered providers.
Tory Govt policy, – local authorities can lend to developers at very low interest rates – strictly no affordable housing!
Why are WBC not lending the money directly to TORUS? Is the use of a ‘middleman’ to disguise the facts of the ‘deal’ because WBC using public funds to subsidise developers profits and TORUS investing in non affordable instead of providing the much needed affordable wouldn’t go down well with the people of Warrington?