PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have voted unanimously to approve the £30 million Orford Park Project – a blueprint for a super community sports village of borough-wide significance.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee gave the outline proposals the go-ahead and it will 
now go to the Secretary of State, who will decide whether or not to “call in” the scheme for his own determination.
This is because the scheme is in an out-of-centre location and involves retail and leisure facilities.
It is nearly 20 years since the project was first suggested and among those giving enthusiastic support were Orford councillors Mike Hannon, Kate Hannon and Terry Whelan, who were involved from the outset.
They suggested a condition that local labour be used to build the 50-acre facility – and the committee agreed.
Eight objections or expressions of concern were received from nearby residents – mainly arising from worries about anti-social behaviour, traffic and parking problems and the positioning of a proposed skatepark.
But councillors decided sufficient safeguards were built into the plans.
The scheme includes football pitches, a leisure centre with swimming pool, health centre, local park and crèche.
The North West Development Agency has approved an investment of £3.6million in the scheme and other partners include Sport England, the Football Foundation, Warrington Town FC, NHS Warrington, William Beamont High School and Warrington Collegiate.
Work is expected to start soon with the facility due to open in November 2011.
Pictured…an artist’s impression of the main building.
£30m sports village approved
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
