A failing campaign requires desperate tactics

Warrington Worldwide (click heading to view story) reports the opportunistic Lib Dems and Tories alledging that plans for a Titan Prison are back on track.

Political insiders tell me that for all the glossy newsletters and headline grabbing of the Lib Dems that central support for the Warrington South seat has been pulled because their own polling evidence shows that the seat is a straight fight between Labour and the Tories. I could have told them that if they had cared to ask me!
The truth was revealed back in April this year when Justice Secretary Jack Straw in straight parliamentary language ruled out a Labour Government siting a Titan Prison on the Omega site. Hansard records the following exchange (27th April 2009);

Helen Southworth (Warrington, South) (Lab): My right hon. Friend is well aware that my constituents want the Omega site in Warrington to develop as a high-quality business park containing quality offices, new technology manufacturing and associated hotels and retail premises. Will he assure us that his statement today that the Department is not seeking to locate a prison on the Omega site will hold for now and for the future?


Mr. Straw: Yes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. As far as this Government are concerned, that is an absolute guarantee. We have, and will have, no plans for a prison on that site. We cannot say that about everywhere, but one of the compelling arguments that she and my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) have advanced is that Warrington already has two prisons—Thorn Cross and Risley.

Both Helen Southworth and Helen Jones put together a strong case and won a decisive victory for local people.

It is nothing short of disgraceful for the Lib Dems and the Tories to play politics on an issue that was put to bed earlier this year.

Warrington Guardian reports nursing home victory

Click on the headline to view the Guardian's take on the Norris Street Nursing Home planning appeal.

Nursing Home Application Dismissed

A 12 month campaign by local residents to stop an imposing 40 bed Nursing Home on land at Norris Street is celebrating a victory today as the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal submitted by the applicant.

As local ward councillor I am delighted that the independant inspector agreed with the central themes of our objection to the scheme - the character of the area would undoubtedly be compromised by such a development.

Particular thanks must go to local residents Len Smith and Bernie McDerra who galvanised the local community. Fairfield resident and planning consultant Ian Smith for his expertise on planning matters provided the campaign with the technical knowledge required to build a case and lastly the support of my fellow Labour Councillor Mike Hannon.

The full appeal decision can be viewed by clicking on the title above (pdf file).

Orford Park Project

The Orford Park Project was granted outline planning approval on the 17 September 2009. The design team have now developed the final detailed site plan and building floor plans, and it is intended to put these on display at locations in the Orford area and at key Council information points from 5th October onwards.

Members of the Project Design Team will be attending some of the venues to discuss the plans with local people. By clicking on the heading above, the attached document gives details of the display locations and the availability of the design team.

Howley Play Area's Update

Work transforming three sites in Howley is well underway as the picture opposite shows.

Well done to Howley Residents Association and council officers for delivering the projects on Harbord St, Parr St and at Howley Park

Howley Carnival

Cllr Yvonne Fovargue officially opens Howley Carnival on Saturday, 18th July.

Farrell St Subway

The Council has recently contacted me regarding a proposal to close the subway located on Farrell St.

The subway attracts vandalism, suffers from flooding after heavy rainfall and requires investment to remove and replace uneven flags on the approach to the subway.

The puffin crossing located near the school provides an alternative to the subway and a second crossing via a S106 planning agreement has been secured for a nearby residential development to the south of the subway (although in the current climate it is unlikely that work will start on housing developments in the area for some time).

Both local residents groups have been consulted by Cllr Bennett and myself and have no objections to the closure.

The council will have to undertake a consultation exercise before a Stopping Up Order can be put in place.

If you have any views on this matter then please leave a message and I will pass all comments to the council officer concerned..