Bizarre
Boundary Proposal |
4/12/03 |
On
1st December the Boundary Committee for England
published their Draft recommendations for unitary
local government in Lancashire and are now "consulting"
on the draft options put forward for a period
of 12 weeks until 23 February 2004. Click
Here to view the full report. The recommendations
are founded on the findings of a "statistically
robust" Mori Poll of 300 West Lancashire
residents. Click
here for the Mori Report in full.
In
summary, the three options that the Boundary Commission
have proposed are:
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Option
1: We become part of a massive Lancashire County
Council "Unitary Authority"
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Option
2: We become part of a new "Sefton and
West Lancashire"
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Option
3: We become part of a new "Sefton and
West Lancashire"
Rather
bizarrely, our three options are actually only
two. You are asked to provide feedback on these
proposals but, to date, the supposedly convenient
Online Feedback Form on the Boundary Commission
website does not work and so any comments you
wish to make must be made as best you can using
pen and paper and it will cost you the price of
a stamp. We have informed the Boundary Commission
of this oversight and are awaiting a response.
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Outlook
Wet for the Northern Parishes |
28/11/03 |

Get
the very latest
floodplain data direct from the
Environment Agency Website |
The
Environment
Agency's new Indicative Floodplain Maps
provide a general overview of areas of land
in natural floodplains and therefore potentially
at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea.
The maps use the best information currently
available, based on historical flood records
and geographical models. They indicate where
flooding from rivers, streams, watercourses
or the sea is possible. However the maps
do not show flood defences which offer vital
protection in many areas.
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The
Agency is making these maps widely accessible
to make it easier for people to find out if they
are in a flood risk area and what local flood
warning arrangements exist. They also inform planners
and developers and are a key tool in informing
decisions on controlling development in floodplains.
For more information and the answers to frequently
asked questions about flood plain maps, the impact
it has on properties, the impact on property insurance
and answers to general questions about flood risk
CLICK HERE
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Dear
Editor..... |
15/11/03 |
REDROW
PLANNING APPLICATION NOVEMBER 13th 2003-11-15
The
Conservative members decision to overturn the
Officers recommendation for refusal of Redrow
application and thereby overturning Policy of
the Adopted Local Plan sends out some very disturbing
signals both to developers and public.
The
strong arguments put forward by leading Conservatives
in favour of releasing even more land for the
development of Executive homes on the Greaves
Hall site were in stark contrast to the professional
advice given by Senior Officers of the Council.
Cllr. Robert Hodge pitched his 30 year experience
in planning matters (!) directly against the Officers
when he argued that in his opinion there were
‘Material Considerations’ in favour
of changing the land designation from Employment
to Housing thus enabling Redrow to build many
more houses on the site. What happened to ‘Local
jobs for local people’, Robert?
From
the developers point of view this will mean a
substantial boost to their profits, as they already
own the land in question, bought years ago at
way below current land prices.
From
the viewpoint of adjacent residents on the Redrow
estate, it was not too difficult for their ward
Councillors to persuade them that a ‘few
more houses’ would be preferable to ‘Industrial
units’ and what about the much trumpeted
‘community benefits’ dangled before
them? ( less than half the value of a Redrow house)
From
Cllr Hodge and his Conservative colleague’s
viewpoint judging by the cheers from the Redrow
residents in the chamber, there are a significant
number of now secure votes in the bag.
But
what about the rest of us in the northern parishes?
What does this mean to us?
Quite simply that far from the claims in Conservative
election literature that “We will stop further
development in our villages” the exact opposite
is true- they are absolutely determined to see
more and more development in our villages, but
are not prepared to be open about it.
Most fair minded conservative supporters must
now see the clear pattern of their elected representatives:
promises that they will ‘work hard to prevent
further development’ at election time, sneakily
pass more applications in between time and then
blame it on someone else later (ideally Labour/
Lib Dems/ Independents or recently even Planning
Officers!) at next election time. If anyone was
left in doubt as to how all the development was
allowed to happen in our villages over the last
30 years then they need look no further than Conservative’s
performance on Thursday.
The
facts are simple – we do not need any more
executive houses in our villages. The Redrow residents
are probably unaware of the implications of this
latest permission, namely that the principle of
land re-designation is now firmly established
– Redrow will aggressively pursue further
development throughout the site. How will these
same residents feel when they discover they live
on a 1000 house estate? When they realise too
late the local infrastructure cannot support them?
Cllr. Hodge disputed the need for consultation
in North Meols stating “we have never done
so in the past, why start now” This flies
in the face of what people actually do want.
The recent efforts throughout the Northern Parishes
to provide effective consultation gained overwhelming
reactions against further development from a responsive
public. Now the Conservatives have wilfully set
their face against the wishes of the public, the
Professional Planning Officers of the Council
and not least their own election promises in an
apparently shameful attempt to gerrymander a few
more votes. These people will simply do and say
anything just to stay in position. So people of
the Northern Parishes, be warned, there are serious
threats to undermine your wishes. Observe elected
members actions rather than listen to their empty
words at election time.
John
Hodson (Tarleton Village Design Group)
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Redrow
win 'more houses' debate |
14/11/03 |
Despite
strong objections from North Meols Parish Council
and a recommendation from Planning Officers to
refuse the application, the proposal for Redrow
to complete a further 69 dwellings on land earmarked
for employment at the Greaves Hall site was nevertheless
granted at last nights West Lancs Planning Committee.
The
application, which was first submitted by Redrow
in 2001 is in conflict with the West Lancashire
Local Plan Policy in that it would materially
reduce [by half] the amount of land designated
for business use thus reducing the potential for
increased local employment.
The
30 pieces of silver, or "upgraded community
benefit package" as it is now known, tabled
in furtherance of the Redrow proposal includes:
-
Making
a financial contribution to the upgrading of
Aveling Drive to adoptable standards from Guinea
Hall Lane to the site frontage.
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Provision
of a financial contribution of £25,000
for improvements to the Community Centre on
Greaves Hall Avenue
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Provision
of infrastructure to serve the proposed employment
land, by upgrading and extending Greaves Hall
Avenue and providing all necessary sewers and
services to service the land.
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Within
12 months of planning permission being granted
to complete the demolition of all redundant
buildings and structures within the application
site, excluding the former Laundry building,
leaving the site in a safe and tidy condition.
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To
carry out a marketing exercise for the commercial
land to gauge market interest
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No
dwellings to be occupied on the site until Greaves
Hall Mansion has been reconstructed.
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To
make up Greaves Hall Avenue including footpaths
and lighting to St Stephens C of E Primary School
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To
provide a school drop off area
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Within
18 months of the first occupation of any dwelling
on the site to carry out remedial works to the
existing Aveling Drive football pitch including
mole iradication and drainage works.
-
To
provide six affordable flat units at 80% of
open market value.
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Hi-Di-Hi |
14/11/03 |
Two
more applications have been received at West Lancs
Planning relating to the growing problem of accomodating
seasonal agricultural workers.
Flavourfresh
Salads have applied to the Council to retain five
residential caravans at their Marsh Road site
and also to retain the use of a former office
block at Rydings Lane for accomodating seasonal
agricultural workers .
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More
White Vans Wanted |
14/11/03 |
All
members of the public are asked to be on the look-out
for the following 2 vehicles. They have been seen
recently acting suspiciously and it is also believed
they have been seen throughout the West Lancs
area. The vehicles are both White Transit vans:-
The whereabouts of these vehicles are wanted by
both Lancashire and GMP Police. One vehicle is
believed to be involved in theft of motorcycles.
Please be on the look-out for both these vehicles.
Any sightings should be reported to the Police
immediately.
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Workshop
Plan Submitted |
9/11/03 |
Application
No.: 8/2003/1362
Proposal : Erection of workshop building; provision
of car
parking area and alterations to existing
vehicular/pedestrian access.
Location : Land rear of 29, Chapel Lane, Banks.
Applicant : Mr D Rimmer
29 Chapel Lane
Banks
Ward : North Meols Parish :North Meols
Date Valid : 30 OCT 03 Grid Ref :SD3956921112
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Water
Board Warning |
3/11/03 |
Message
from The West Lancashire Neighbourhood Watch Association
The
police are warning the public about bogus officials
who have been gaining entry to elderly persons homes
by posing as water board officials who want to check
water pipes. Once in the home the offenders have
stolen property.
Descriptions
of two offenders seen are males early 20's one of
whom had red hair and spoke with a stammer. He was
wearing a white anorak. Do not let persons into
your home without seeing proper authority or them
having made a written appointment.
A second problem concerns telephone calls to elderly
residents, saying that the Environment Agency wishes
to make an appointment to call. Their reason is
to give advice on Crime Prevention, mentioning security
alarms in the conversation. These calls do not have
any connection to any Professional body.
Please
do not let anyone into your home without first checking
their identity. If you require information on Security
alarms please contact the Crime prevention officers
at your local Police station. If you wish to contact
the Police please ring 0845 1 25 35 45 or in an
emergency dial 999.
If you wish to pass on information anonamously about
this or any other incident and then you can contact
Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. |
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Thefts
Continue |
16/10/03 |
The
Police are reminding everyone, once again, of an increasing
crime trend in rural areas of West Lancashire. These
are thefts from garages, farm buildings and driveways
of heavy equipment such as sit-on lawnmowers and farm
equipment including trailers. It is believed the offenders
are from the travelling community and are using white
transit vans as well as a dark coloured saloon car.
They are calling at premises offering landscape gardening
services. Within half an hour of their call equipment
has been stolen. Please be aware of these offences
and exercise caution with any unknown callers on your
property. If you are suspicious please notify the
Police. |
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Bostock Murder Re-Opened |
14/10/03 |
Detectives
are to reopen the investigation into the murder of
Nigel Bostock who was strangled and stabbed at his
home in Banks. The latest DNA testing techniques will
be used in an attempt to solve the 16 year old murder
of the Southport Shoe Shop owner.. |
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Hoole Lane House |
13/10/03 |
Planning
Application No.: 8/2003/1232
Proposal : Conversion and extension of garage into
dwelling.
Location : Land rear of 30/32, Hoole Lane, Banks.
Applicant : Mrs H F Greenall
30-32 Hoole Lane, Banks, PR9 8BD |
Planning
Application No: 8/2003/1234
Proposal : Use of first floor for office & document
storage.
Location : 99, Gravel Lane, Banks.
Applicant : Inter Europe Foods Ltd
99 Gravel Lane, Banks, Southport, PR9 8BW |
Decisions
of WLDC Planning Committee
3rd Sept 2003 |
24/09/03 |
8/2002/1066
Baker Management Ltd.,
Greaves Hall, Greaves Hall Avenue, Banks.
Refurbishment/alterations to Greaves Hall to form
21
apartments; erection of 12 mews type houses with
courtyard
and parking facilities; erection of barn type building
to be
used for parking of cars and bicycle storage; provision
of
parking areas and landscaping.
DECISION - DELEGATED FOR APPROVAL SUBJECT TO S106
AGREEMENT
8/2002/1067 Baker Management Ltd.,
Greaves Hall, Greaves Hall Avenue, Banks.
Listed Building Consent - Refurbishment/alterations
to
Greaves Hall to form 21 apartments.
DECISION - APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
8/2003/0319 Redrow Homes (Lancs) Ltd
Land off Guinea Hall Lane & Greaves Hall Avenue,
Banks.
Outline - Mixed use development
comprising residential development and extension
to
playing fields on land to North & East of Mansion
House
& development of land to South of Greaves Hall
Avenue
to accommodate any or all of use Class B1(a) offices,
Class C2 residential institutions, Class D1
non-residential institutions (including details
of means of
access).
DECISION - REFUSED |
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Wanted:
White Van Man |
13/09/03 |
All
farms and Neighbourhood Watch members are asked
to be on the lookout for the following vehicle:-
A white Transit Van reg. no. S817 SRJ.
This
vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances in
Bickerstaffe at around 3:30 on Wednesday afternoon.
It is thought they may have been attempting to steal
a caravan but when challenged the driver( who spoke
with an Irish accent) said they were cutting hedges
and then made off towards Rainford. About 2 hours
later a shed was reported broken into when lawnmowers
and other property were stolen. Please be on the
look-out for this vehicle and report any sightings
to the Police immediately. To repeat:- A white Transit
van reg.no. S817 SRJ. |
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Low
Cost Housing Application Submitted |
05/08/03 |
Application No.: 8/2003/0638
Proposal : Outline application for residential
development for low cost housing.
Location : Land rear of 97, Station Road, Banks.
Ward : North Meols Parish :North Meols
Date Valid : 25 JUL 03 Grid Ref :SD3860120399
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Fleetwood
Hesketh down but not out |
01/08/03 |
Newly promoted to the West Lancs Premier league,
Fleetwood Hesketh faced a formidable Hesketh Bank
side at a freindly pre season away match last
night and ended up loosing 2:1 to their arch rivals.
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Area
Committee Election |
24/07/03 |
The
Annual General Meeting of the West Lancashire Area
Committee of the Lancashire Association of Parish
& Town Councils was held in the Council Chambers
at Ormskirk on Friday 12 July 2003.
Councillor
Joan Draper of North Meols Parish Council was
elected to the Chair of the Area Committee for
the ensuing twelve months.
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Quiz
Time! |
18/07/03 |
Where
in North Meols are: Premises used for agricultural
fabrication and repairs, vehicle recovery and storage,
vehicle maintenance and repair, parts and steel
store. Garaging of steam engines, showmans caravans
etc and towing equipment?
If
you answered Johnsons yard at Banks then you might
be surprised to learn that West Lancs Planning disagrees
with you. A Certificate of Lawfulness was recently
refused as the planners considering that, on the
balance of probability, the buildings have not
been used for the purposes described above. We welcome
any input from the council as to what they do think
the buildings might have been being used for for
the last three generations. |
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