Residents speak out over New World site (From Warrington Guardian)

Residents speak out over New World site

THE future landscape of Westy was debated at a public meeting last week, when the owners of the New World site invited opinions from residents.

At a meeting at Richmond's Club, in Richmond Avenue, on Tuesday last week, residents and ward councillors quizzed the developers employed by the site owners, Glen Dimplex Cooking Ltd.

The owners have put a planning brief together and are weighing up the options for the future of the Thelwall Lane site, which they are considering selling off.

Clr Hans Mundry said: "The major issue from our side was the 'one road in, one road out' scenario, and that was echoed by residents."

The councillor added that there were also environmental concerns raised by a number of people.

The developers were urged to consider the option of making a feature out of the site's pond, in an effort to promote wildlife.

However the fact that it is an industrial site was highlighted and the option for more industrial development was not counted out.

Clr Mundry said that people are starting to realise that something is going to have to be built there, but it is unlikely that another factory would garner any public support.

He added: "We will follow what the residents want and support their case when it comes to planning."

Warrington Borough Council sees the 14 hectares of brown field land as an important regeneration opportunity that could possibly deliver new homes and new jobs.

Dave Heesom, of the Westy Action Group, said: "We will just wait and see what they come up with. We have got a form to put our objections on and we will have our say."