Protestors in Culcheth angry at plans to build on field at Doeford Close

9:10am Tuesday 10th July 2012 in News

THE fight to save Greenfield land in Culcheth is on after a 12- year-old schoolgirl set up a Facebook page protesting against plans to build on the site.

Culcheth High School pupil Eleanor Daintith, of Doeford Close, hopes her ‘Fight 4 our Field’ page will raise awareness and drum up opposition to the development.

Developers Redrow submitted an application on June 8 to build 26 houses on the field, next to Doeford Close.

Eleanor said: “As a kid, I don't have a say in major decisions like this that affect me and my friends so I wanted to make my feelings known.

“I feel very strongly that I don't want the builders to spoil the field, which is a habitat for many animals and a place for me and my friends to play.”

Residents have also started a group to organise resistance to the proposals.

The group’s chairman Geoff Hardern, also of Doeford Close, said: “We’re not opposed to development, but this is over-development and it will stretch the infrastructure of Culcheth.

“Schools in the village are already oversubscribed, you can’t get an NHS dentist and parking is a nightmare.”

Redrow has owned the land since 1990 but an exclusion zone imposed due to the nearby Orica depot, used to store dynamite, prevented building on the site.

However Orica have indicated that they may change the use of the depot to store less dangerous material, which could reduce the size of the exclusion zone.

The field has been used for community events such as a marquee and firework display, and is a popular spot for dog walkers and children.

Clr Chris Vobe (Lab - Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft) added: "I am pleased to be able to stand alongside residents to oppose any plans by Redrow to build on the land adjacent to Doeford Close.

"Twenty six properties on this land would simply not be sustainable, and it doesn't take much to see that Redrow are simply out to make a fast buck. This estate already suffers from traffic problems, and along with nearby Twiss Green Lane, is congested at peak times.

“Redrow seem to be giving little thought to the overdevelopment of Culcheth. The only thing that is on their radar is turning one of the most admired parts of the village into a concrete jungle."

The residents will have the chance to put their cases to a planning meeting in August, and council bosses will reach a decision in September.

The deadline for objections to be submitted is Friday.

To view Eleanor’s page visit facebook.com and search fight-4-our-field.

Comments(15)

birdybird says...
1:00pm Tue 10 Jul 12

I remember opposing the Red Row development & little london, all these house's destroyed Culcheth village and turned it into an overpriced town, whats another 26 houses to a place that sold its youth clubs to housing developers.

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Field Fighter says...
10:53am Wed 11 Jul 12

I've lived in Culcheth since 1982 and I against this development.

Facebook page here http://www.facebook.
com/pages/Fight-4-Ou
r-Field/340554329357
237?sk=likes

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Doggie says...
11:09am Wed 11 Jul 12

The original Redrow development of 250 houses re-developed the old Newchuch Hospital which would have been left derelict if it hadn't been for the Redrw build at that time. They did an excellent job of retaining many of the old buildings.
This new development is a totally unnecessary development of greenfields which goes against the WBC core housing development strategy. Culcheth Village does not need these houses. The amenities are already overstreteched.

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Doggie says...
11:43am Wed 11 Jul 12

If you would like to object to this Redrow Development then you can submit an objection on the WBC website:
http://212.248.237.1
23/swiftlg/apas/run/
wphmakerep.displayUR
L?ApnID=2012/20175

Jusr Register your details and then you can lodge your objection with comments.

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birdybird says...
5:13pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Its a shame they arent building affordable accomodation that people from Culcheth could afford or a youthclub on the land, but Goodluck anyway.

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Wires71 says...
8:03pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Read Here
http://www.warringto
nguardian.co.uk/news
/9807452.Fight_on_to
_save_Culcheth_field
/

Like Here
http://www.facebook.
com/pages/Fight-4-Ou
r-Field/340554329357
237

Object Here
http://212.248.237.1
23/swiftlg/apas/run/
wphmakerep.displayUR
L?ApnID=2012/20175

Report this post »

Wires71 says...
10:23pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Just in case the WBC are reading I know for a fact that we will seek a judicial review if planning consent is granted to an area currently protected under a Grade 2 Explosive Risk area. What is worse the WBC seek to grant permission when Orica are already in breach of Health and Safety Executive and have been given a improvement order due to dangerous storage of explosives. You could not make it up. What our council will do for a backhander.


http://www.hse.gov.u
k/notices/notices/No
tice_details.asp?SF=
CN&SV=303690218

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Notahappychappy says...
10:55pm Wed 11 Jul 12

With an over supply of property,in WBC and so many potholes on the roads (that were never designed for the current traffic levels ) Redrow would be affecting hundreds of Residents in Culcheth with their heavy construction traffic whilst building and leave a legacy of longer waiting lists for any service in the village. How can it make sense?

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Wires71 says...
12:09am Thu 12 Jul 12

Helen Jones MP seems happy to campaign about housing development in Houghton Green. Will she help the Culcheth residents?

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pulpstones says...
7:26am Thu 12 Jul 12

I was born in Culcheth, this field has never had buildings on it since records began. Before Redrow it was a sports field used by the Daten. The present Doeford Close has replaced Newchurch hospital buildings, Pendle Gardens replaced SRD buildings, surely the Council would not give up a greenfield site to developers?

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nothing_but_the_truth says...
9:08am Thu 12 Jul 12

Not to mention they are trying to build it on a flood plain...with all the weather and climate change we are having!!!!
The policies were put in place for a reason, not so housing companies can do secret deals with the council to make money. Lets hope this planning process is honest and transparent and documents don't go "missing" again at the WBC!!!

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Greenbeltsaver says...
10:42am Thu 12 Jul 12

birdybird wrote:
I remember opposing the Red Row development & little london, all these house's destroyed Culcheth village and turned it into an overpriced town, whats another 26 houses to a place that sold its youth clubs to housing developers.
Redrow are cashing in on yet another green belt area to line their own pockets with no thoughts to the surrounding areas. Already too much traffic without another possible 60/70 vehicles to pass through a one way in and out road structure!!

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suzannet says...
12:38pm Thu 12 Jul 12

its a joke...why build on green open spaces? i agree they did a great job on the old newchurch hospital site but they were converting old buildings...culcheth is fast becoming its own town...bring back the village life!!!

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Dave56 says...
6:54pm Fri 13 Jul 12

The land in debate here is the former football field and cricket field of Newchurch hospital. Redrow removed these facilities when they took ownership of the hospital site - but at least left the land in its 'green' form. It would be a real shame to lose it after all these years.

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Doggie says...
5:40pm Tue 17 Jul 12

Anyone who has walked in or around this greenfield land will know that the area is rich in wildlife. We regularly see Hedgehogs, Squirrels, pheasants, kestrel, buzzards, lapwing, rabbits, hares, bats, moles, grouse, as well as the smaller birds such as wrens, blue tits, great tits, yellow hammers, robins, chaffinch, nuthatch etc. etc. Where are they going to go when there are 26 houses in their space!!!

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