I WRITE to defend one of the many targets Patrick Mullee had in his sights in his letter to the Warrington Guardian (March 16), namely Stockton Heath Parish Council.

As he well knows from the days when he used to attend meetings, the parish council only has an advisory role in planning applications.

Decisions are taken by Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee made up of 12 councillors, only three of whom are from wards south of the ship canal.

In any case that committee is bound by strict conditions on how it can make judgements.

In the many years I have served on planning committees at both parish and borough level, local councillors have objected to the proliferation of restaurants and bars, on the grounds of over-supply.

We realise the large number of such uses mitigates against the daytime viability of the village.

Yet recently two more applications were approved for cafes 75 metres apart in London Road.

As for parking, petitions with thousands of signatures, meetings and leaflets have told the borough council how unfair it is that its car parks in Lymm and Stockton Heath are suffering from increased charges while its car parks in other parts of Warrington are still free.

And food waste – did Patrick Mullee ask his parish councillor to intervene?

Or is it just easier to moan to the local paper?

If Mr Mullee can come up with any remedies that we have not tried on these matters perhaps he would share them for our mutual benefit.

CELIA JORDAN Stockton Heath parish councillor