I HAVE responded to Warrington Borough Council about the Local Plan using their standard response form.

I have attached for your interest a copy of question one.

‘Question: Do you have any comments to make about how we have worked out the need for new homes and employment land in Warrington over the next 20 years?’ ‘Response: Only another qualified town planner can answer this question. Methodology is not known to the general public.

‘Therefore this exercise cannot be regarded as public consultation.’ You will see that only another town planner can answer the question, not a member of the general public.

I have responded accordingly with the comment that this exercise cannot be regarded as a public consultation.

Of the 17 questions, four are like this.

My main disagreement is that the local plan requires the release of so much green belt land – which should be retained as is.

My suggestion is a local plan on a smaller scale.

We do not need to change from a town to a city.

The local plan has not been widely publicised and I believe many people are not aware of it.

Also the timing is bad, when many people are away on holiday.

Additionally, the consultant that Warrington Borough Council has engaged to carry out this work is AECOM – which is a huge international company.

One wonders if a local company could have been engaged at less cost, and with more local knowledge?

Warrington Borough Council is trying to push through a huge vanity scheme which people, those who are aware of it, do not want – particularly those in south Warrington.

I hope the Warrington Guardian will support the people of Warrington in opposing this local plan.

R WARD Higher Walton