MY understanding is that in 2009, Warrington Borough Council commissioned a strategy for Sankey Valley Park.

Any scheme that would improve our existing park facilities is to be welcomed and I am all in favour of creating additional amenities.

However, when the details of this new plan are scrutinised, the alarm bells start to ring.

Sankey Valley Park is a publicly-owned and funded facility and therefore readily accessible to the public at zero cost. However, the detailed proposals in this plan primarily focus on the future development of Sankey Valley for use by a private company, namely Gulliver’s theme park.

There is a long list of proposed developments, the majority of which will presumably be owned by Gulliver’s and therefore chargeable.

Personally, I believe that an Alton Towers lookalike in the very heart of an urban, residential area is neither appropriate nor reasonable.

I have no problem with Gulliver’s spending time, effort and money with consultants to develop a business expansion strategy, but I strongly object to the residents of Warrington funding it through this plan. This detailed planning document is nothing other than a business expansion plan for Gulliver’s apparently funded by taxpaying Warringtonians.

Much is made of the potential benefits to residents, but I’m not convinced that too many Warringtonians will want to pay for accommodation in the proposed camp site, caravan park, lodges and a hotel.

I want some explanations as to why a detailed and costly planning strategy document that has minimal benefit to residents and maximum benefit to Gulliver’s has apparently been funded by the taxpayers of Warrington.

Warringtonians presently own this vast open green space, but if these plans go ahead, then presumably, we no longer will.

W I SPURR Old Hall