THE on-off saga of a masterplan for Penketh has taken another turn with a borough councillor admitting officials will be looking at the ‘art of the possible’ to give the area something to be proud of for the next 50 years.

The ambitious plan for the Honiton Way site could involve a hub-style development incorporating Penketh Parish Council’s swimming pool and community centre, the nearby youth club, Penketh Library, a medical centre and a pharmacy.

David Keane, a borough and parish councillor, told a packed Penketh Parish Council meeting on Wednesday that preliminary talks had taken place between himself, Warrington Borough Council (WBC) chief executive Steven Broomhead and senior council officials.

The next step will be to set up a working group involving the two councils and LiveWire, which runs the town’s libraries.

Cllr Keane said: “There are two issues that are separate but connected – the library and the buildings the parish council is responsible for.

“The library is not a parish council issue. It is a statutory responsibility of the borough but is has suffered from years of neglect and under-investment.”

Last year, the parish council started looking at a regeneration plan for just the parish pool, community centre and surrounding area and Cllr Keane said: “The fabric of the [parish council] buildings is run down, the buildings are tired.

“We have to invest in our property – not to invest is not an option.

“We need to come up with a vision to take to the people of Penketh and the working group, with borough council officials, will be looking at the art of the possible. We need to give Penketh something to be proud of for the next 50 years.”

He added that other parts of the town had a ‘hub’ and said Penketh should have one as well, including a medical centre and pharmacy.

Linda Dirir, who is also a parish and borough councillor, said: “These buildings are 60 years old. The library is not double glazed and the question is do we move it or try to update it.

“We are absolutely committed to retaining a library service in Penketh but can’t commit to retaining it in its current building.”

The original ‘masterplan’ dates from 2016 when an external company was brought in to investigate the possibility of regenerating the entire area including the shops on Honiton Square.

That plan failed when the owner of the commercial properties declined to get involved.

And recently, a plan by popular pig farming company Snoutwood Trotters to open a cafe in the library was rejected by the borough council because it was considered too costly to carry out the necessary conversion work.

WBC confirmed the role of the new group will be to consider the delivery of a vision for community facilities and the development of a masterplan for the area.

A spokesman added: “An initial partnership group will be formed comprising the parish council, WBC and other local partners from the private and public sector.

“The group’s first meeting will be chaired by Professor Steven Broomhead.”