WARRINGTON Borough Council has joined campaigners in calling for a rethink over plans to hold the new Peel Hall public inquiry virtually.

An appeal against the council’s decision to refuse developer Satnam’s 1,200-home masterplan for the Houghton Green site was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate and secretary of state in December 2018.

However, the decision was quashed in the High Court last year – meaning the inquiry must be held again.

Due to current coronavirus restrictions, it has been confirmed that the Planning Inspectorate intends to reopen the public inquiry remotely from September 14.

This is the inspectorate’s default position in light of the pandemic, with alternative arrangements only being made in exceptional circumstances.

But Town Hall chiefs and campaigners consider the rationale for a physical inquiry into Peel Hall to be exceptional and reasonable given the history of the site and believe there is a clear public expectation for continued matters over the site to be considered in a consistent way.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “I would like to respectfully ask the Planning Inspectorate to review their decision for this inquiry to be done digitally.

“To alter the process now for members of the public, particularly those who are already familiar with it, runs the risk of becoming a barrier to participation for many people.

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Russ Bowden

“This matter has been ongoing for more than 30 years and so, in my view, the stakes are too high to continue with the intention of a digital inquiry.

“I’m confident alternative, safe arrangements can be made to ensure that a physical inquiry would be able to go ahead.”

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead has also written to planning inspector Christina Downes to express his concerns.

Meanwhile, Save Peel Hall campaigners have spoken out after the news about the inquiry, which is expected to run for up to 10 days.

Wendy Johnson-Taylor confirmed the group has been granted Rule 6 status, which means campaigners will take on a more active role in inquiry proceedings, alongside the council and Satnam.

She said: “Becoming a Rule 6 party is quite rare and an extreme thing to take on but we can offer significant value to the inquiry process.

“This status is only granted in exceptional circumstances so I am dumbfounded as to why our 30 years of successful fighting, massive public support and the huge complexity of this proposal didn’t meet the criteria for a public hearing.”

Fellow campaigner Jim Sullivan says it is difficult to see how an electronic process could justify the requirements of a public inquiry.

He added: “Nevertheless, we need the public to get involved as much as possible.

“If we cannot overturn the decision to hold our inquiry electronically, then the next best thing will be to use the medium to ensure that the inspector understands the strength of local feeling.”

The group understands that the digital system can accommodate up to 400 people at a time and that sessions will be initially limited to just one and a half hours.

The campaign group has sent letters to Mr Broomhead and Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols urging them to legally challenge the inspectorate’s decision over the virtual inquiry.