Frustrations raised over delayed broadband roll out in Burtonwood

COUNCIL leader Terry O'Neill has spoken of his frustration over the delayed roll out of fibre-optic broadband in Burtonwood.

Cllr O'Neill (Burtonwood and Westbrook - LAB) has been campaigning for years to secure faster internet speeds for residents.

Last week, the Warrington Guardian reported on the postcode lottery residents face as the scheme is rolled out over the coming months.

Cllr O'Neill has organised a meeting with BT Openreach this week in order to try to push the case for a quicker connection into Burtonwood village

He said: “I have been trying for the last two to three years to get the residents in Burtonwood connected up to fibre-optic broadband but dealing with BT has been very frustrating.

"What is confusing in all this is that Burtonwood village has been moved from Connecting Cheshire, which we as a council contributed £1m to, to BT Commercial Roll-Out.

"When I have asked the question why or when and who made this decision no-one at BT will answer.

"I have also asked BT for a map of the village so I can understand where the cabinets are and which areas of the village they serve and connect but again I have had a negative response from BT.”

 

BLUEPRINTS to build a solar energy farm have been refused.

Planning experts described the proposed development as an 'inappropriate development' in the green belt.

The applicant had also failed to demonstrate that the proposed use of agricultural land is necessary and could not be accommodated on previously developed, non-agricultural land outside of the green belt.

SEP Solar is seeking planning permission to build a renewable energy park on the land south of Joy Lane and west of Wright's Lane.

The solar farm would generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,515 homes, it had been claimed.

But the energy produced will be sold to nearby businesses in both the private and public sector.

In the documents, the developer states that the proposed building work would be of 'low visual impact' and the site will be returned to its former agricultural use once the project has been completed.

It is also reported that - should the developer be given the green light to construct the solar park - there will be a 'significant positive benefit to the council and public-sector employers.

 

Burtonwood childminder praised by Ofsted

A BURTONWOOD childminder has been praised by an education watchdog for creating strong partnerships with parents and for providing healthy and balanced food options.

Ada Lynn Mayne, of Dorchester Way, Burtonwood, was graded as good across the board following an inspection by Ofsted on July 28.

The childminder was commended for the quality of the teaching she provides.

Inspector Jeanette Brookfield wrote: "The childminder has completed a recognised qualification since her last inspection which has improved her knowledge and understanding of how children learn.

"She continues to access further training and completes her own research."

Regular information is also shared with parents about the activities their children enjoy, which supports the youngsters’ learning at home.

Mrs Brookfield added: "The childminder provides good opportunities for children to become familiar with technology and understand how this can be used to retrieve information."

She missed out on the highest rating of outstanding because she does not use every opportunity to promote children's understanding that print has meaning to help develop their early reading skills.

It was also noted that during some creative activities, children are overly directed by the childminder, which does not fully support them to be imaginative, develop their own ideas and represent objects as they see them.

 

Health hazard on popular dog walking route

THE granddaughter of an Old Hall man has called on the council to clean up a popular dog walking route.

Abbie O'Dea has spoken of her fear that her grandfather could be injured due to the mess left behind Nansen Close.

The 20-year-old said: "My grandfather is blind and walks our dog along this path daily.

"The branches left around are very sharp and long and are too heavy for people to move on their own.

"It is a health hazard to people like my grandparents."