Articles by steve

The following two applications will be considered at Horwich Town Council, Thursday 24 June at 7.15pm

1 Extension of permission 50252/97 until 2042  

        Pilkington quarry 83999/10

        Objection 83999/10

       Environmental Judgement

        EV1

        EV2

        EV3

2 Extension of Quarry, and aggregate recycling.

    Pilkington Quarry 84065/10

    84065/10 Objection letter

The Council has had under consideration an application for the extension of quarry operations, including aggregate recycling facility at Pilkington Quarry, Makinson Lane, Off Georges Lane, Horwich,  Bolton (Application No. 80931/08).

After due consideration the Council refused permission for the following reasons:

“ 1.       Insufficient information has been provided by the applicant particularly with regard to         the;

• Details of restoration proposals, (including details of amount and type of materials to be used for said restoration,);
• Full environmental impact of the development
• The impact of the importation of waste restoration material on the hydrology and hydrogeology on surface water drainage and local water supplies;
• Need for infill at the proposed levels;
• The assessment and treatment of possible contaminated materials and their remediation;

            To enable the proposal to be properly judged against the policies M3, M5, W1, W2 and W3           of Bolton’s Unitary Development Plan.

1. The proposed development would lead to an increase in the level of HGV traffic to and from the site which would unduly affect the living conditions of nearby residents and is therefore contrary to Policy A5 of Bolton’s Unitary Development Plan.

1. The proposed development by virtue of its siting, size and nature is likely to unduly affect the wildlife interest of the site and its surroundings by reason of loss or disturbance to natural habitats, wildlife and landscape features and is therefore contrary to Policies N1, N2, N5 and N9 of Bolton’s Unitary Development Plan.

1. The proposed development by virtue of its siting, size and nature is likely to unduly affect the living conditions of nearby residents by reason of incompatible activities resulting in adverse levels of noise, smells, dust or other pollution and traffic movements, contrary to Policies EM2, EM3 and EM12 and N1, N2, N5 and N9 of Bolton’s Unitary Development Plan.

1. The proposed development by virtue of its siting, size and nature is likely to result in an adverse visual impact on the unique character and appearance of the moorland setting of the site contrary to Policies R1 and R5 of Bolton’s Unitary Development Plan”.

The appellant has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the Council’s decision and it has been agreed that the Appeal is to be dealt with by a public inquiry.  This means that as an owner or occupier of property near the Appeal site you may, if you so wish, state your views in person or through a representative at the inquiry or if you do not wish to attend the inquiry you may state your views in writing on the Appeal.  Any comments which you may have should be sent (three copies), to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 4/02, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol. BS1 6PN., quoting the reference APP/N4205/A/10/2127567/WF to be received by the 9th July, 2010.  If representations are received after this date, they will not normally be seen by the Inspector and they will be returned.

grounds of appeal

A response has also been received concerning our 20 complaints, which we are considering

We would like to congratulate Friends of Lever Park, on the findings by the Local Government Ombudsman against Chorley Borough Council

6 counts of maladministration

2 counts of injustice

This unfortunately does not reverse the planning decision and the injustice that this causes, including effectively closing the bridleway on Sundays.

A new application regarding the Lever Park site is expected shortly, so please watch out on the approach to Christmas and make your opinion count.

Over the last few months, various planning applications have resulted in  residents coming together and fighting for the community. Many have formed  residents groups – something that we would encourage.

We welcome the formation of 

                          The Friends of Lever Park,

                          The  Arcon Village Residents Association,

                          The  Horwich Moor Residents Association,

                          The Montcliffe Residents Association.

     Together we can make a positive difference

I am reminded of a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

“First they came for the communists,

          and I did not speak out

         —because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the trade unionists,

          and I did not speak out

         —because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews,

          and I did not speak out

          —because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me

      —and there was no one left to speak out for me

If you need support to speak out, contact us with total confidentiality at BHEAG@Hotmail.co.uk

There will be a meeting for “friends of Lever Park” and their supporters on Thursday the 10th December 2009, it will be held at HORWICH CONSERVATIVE CLUB, Church Street Horwich, with an 8-00pm start.

Agenda: (i) Report on the Ombudsman’s final decision.

(ii) Report on complaint made to the Information Commissioners Office.

(iii) Outlining our intentions following the final decision by the LGO

(iv) A-O-B

In 1973 agricultural land was transformed into the Greenbarn Way estate.

As part of the process it was agreed that the land could only be used for residential properties and would contain a number of open spaces.

Due to increase in population it was deemed that the community centre car park needed to be enlarged. As such a parcel of land was given to the council specifically to enlarge the Community Centre Car Park. This forms part of the required open space on the estate. It is on this land that the applicant wishes to build.

The open plan design of the estate would be comprimised by the fencing around the building

Approximately 25% of the already over utilised carpark would be lost. The carpark is frequently used for community support, eg blood donations.