Planners approve controversial town centre apartment block plan

CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a disused roller skating rink in Warrington town centre and replace it with an apartment block providing 144 one and two bedroomed flats has been given the green light by planners.

Members voted to approve the application despite opposition from nearby St Mary’s Church who said the development would be totally out of character with the local conservation area.

Father Konrad Loewenstein attended the meeting to voice opposition due to the size and style of the development which he said would impact on the landmark church which carrie dout shrine activities which could be traced back 2,000 years.

He said the proposed building was “far too high” and totally out of keeping with other buildings in the area which were Victorian or Georgian and the Gothic church building.

Cllr Les Morgan also expressed concerns over fire safety issues, with no sprinkler alarm system in the current proposals.

But speaking in support of the application ward Cllr Tom Jennings said the vision for Warrington was to repopulate the town centre to help it “regenerate and thrive”.

The building – formerly a Kwiksave supermarket in Academy Street and more recently a Skate Academy– will now make way for a mix of one and two-bed properties, together with ancillary accommodation and 88 car parking spaces.

Part of the ground floor will be used for retailing while there will also be roof top open space for people to sit out.

Members of the borough’s development management committee deferred a decision previously after some councillors expressed disappointment the scheme did not include provision for affordable home. During last night’s debate there was no mention of the lack of affordable homes – although part of the meeting was held in private (Part 2).

Two letters of objection have been received claiming the appearance of the building would be mediocre, with no architectural merit, that it would be incongruous in its surroundings and would have a detrimental impact on an area of architectural and historic interest.

All the flats would be for rent – but there is no provision for affordable homes.

Officers said the building would be acceptable in the area and recommended the scheme be approved.

The post Planners approve controversial town centre apartment block plan appeared first on Warrington Worldwide.

from Warrington Worldwide https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2018/06/28/planners-approve-controversial-town-centre-apartment-block-plan/
via Aerials in Warrington