Chris pictured above with local residents on the steps of Wallasey Town Hall
Tonight I was at Wirral’s Planning committee to represent residents opposed to the two further planning applications submitted by the operator of the of the Moreton Brickworks to extend for two years the screening and crushing operation on the site, whilst at the same time delaying the restoration until 2011.
I am delighted that the whole planning committee united and voted unanimously to REFUSE the applications. This decision by the planning committee is a victory for the residents who took on the Council and this operator who has for the last five years made their lives hell.
Today, Wirral’s Planning Committee has gone some way to restoring the faith of local communities who have made it clear that their views, fears and concerns should be taken into account when the Council determines any planning applications.
It is now up to the Councils Planning Enforcement Team to make sure that the site operator complies with the conditions laid down in 2003 which state quite clearly that the site restoration must be completed by March 2009. I will be checking with them weekly to make sure they are doing just that.
Thanks to all those residents who signed the petititions, those who sent in letters of objection, those who helped in other ways, and to those who gave their time tonight to attend the meeting at the Town Hall.
Read more by clicking here, or watch the webcast of the meeting by clicking here then select meeting 8th May
Excellent news Chris- a testament to your hard work and perseverance. You truely give us hope that anything can be salvaged and anything is possible if you fight hard enough!
On the subject of unwanted planning applications could I draw your attention to the mast issue in Moreton? (as well as Pensby, Heswall and Claughton as this truely affected many areas of the Wirral) I believe the current situation to be most unsatisfactory – the council refused to authorise a police investigation despite the fact that there were unanswerred questions over who was responsible for what and whether or not there was any wrongdoing – how on earth could Knight conclude there was no evidence of wrongdoing when he didn’t even get to interview the person who made the “mistake”? All these and other questions have not been resolved Chris, and to add insult to injury we hear that the development control department that was responsible has taken what can only be described as weak disciplinary action against its staff. There’s no doubt in a lot of peoples’minds that there should have either been a police investigation, or failing that, a resignation. The fact neither has heppened is disgraceful.
I know you were looking at revocation or discontinuance of the application which was thrown out at the time – will this be reintroduced when you take control.. or some other type of action on this matter? You have to agree the current situation is not good enough. There are people like the woman featured in the Globe who may have to move out of their house in order to recover their quality of life, due to her wearing a pcemaker. I think a lot of people will back you on this one, Chris.
Hi Pete
Yes great victory tonight. As for the rest lots of ifs and buts there, but one thing you can be sure of is that I have not given up on the Mast issue and will continue to explore each and every avenue open to me.
Thanks Chris, I realise that this issue doesn’t get solved overnight, but many people still feel angry about this issue. I don’t really think the masts are harmful in the sense that some people believe they are, but I do think that these masts were not wanted by the community, and of course they can lower house values. We’re reasonably “fortunate” in that we live approximately 300m away from the one on Hoylake rd, but other people have it right on their doorstep!