Volume 3 Issue 4

WINCHAM WORD

WINCHAM URBAN VILLAGE AKA WINCHAM PARK By Kenton Barker

The outline planning application for Wincham Urban Village was made public on the CWaC website at the end of May. Not surprisingly, there has been considerable interest from Wincham residents in this development and in view of feedback to the Parish Council two councillors held drop in sessions during July to show the extent of the development to villagers. The Parish Council’s planning sub-committee has met a couple of times to discuss the application; on one occasion with the case officer Paul Friston and another with representatives from Emery planning and the development consortium. The Parish Plan Implementation Group, within whose remit this development also sits, has met with Jeremy Owens, Spatial Planning Manager at CWaC.

The proposal for a Wincham Urban village was first brought to the attention of the Parish Council in 2004 and at that time comprised a mix of housing and commercial developments with a marina and much improvement to the road infrastructure with the main access and egress of the site from New Road.

In the intervening years Emery Planning and the developers have drastically revised their plans for the area. Gone is most of the commercial area; in has come additional housing together with a relocation of the access and egress from the site.

Originally the development was to accommodate 650 houses; this has been increased to 1050. Wincham Parish Council has inspected the planning application in detail and has expressed its concerns to West and which include:

The scale of the development and lack of proposed new infrastructure to support its scale. As Wincham School is rated as outstanding by OFSTED it is likely to be a popular choice yet it will still have to rent dining space and kitchen and has no sports hall; it will be the first choice school without funding to cope with the increased demand. Lack of integration of the development with Wincham as a whole. Traffic congestion along Chapel Street and Church Street Chapel Street will be next to a large scale building site for at least 12 years. There has been a 75% increase in the number of new homes from the plans shown to residents during the consultation period in 2004.

A public meeting to discuss the development was held at Wincham Community Centre on 17 August hosted by Wincham Parish Council. We felt that the community deserved a chance to have their say with the developers and the local Cheshire West and Chester Councillors in attendance. Villagers turned out in large numbers and issues that they felt strongly about were highlighted. The main topics raised were:

Where will demand for the new housing come from? The potential number of buy to let properties. How will the design of the buildings fit with the distinctive character of Wincham. Planning timeline The increase in traffic along Chapel Street and in the local area. Impact on Wincham Community Primary School. Ecological and environmental concerns.

All these issues and others were debated at length. A number of residents asked the development consortium to respect local people’s views. As a result of the discussions and perceived priorities from residents a representative of the consortium agreed to review the flow of traffic through Chapel Street and also to reconsider the phasing of the link road through the site. Many of the other concerns raised will be taken into consideration at the reserved matters stage of the planning application which will follow the decision to grant outline permission.

Wincham Parish Council is working hard on your behalf, should you want to make a comment to the Parish Council please contact our Clerk (details on the back page).

Please write to the planning officer quoting Application Number: 11/01968/OUT stating clearly if you are objecting, supporting or commenting. Include your name and address. Email is fine too. Mr Paul Friston (Planning Officer) Development Management Cheshire West and Chester Council Wyvern House The Drumber CW7 1AH Tel: 01244 977716 [email protected] Photographs showing the proposed site courtesy of Ian Woodward. ON THE FRONT LINE By Pete O’Halloran

On Monday 1 August I was afforded the opportunity to accompany our PCSO Phil Hambleton on patrol in our village. Phil’ss shift started at 4pm and his first action was to run a speed check on Church Street: once set up it was not long before the first speeding car was caught doing 39mph followed by a steady stream of speeding motorists some travelling in excess of 40mph.

From my perspective it was disappointing to see the number of cars speeding which had young children as passengers. As parents how would these people feel if their child was hit by a speeding car? Remember it’s not always the motorist’s fault, but the chances of survival increase dramatically if a child who has run out into the road is hit at 30mph compared to 40mph.

On the plus side I was encouraged by the number of people who passed by and offered their support, indeed as a convoy of cars came past at 27mph (obviously warned by a car going the other way) I was particularly struck by a comment from one parent who said ‘if it was always like this’ he’d be happy to let his children walk to school. He was right, standing on the pavement with cars going by at below 30mph Church Street had a totally different feel to it. Speed limits are there for a reason and Phil will be out on a regular basis running speed checks in various locations in the village.

We packed the equipment away and were en route to a resident to take details with regards to a neighbour dispute when Phil received a call about a vehicle blocking the pavement. As we were walking to the scene it was interesting to see Phil enter the incident number into a PDA (palmtop computer) and all the details immediately come up, once at the vehicle Phil was also able to enter the registration number into the same PDA to get the owner’s address.

Once this had been dealt with it was back to the neighbour dispute, from there it was onto another resident who had been receiving scam phone calls from India, by now it was gone 8pm and I left Phil to the rest of his shift.

Whilst not having the drama of some of the police reality programmes on television it was still interesting to see Phil go about his duties on our behalf and I would like to thank Phil and the residents who allowed me to be present. I was subsequently informed by Phil that 60 motorists had been caught breaking the law all of whom would be receiving prosecution notices. CHAIRMAN’S WORDS Kenton Barker

It is a busy time at present for Wincham Parish Council, with the Parish Councillors working for you in a number of different areas. This issue of Wincham Word illustrates just some aspects of recent activities: supporting our local PCSO and promoting the use of the speed cameras and road safety within Wincham; arguing against the proposed incinerator in , which would have potential health effects on the residents of Wincham.

In addition to these items we listened to Wincham residents’ concerns over the proposed construction of 1050 new homes off Chapel Street and organised a public meeting with the developers. This took the form of a question and answer session held at Wincham Community Centre. I hope those of you who attended found the meeting informative. Following the Parish Council’s initial comments to the case officer at CWaC, a more detailed and informed response to the outline planning application will be written and sent. Should you have any positive or negative views over the development I would urge you to bring these to the attention of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department.

Many thanks to all the contributors to this bumper edition of the Word, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Neighbourhood Watch meeting on 28 September. I would like to thank Diane Palin at the school and Enam at the Bengal Dynasty for the use of their facilities free of charge for many recent meetings. WINCHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE

Registered Charity No: 510439 Available for: Parties, Meetings and Social Groups. Rooms Sizes: Clubroom—Up to 20 People, Committee Room - Up to 12 People, Main Hall - Up to 250 People Why not book your child’s party here?

Contact: Suzanne James 01565 733193

New Karate Club meeting on Sundays between 6pm and 8 pm. Suitable for age 6 upwards. Contact Mr Harrison: 01606 350314 Old Friend’s Club - 1st Saturday in every month. A social group for the retired with a variety of activities. Contact: Mrs Greenwood - 01606 44185 Wednesday Club : A social group for the retired with a variety of activities. Contact: Jean Pomfret - 01565 733325

Several dance groups also use the Community Centre. For more details please see village noticeboards. LEARN SOMETHING NEW! Mid Cheshire College’s Adult Education team have organised a Drawing and Watercolour Painting for Beginners Class at Wincham Community Centre, starting on Wednesday 21 September at 9.30am – 12pm for 10 weeks. Fee is only £41 (half the normal course fee). To enrol or for more info go to www.midchesh.ac.uk or ring 01606 74444 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH MEETING WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 7 PM WINCHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE

Wherever you live, you are part of a community. It may be large or small, in a town or in the country. Unfortunately, regardless of its size, your community may experience crime.

It’s easy to shrug it off and assume that it won’t happen to you or that nothing can be done. In fact, a great deal can be done to prevent crime. But the police cannot do it alone. Each of us has a vital role to play by becoming actively involved in crime prevention. Residents of a community possess a specialised knowledge of their neighbourhood which even the local Police Community Support Office or Neighbourhood Police Officer may find hard to achieve. A police officer will not recognise someone in your garden as a stranger but your neighbour might. It is this kind of awareness and willingness to help that is the basis of Neighbourhood Watch or Home Watch. By letting police know of anything suspicious you see or hear, you are helping to reduce the opportunities for crime to occur. The more difficult it can be made for criminals, the more likely it is that crime can be reduced.

Neighbourhood Watch, sometimes known as Home Watch, is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Behind it lies a simple idea, and a central value shared by millions of people around the country, that getting together with your neighbours to take action can cut local crime and that Neighbourhood Watch can create a better place to live, work and play. Neighbourhood Watch is not just about reducing burglary figures – it’s about creating communities that care. It brings local people together and can make a real contribution to improving their lives. The activity of Watch members can foster a new community spirit and a belief in the community’s ability to tackle problems. At the same time, you feel secure, knowing your neighbours are keeping an eye on your property. PARISH PLAN UPDATE By Brenda Yates & Louise Henchall

Wincham to Pickmere footpath improvements - a step nearer!

A joint venture between Wincham and Pickmere Parish Plan Implementation Groups and the two Parish Councils is making good progress.

The original idea emerged from the villages’ Parish Plans - Wincham residents requested improvements to public footpaths whilst Pickmere families wanted a safe route to school for their children. The suggestion was to improve the footpath which runs between Earles Lane, Wincham and Mere Lane, Pickmere – the closest footpath to Rayners Corner, just around the corner from Wincham Primary School. This path gives Wincham residents good pedestrian access to Pickmere Lake, along a pleasant route through fields and hedges and with rural views across to and over the waters of Pickmere.

Since this footpath is a Public Right of Way (PRoW), we have been fortunate to have the support of the Cheshire West and Chester Network Officer, Stephen Holden, who has agreed to use part of his budget for the improvements. The plan is to resurface the path and to consider the suitability of the stiles along the route, with dog waste bins provided at either end.

Wincham PPIG hosted a Family Cinema Event in May. Although it was the bank holiday weekend, and many people in the village were away, the turnout was pretty good for a first event. The film shown was a new release called ‘Rio’ and it was loved by children and adults alike. Feedback from the residents who attended was very positive, all who voiced an opinion welcomed future family focused events. The PPIG are considering arranging another Family Film Event later in the year, date to be advised. On behalf of the Wincham PPIG I would like to say thank you to all those villagers who supported the event. SLIDE REFURBISHMENT By Alison Dunabin & Pete O’Halloran

Many people will have noticed that the slide on the Linnards Lane Playing Field has been refurbished much quicker than anticipated. The Parish Council was delighted to receive a donation from David Hewitt on behalf of Thor Specialities for the entire cost of the project.. The work has been carried out for the benefit of the village children. Very many grateful thanks to Thor for this generous donation.

Unfortunately during the course of the work certain children tried to damage the improvements. Luckily the newly painted slide and surface which was laid survived unscathed. However the local builder’s security fence was badly damaged.

The money for the playing field upkeep comes from the Parish Council precept (your money) and we were able this year to decrease your contributions but there is a heavy demand on the funds that we have and we can ill afford to pay for incidents such as this. Could all parents please ask their children if they know the people behind this and let PCSO Phil Hambleton know? Or if you would prefer please contact the clerk or a member of the Parish Council (contact details on back page). WINCHAM SCHOOL HAS HAD A FANTASTIC YEAR!! By Diane Palin

The children have worked very hard with the majority making good and in many cases accelerated progress. The Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs results remained high again this year and in all areas were either above or well above the National Average. Our Year 2 children did extremely well with 91% at Level 2 plus for Reading, 87% for Writing and 96% for Maths. At level 3 which is above the National average the children achieved 63% for Reading, 35% for Writing and 58% for Maths.

Our Year 6 children have continued to work extremely hard throughout their time at Wincham School and this has well and truly paid off. They achieved 97% at Level 4 plus for Reading, 97% for Writing and 97% for English and Maths overall. At level 5 which is above the National average the children achieved an amazing 85% for Reading, 44% for Writing and 52% for Maths.

Well done to all the children for their hard work and positive attitude to learning and to the staff for the high quality teaching and learning they have delivered over the past seven years. The school staff continues to make Wincham School an exciting and wonderful place to work and play. The accolades keep coming as our children achieve in Sport, Music, Dance and Public Speaking.

Our Links with Njoro DEB in Kenya have been strengthened further and our new National link with ‘The Valley’ Primary School in Bolton has begun. The school buildings and grounds are providing a quality environment which has enhanced the learning experiences for the children.

However to be recognised by OFSTED as an ‘Outstanding’ School was the icing on the cake. And as a school we will continue to work hard to maintain this highest of rankings within the field of Education. Forever Onwards and Upwards!

What an Excellent Year we have had!!!!!!!!!

Athletics Team at the Kenyan Link Schools Sports Primary Youth Speaks Champions - Wincham School! Festival WHAT’S SID BEEN UP TO NOW? By Geoff Eden Firstly, a massive thanks for everyone’s continued support! Yes together we have defeated the RRS proposal to build a waste incinerator in Wincham. Together we have managed to oppose the Viridor proposal to build a Waste plant in Lostock, the traffic that RRS would have generated on the A559 would still exist to bring waste to the plant.

We now, however, have the very real threat of Tata building the largest incinerator in the country in Lostock with the resulting traffic, environment and health issues we have fought so hard to reject within Wincham. On our doorstep, within three years just down the road in Lostock we have the potential for over a million tonnes of waste to be processed if all these plants are built; less than 20% of the waste will be from Cheshire. In effect we will be solving other counties’ waste problems and will become an epicentre for waste treatment in the UK, an accolade which I’m sure none of us wants. SID is fighting hard with your much needed support to prevent this happening.

We have not only been focusing on opposing schemes. Following our presentation to CWAC on a proposed zero waste policy as a community experiment SID organised a recycling challenge at the Wincham School Fayre, whilst running the beer tent. (Yes I know it was tough job …..but someone had to do it!). In simple terms every, can and bottle had a deposit which was redeemable upon return. It was a runaway success. Easily measured by how little rubbish was left on the field at the end to clear away. A simple exercise but it showed we can do it.

The team is now actively working to stop the proposed development by TATA chemicals. As the next step in the campaign we will be having a public meeting on Thursday 15 September at the Victoria stadium. We have managed to secure Prof. Paul Connett who is the world recognised authority on incineration to be the principle speaker. He will give us the real facts on just what having a 600,000 tonne incinerator at our back door will mean in health, traffic, and environmental terms. We hope our local councillors will be joining us to show their support.

Please come along and show your opposition to the TATA proposal.

PUBLIC MEETING to oppose the TATA Incinerator. Where: Northwich Victoria Stadium.

When: 7.00 for 7.15 pm Thursday 15 September 2011

Speaker: Prof. Paul Connett. Leading world authority on incineration and its effects. A RURAL STROLL By Brenda Yates

Well, there was I planning to publicise the joys of our network of Public Rights of Way in Lower Wincham – when along came a request for Outline Planning Permisssion to build over a thousand homes on that very site!

Whether the prospect of an ‘Urban Village’ or a ‘Wincham Park’ appeals to you or not, now is probably a good time to get out there and have a look at the site. If the development goes ahead, the footpaths in their present form could well be lost – for instance, they could be diverted and reappear as pavements in a housing estate. From another angle, a walk along the footpaths gives good access for you to view the area and be in a better position to let the Cheshire West and Chester Planning Department know what you feel about the proposals. The 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map for the area is OS Explorer 267, Northwich and .

If you do decide to walk in this area, please be aware that there is deep water in unexpected places, not just in the more obvious watercourses, so please keep children close to you. Some of the paths are rough and can be muddy.

There are two Public Rights of Way which lead onto the site from Wincham (there was another until that was lost in a development some years ago). From the Black Greyhound crossroads, walk along the main road towards Lower Wincham – this is Wincham Lane, which eventually becomes Chapel Street. After a quarter of a mile or so, you’ll pass Wincham Avenue on your left. Continuing on Wincham Lane, you’ll shortly see two houses on the right; at this point, turn left onto a sign-posted public footpath which runs between two factories. In early August, apples, blackberries, sloes and rose hips lined this path and formed a pleasant contrast to the industrial backdrop. Follow the path until it opens out into a hard-surface area; here, turn right around the back and far side of the Northwich Victoria football stadium, emerging onto the canal near the footbridge.

The area which is the subject of the application is on the far side of the canal, reaching down to Wincham Brook and across to the New Warrington Road opposite the flashes. As you stand on the footbridge, look ahead of you to the right and to the left, to see just a small part of the area for which Outline Planning Permission is sought.

Resisting the temptation to divert onto the canal bank for the moment, continue across the bridge and straight ahead onto a tree-lined pathway. After a few hundred yards, the path opens out – keep straight ahead. Shortly after this, watch out for the stile on your left. Cross the stile and, keeping a hedge on your left, go forward and drop down into the valley ahead of you, arriving at a T-junction of paths.

Turn right at the T-junction and follow the wooded valley path, which, after a quarter of a mile or so, rises up to the right to a stile. (You will find that you have walked three sides of a square – down to the valley, along it and up again.) Cross the stile and turn left – you’re still in the heart of the proposed development – passing on your left the willows mentioned in the developers’ environmental report, then passing Village Farm. In a quarter of a mile or so, the track bends sharp right onto Heath Lane, still part of the proposals, emerging via this Public Right of Way onto Chapel Street. Turn right onto Chapel Street to return to the Black Greyhound.

If you prefer to walk with a group, why not join us for a ramble through the area on Sunday September 11th, 2.00pm at the junction of Wincham Lane and Wincham Avenue?

This large area of farmland, green space and industry, adjacent to the flashes and the Northwich Woodlands area, will be home to many forms of wildlife. I would be interested to hear from you if you have records of wildlife on the site so that, if the development should go ahead, we can take steps to try to protect it. You can contact me on 01565 733197 or e-mail [email protected].

WINCHAM PARISH COUNCIL Community Interest

Chairman Councillor Kenton Barker Parish Plan Implementation/Website/Planning 01565 734048

Councillor Ros Casson Provision for Children 01565 733751

Councillor Heather Holman Village Environment/War on littering 01565 733605

Councillor Roy Mainwaring Village Environment/Planning 01606 41560

Councillor Linda Moss Access/Community/Environment/

”Wincham Post” on Facebook 07773 913009

Councillor Pete O’Halloran PCSO liaison/Allotments/Airport/ Devolved funding 01565 733319

Councillor Sarah Parr Provision for Senior Citizens/Planning 01565 734863

Councillor Dave Pugh Parish Plan Implementation/PCSO 01565 733302

Councillor Frank Smith Village Environment/Gardens 01565 733663

Councillor Dominic Turner Parish Plan Implementation/Allotments/PCSO 01565 734394

Parish Clerk: Alison Dunabin 69 Linnards Lane Wincham 01565 733751 email: [email protected]

Wincham Parish Council cannot be held responsible for any errors, misprints and opinions stated within this publication.