1) What do you like or dislike about living in and parish?

(eg. community, character, landscape, views, services, facilities etc)

We like:-

 the semi-rural location of Weaste Lane greenbelt village and Thelwall Heys, open aspects, wildlife, range of birds, sense of community, countryside next to the urban area accessible to many, agricultural heritage, countryside which preserves and separates the communities of Grappenhall, Thelwall and Weaste Lane/Thelwall Heys.  , Trans Pennine trail, footpaths, fields, recreational space  Historic and period properties, picturesque villages, country pubs

We dislike:-

 Flooding, litter, high speed of traffic on A50, Stockport Road and Weaste Lane, noise from roads and motorway.

2) Do you think we should protect green spaces in the parish? If so, where do you suggest?

Yes.

 All greenbelt and public used green spaces should be protected; this includes but is not restricted to public parks, TPT, public footpaths, recreational areas, towpath and fields.  The fundamental characters of Weaste Lane greenbelt village and Thelwall Heys, should not change. Weaste Lane greenbelt village and Thelwall Heys are distinct communities in a semi-rural location separated from other areas in the parish, this should be protected.  Good arable farming land in the parish is an important UK resource, helping us with sustainability and food miles

3) Given the lack of sites for new housing within the built up area of the parish, on which greenfield sites in the parish, do you think new housing should be built?

Grappenhall

Thelwall

Thelwall Heys

Grappenhall Heys

Stockton Lane

Grappenhall Lane/Broad Lane

Don't Know

Other (please specify)  We do not believe there is a requirement to build on greenbelt in the Parish or Borough at present. The recent housing needs consultation based on a revised methodology shows that the housing needs of would be 914 per year (before any cap). This figure has been provided to us via email by the Department for Communities and Local Government and differs from WBCs estimation based on the new methodology. There is no requirement to have a 20 year plan, indeed the current local plan for the borough is for 13 years and the NPPF suggest a 15 year plan. If the Council had a 15 year plan then this would amount to 13,710 houses required. All of this could be met by brownfield. In view of the uncertainties of Brexit, current UK economy and possibility of brownfield land becoming available in the future, a 15 year plan would be prudent.  We do not believe it is in the interests of the region overall to build on the high quality agricultural greenbelt in the parish. Efforts should instead be concentrated on the important task of regenerating brownfield sites elsewhere in Warrington and neighbouring boroughs. Brownfield sites will also become available in the future ie Fiddlers Ferry, Warrington Hospital. Further work needs to be carried out to ensure all brownfield sites within the borough have been recorded on the brownfield register and considered for development. Once green belt has gone, it is lost forever!  Thelwall Heys and Weaste Lane greenbelt village are an important and accessible high quality rural asset on the edge of the built-up area. It provides a rural approach to Warrington on a major A50 route and together with the belt of mature trees flanking Grappenhall village, provides a tree lined corridor which contributes significantly to the character and distinctiveness of the area, helping to preserve the separate identities of the villages in the parish. Arguably, the last truly rural approach to Warrington on a major route.  Development should not be permitted on high quality agricultural land. Weaste Lane greenbelt village, Thelwall Heys and the area WBC are currently suggesting as a garden suburb is high quality agricultural land ie grade 2 and 3a. and the entire NW are deficient in grade 1 and 2 land. This is an asset well worth protecting. Warrington is fortunate to have this agricultural resource, it should not be squandered.  Within minutes a vast number of the population can be on the towpath and in the “country” even if the town is nearby. Green space and amenity value of the waterway should be for all to enjoy and should not be made the domain of just those fortunate enough to be able to afford the high priced housing which would inevitably be built on such sites. The waterways of Warrington give residents a special place to enjoy; they should not become corridors for ribbon development housing. This is a little bit of country in the town where residents can enjoy some peace and solitude or exercise. We understand only a small amount of undeveloped waterside is left in the borough.  The SHLAA 2017 no longer includes sites less than 0.25 Ha; we believe the parish council should carry out a study and devise a list of all brownfield sites in the parish below 0.25Ha. We would recommend that this list also includes all redundant buildings in the parish. Development should then be concentrated on these areas. As mentioned earlier, we should be ensuring that all brownfield sites within the borough have been included within the brownfield register.

4) What type of new housing style would you like to see form any new housing development?

Detached Houses Semi Detached Houses Terraced/Mews Apartments Bungalows Starter Homes or Single Person Homes Bedsits Retirement Accommodation Other (please specify)

In particular, retirement accommodation, bungalows, starter homes, however, we feel there is a need for a varied style of housing to support and concentrate development on our younger and older generation as well as our existing residents who wish to move up or down the housing ladder, to allow them to remain living in this area.

We do not believe the house numbers currently proposed by WBC is either sustainable or necessary. House prices in Warrington have not kept pace with inflation since 2007 and have stagnated along with much of the North giving lie to the idea that Warrington is bucking the local trend. Warrington’s average property price is now well below the national figure. A process that was accelerated after 2010. Property has lost real value in recent months and may slide further along with a national cooling of sales. March’s affordability index may show further evidence that Warrington is not in need of the kind of housing boom that WBC say is called for - http://www.plumplot.co.uk/Warrington-house-prices.html

5) Do you think more employment and business premises should be created in the parish?

Yes

No

We currently have lots of employment land in the parish– the agricultural fields worked on by the local farmers, we feel this point has been missed entirely in the PDO. If a small amount of business/office accommodation can be created through re-use or conversion of redundant buildings this would be reasonable, however we believe housing should take priority, as there are many business/trade parks available already (which are not fully occupied) in this and neighbouring Boroughs.

New large warehousing and their parking areas shouldn’t be allowed in the Parish as it will massively change the rural nature of the area and add substantially to the traffic and pollution of an already unsatisfactory air quality.

To add crisscrossing roads from the motorway junctions would make this even worse.

New roads for faster traffic should not justify boxing in new areas for housing or business. Such a network of roads would put pedestrians and children at risk if housing is separated from amenities. We shouldn’t be designing the area for motorway commuting.

We should encourage those working from home in micro offices, support virtual conferencing and remote team working to reduce CO2

6) If answered Yes to Question 5, where to you think these should be located?

Construction of new commercial area within one of the villages?

Construction of a new commercial area on a rural site?

Re-use or conversion of redundant buildings in one of the villages?

Re-use or conversion of redundant buildings in the rural area?

Not applicable (answered No to Question 5)

Other (please specify)

As above

7) What facilities in the parish should be protected and where possible enhanced?

Protect the unique character of the area

Protect the TPT

Protect the canal and associated landmarks such as bridges and aqueducts which make the area unique,

Enhance existing facilities for the elderly and infirm,