THE VOICE FOR AND WEST NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM

PARKSIDE PUBLIC INQUIRY - P/2018/0048/OUP and P/2018/0249/FUL COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT PRESENTATION TUESDAY 19TH 2021

Author Susan Spibey, Vice-Chair

The Voice for Golborne and Lowton West has already submitted its Community Impact Statement to the Inquiry which has been accepted by The Inspector. The Neighbourhood Forum is grateful to the Inspector for allowing this brief presentation based on the statement of the likely impact that the proposed Parkside development will have on the villages of Golborne and Lowton as perceived by local residents.

The Traffic, Transport and Pollution impact has been fully documented by the Chair of LaGTAC Professor Graham Wardle on behalf of the Neighbourhood Forum members which he is also presenting at the Inquiry and stating that both applications are withdrawn with immediate effect and not presented for further approval at a later date.

The residents of Golborne and Lowton are pleased to have the support of the Greater Combined Authority Mayor. His Statement has already been submitted to the Inquiry.

Over the last twenty-five years the former Parkside Colliery Site at Newton-le- Willows has been the subject of several planning applications which have been withdrawn or failed for various reasons. Whilst the site is in St Helens Borough the planned road network to access the development primarily crosses the boundaries of the Boroughs of and and destroys greenbelt. The impact on the communities of Golborne and Lowton will be extensive, not just destruction of green belt, environmental degradation and traffic impact but unacceptable levels of pollution and noise.

Key pointers for objection

• Lack of High Value jobs

It has already been evidenced in the responses now being received to our Neighbourhood Plan Community Engagement Questionnaire for Golborne and Lowton that bringing high value jobs to the local area are top of the residents priority list. It is already well known that the residents of both St Helens and Wigan Boroughs travel to Warrington, and Manchester for high level jobs because of the lack of local availability.

• No solution for road traffic reduction and improved management

The numerous redesigns of the M6 Junction 23 have brought no relief to accessing the junction from any direction. Highways has indicated in its traffic modelling that full gridlock of the M6 is now closer than ever, in particular through the Croft Interchange. Road use should be reduced not increased.

• Critical need for Passenger Rail Enhancement Services

Significant to the reduction of road traffic use is the proposal to re-open local railway stations.

The proposed ‘HS3 service’ which would connect and upgrade the lines from Liverpool across the in the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ via the line through Newton-le-Willows presents greater opportunities for everyone in the region.

Conclusions

The Neighbourhood Plan provides an opportunity for the people of Golborne and Lowton West to shape their communities and significantly reduce the pollution and traffic impact, however:

• It is well recognised that the plans for Parkside will in no way impact St Helens itself but significantly impact every east, north and south of the site.

• The plans are flawed and it is for this reason that the Neighbourhood Forum is making this statement.

Additional statement on Visioning

The Author has also prepared and submitted a statement on visioning the new economy based on the Government’s build back better campaign.