Urbanisation in the Warrington area has proceeded at an ever increasing rate since I first came to Warrington from Yorkshire in 1968. Much of the early change of land-use involved turning 'Brown-Field' areas (the creation of Warrington New Town) into housing and commercial use and although some elements of the plan do concern turning 'Brown Field' sites into residential areas, the vast majority of the development involves the loss of valuable Green-Field areas.
Over the past few years several of the planned developments have changed and when a planned development is given the 'go ahead' and 'development' begins, the plans quickly change to the advantage of the Council and developer. A case in point being the plans to create the 'Watersmeet Linear Park' as part of the re-development of the area to the north of the Ship Canal to the east of Chester Road. The industrial land was redeveloped and turned into expensive housing. The plans were changed several times to create a greater concentration of homes on the development site, bringing in extra revenue to the Council and the developer. The recreational plans to create a park and footpaths were 'scrapped'!!!! (A house brings in revenue for the council. The creation of a park cost money and brings in no income!!).
Urbanisation in the Warrington area has proceeded at an ever increasing rate since I first came to Warrington from Yorkshire in 1968. Much of the early change of land-use involved turning 'Brown-Field' areas (the creation of Warrington New Town) into housing and commercial use and although some elements of the plan do concern turning 'Brown Field' sites into residential areas, the vast majority of the development involves the loss of valuable Green-Field areas.
Over the past few years several of the planned developments have changed and when a planned development is given the 'go ahead' and 'development' begins, the plans quickly change to the advantage of the Council and developer. A case in point being the plans to create the 'Watersmeet Linear Park' as part of the re-development of the area to the north of the Ship Canal to the east of Chester Road. The industrial land was redeveloped and turned into expensive housing. The plans were changed several times to create a greater concentration of homes on the development site, bringing in extra revenue to the Council and the developer. The recreational plans to create a park and footpaths were 'scrapped'!!!! (A house brings in revenue for the council. The creation of a park cost money and brings in no income!!).