Culcheth residents in uproar over CPS car park plans

Residents and businesses are up in arms over the proposals that have landed with Warrington Borough Council's planning chiefs.

The plans were validated by the council on Friday, January 27, and have since been the source of controversy.

The current car park is one of the most central in the village (Image: Maps)

Documents suggest that the parking area in front of Culcheth Shopping Centre could be transformed, and instead of having parking spaces it could be used for two new retail units, as well as associated apartments.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Culcheth residents and business owners are overwhelmingly set against the plans.

Claire Norris said: "I think it's pretty clear now why they started issuing fines for people using this car park and then Sainsbury's car park in the same two hours.

"Putting people off this one lowers users and helps them show planners it's not as popular as it actually is. We need more parking, not less."

In 2022 the car park's management faced criticism after reducing the amount of free parking that was available at the site.

Rupert Rees agreed, adding: "We already have a chronic shortage of parking capacity in Culcheth and this is going to be another nail in the coffin."

One resident, Ian Melling, jested: "Whatever happened to the good old days when people used to walk to the shops?"

He was quickly shot down by another resident, who replied: "Culcheth has an ageing population, many people come into the village to help their parents shop, get prescriptions, pension, and doctors appointments etc.

"Lucky you, if you still have great mobility, but there will come a day."

One business owner - who will remain anonymous - owns a cafe in the area, she told the Warrington Guardian that the plans threaten to 'bankrupt us all.'

She said: "When we took the lease on we took it was on the basis that the cafe had parking directly outside for customers to use and this was a big attraction for customers.

"Once we have a massive building right in front of us we will not be seen from the road and will all be blocked off, so this could bankrupt us all."

The plans would see shrubbery planted in front of the new retail units (Image: Bowen Architects)

The cafe owner added: "I don’t think we could run the cafe without any parking for deliveries. Neither could the Post Office or newsagents, who are also very very concerned."

Another resident, Amanda Baxendale, said: "I'm all for developing the services in the village, but not at the expense of those that are already there.

"The car park is really handy to pop out quickly and use the post office, shoe repairs, dry cleaners or newsagent - if we can't park easily to pop in and out it's more likely the local shops won't be used and potentially will end up closing."

A second business owner - who asked not to be named - in the area also spoke to the Warrington Guardian.

They said that the centre struggles to get footfall already, so reducing parking options would be a recipe for disaster: "They can’t even get people in the CPS centre, we still have lots of shops vacant! With the parking as it is now, it would only be worse without it.

"As a shop owner myself, it’s hard to get my voice heard so I’m hoping this will be stopped."

The proposals would see two new stores erected on the current car parking facilities (Image: Bowen Architects)

The derision of the plans is not unanimous, however.

Though responses have been overwhelmingly negative, there have been some who wish to give the plans the benefit of the doubt.

Ricky Sergent said: "There’s more parking in Culcheth than any village I can think of, I think the new building will be good for the village and will enhance it.

"Take a visit to Stockton Heath and Newton high street - both thriving yet have almost zero parking."

The plans are currently under consideration by Warrington Borough Council's planning department.