Controversial Culcheth CPS car park plan is appealed

Proposals were submitted to Warrington Borough Council regarding the removal of 22 car parking spaces from Culcheth CPS Shopping Centre at the beginning of the year.

The documents suggest that the bulk of the current car parking area could become two new retail units if plans are approved.

The car park is one of the largest in the village

No decision had been publicised by the council's planning officers, but the developers have already begun the appeal process.

The proposals proved to be controversial, with a number of objections being made on the council's planning portal.

A summary for the proposal reads: "Replacement of existing car parking area with a two-storey mixed-use building consisting of two Class E units at ground floor level and three residential units at first-floor level, new public realm and ancillary works."

Objections lodged on the council's planning portal include comments such as: "This proposal would really impact the look of the village in a negative way.

"That corner, coming out of Jackson Avenue onto Common Lane, is already a bad spot, particularly when turning right.

"This would only further make it difficult at that junction.

"There are already many empty units in the CPS Centre, so having more retail units created doesn't make any sense. To lose this car park would also be bad as so many people come into Culcheth from neighbouring villages and businesses.

"It would also negatively impact the businesses on that corner and the footpath would become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.

"I hope that Warrington Borough Council rejects this proposal."

Another objection reads: "The parking spaces already available in Culcheth (both public and private) are limited and stretched to capacity.

"A further reduction will cause business to suffer as shoppers choose to go elsewhere. In the current economic climate, this is a dire consequence for Culcheth businesses.

"Culcheth at present doesn’t need further empty business units. You only need look at the units upstairs at the CPS for proof of this.

"This proposal reduces directly the number of disabled parking spaces in Culcheth. How has this been considered?"

An objection was also received from Croft Parish Council, reading: "While the subject of the application falls outside the boundaries of Croft parish, this proposal affects the residents of Croft substantially, as Culcheth is the nearest place they can go to for shopping and amenities, and they will normally travel there by car.

"The loss of a significant area of parking space would adversely affect Croft residents and indeed all users of the facilities in Culcheth.

"In addition to this, a building on that corner would affect visibility for vehicles coming out of Jackson Avenue onto Common Lane.

"This is already an accident black spot which is persistently hampered by delivery vehicles parking on double yellow lines just before the zebra crossing."

The application is currently subject to a planning appeal, with no deadline provided for a decision, though no new evidence may be supplied for the appeal after December 15.