A Star is Born?

Withington Lane in Heskin is presently the subject of a consultation period for a 20mph zone, which will be limited to school arrival and departure times. This little lane amazes me and in particular the size of some of the vehicles that use it. Recently, I followed a lorry turn right into Mill Lane from Preston Road then continue down Mill Lane, onto Chisnall Lane then Withington Lane before turning right onto Wood Laane and going through Heskin. it would have been far easier, safer and shorter for the journey to be along Park Hall Road from Mill Lane.

The Railway Bridge on Chorley Lane in Charnock Richard was planned to be repaired between 3 and 11 November 2012, these repairs did not take place. Good and bad, the good is that the bridge remains weak meaning vehicles over 18 tonnes are discouraged from using it and divert away from it. Bad that some of these heavy vehicles divert along Church Lane, passing the school and also bad that the bridge remains untidy and needing a coat of paint. I have been in contact with LCC and Network Rail who have stated that the work has been put on hold and will take place “at some point” in 2013.

Well, the inevitable has happened and those running Camelot theme park have thrown in the towel, announcing that it will not be reopening in 2013. I have no knowledge of what is happening regarding the site, all I know is that the site owner is a property development company, I also know that Chorley Council policy is that a site previously used for recreation in the green belt should be adequately marketed as such before consideration will be given to change of use and that the site is not a site for development in the emergent Chorley Borough Plan. I have little doubt that the site owners will want to develop the site for housing. I have my own opinions about the concept of a residential development on the site, but without a plan it is difficult to comment. All I can promise is that I will represent, to the best of my abilities as I have with previous and on-going planning applications, anyone who approaches me with their opinions whether they be in favour of, or opposed to, development.

Whilst an outline application, at the moment, I am carefully watching planning application 12/01148/OUT as it is a development in the Green Belt, albeit infill. The outline plan is not, in my opinion, in sympathy with the neighbouring property, however as an outline plan I will not be objecting. Hopefully, if the outline plan is approved, I will be able to work with the applicant towards a development which satisfies us both, and the other neighbour, before full planning consent is sought.

Balfour Beatty, on behalf of United Utilities, are digging a big hole in Charnock Richard and I have been looking into it, they are also digging another one in Coppull and I have been looking into that also! The work is part of a £13million project to clean up the River Yarrow. During heavy rainfall the sewers become overwhelmed and untreated water enters the river system leading to the Rive Yarrow. The holes are for storage tanks to contain the water for pumping into the sewage system once the rainfall has eased. The tank at Charnock Richard can store up to 8,000 cubic metres (about 1¾ million gallons) of water.

With Kerry Towers United Utilities Project Manager

Someone said to me recently that they can tell it’s winter when they trip over the dog poo rather than stand in it. An amusing comment, but with a serious message (for want of a better phrase!). The council (Parish and Borough) have been good around Charnock Richard School in responding to requests and sweeping up leaves, thereby preventing any dog foul from being hidden. I continue to say this but it is local people who are allowing their dogs to foul our local pavements; the solution to the problem is, therefore, in the gift of local people.

Really proud of Roxanne and her performance in the Adlington Music and Arts Society (AMAS) production “A Christmas Cracker” her roles of an Elf and Snowman were particularly memorable and she enjoyed the singing I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus as a duet. Roxanne was awarded for her efforts as the youth member with most commitment, perhaps a Star has been born, Roxanne enjoying herself is the most important. Her prize is a ticket to see the Lion King, at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Charnock Richard Pre-School AGM is on 19 December in the Dog and Partridge staring at 7pm, all should be over in time for us to enter a team in the Pub Quiz, which starts at 9pm.

That’s all for this year, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best for the festive season and the year ahead?

Summaries of planning applications and delegated decisions related to Chisnall Ward are covered in my blog Chisnall Planning www.chisnallplanning.blogspot.com