Movin’... with the times
ORFORD PARK PLANNING APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED The exciting new £30 million development of a community sports hub in Orford moved a step closer to reality on Monday 15 June, when the outline planning application was submitted. The submission will cover the site master plan and revised building elevations, and will be considered by the Development Control Committee on Thursday 27 August. A series of workshops held in April gave community groups, service users and residents the opportunity to review the latest site plans and building layouts, and to receive a full update on the project’s progress. Comments received at the workshops shaped the final layout that is now being submitted for outline planning permission. Further consultation on the internal design of the community sports facility will be held in the late summer and will enable the detailed design to be finalised prior to submitting the full planning application information for approval in August. The community sports hub building will contain a library with IT suites, meeting rooms, a café, swimming pools, health and fitness facilities, sports hall, créche and community rooms. NHS Warrington also plans to provide three GP practices within the project, along with a pharmacy and a lifestyle team that will help patients who want to lose weight, quit smoking or drink fewer units.
Outside, there will be walking and cycling paths around the new grass pitches that will link to the existing park. The current play areas will be upgraded and extended to appeal to all age groups. There will also be skateboarding and BMX parks. The existing bowling greens will be floodlit and a new pavilion will be built, with well-lit pedestrian access all around the site. The area will be covered by CCTV and the main access to the site will be from Winwick Road with a bus stop outside of the building. Cllr Mike Hannon, community champion, said: “This is another huge milestone for the Orford Park project and we hope people will take the opportunity to view the plans and get involved. The project will regenerate the Orford area and bring significant benefits to the local community and beyond.”
Plans can be viewed by the public at the Customer Contact Centre reception, Orford and Warrington libraries, Longford Neighbourhood Services Centre, Orford Neighbourhood Project office, Cotswold Road Community building, Fordton Leisure Centre, New Town House reception, and the Town Hall reception. Alternatively, they can also be viewed online at http://orfordproject.warrington. gov.uk Any comments on the development can be submitted to the Development Control Section in writing prior to the Planning Approval Committee Meeting on 27 August 2009 at the following address: Development Control Section, Environment & Regeneration Directorate, New Town House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NH.
July–August 2009 | Issue 3
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