4 days ago
Controversial shopping site plan withdrawn hours before decision
Controversial plans which could potentially have allowed a building owner to convert part of a shopping centre into residential accommodation have been withdrawn just hours before they were due to be decided on by proposals for the CPS Centre in Culcheth included changes to bikes and bin storage and the building itself but not a change of use, although Warrington Council officers said a future intention for residential did "appear to be the case".The scheme has been controversial after traders were evicted from the centre, and it was raised in parliament by the area's BBC has contacted the agent representing the owner for a comment.
Nearly 140 objections to the scheme had been raised by locals and councillors, with residents planning to attend the meeting later to show their at the council had recommended the scheme for approval in a report produced ahead of the meeting.A previous plan for the site was rejected by the authority last Smith, Labour councillor for Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, said: "Our community really came together to fight this potential threat to the CPS Centre."The disappointment is that the applicant left it until now to withdraw, they could have taken this step weeks ago when they saw the objections come in."Smith, who was due to speak against the plans at the meeting, said: "I'm sure there will be further applications in the future, but for now, it's fair to say our voices have been heard loud and clear."
See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
