Week 7 Update

That Was The Week That Was

* So then week seven of the Inquiry started, certainly with a different tact from us. After listening to weeks about retail space, effects on local councils and cars that run on petrol or electricity, we will now give you a weekly summary rather than a day by day blow of events, which if we are honest can become quite tedious at times. Inspector Wendy Burden got proceedings under way, and yes she simply looked quite stunning in her attire of black, or was it dark grey.

* KEIOC got the week underway by requesting that Wendy (coooorrr) visited the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. She agreed to and went one further in saying that Eastland’s would also be on her radar, but me thinks that was only to catch a glimpse of Robhino and co.

* Michelle Taylor (Chartered Surveyor for the country’s leading regeneration specialist) now took to the stand under the examination of Roger Lancaster QC. Now Michelle (we like her too) said that Kirkby was a retailers dream. She thought that retailers would prefer the ‘perfect retailing format’ on offer in Kirkby, as opposed to ‘a compromised offer’ in Skelmersdale. If Kirkby got the go ahead, she said her company St. Mowden would not be pursuing its interest in Skelmersdale. She countered though that if the retail size was more in proportion with the area, it would not compromise Skelmersdale plans, and the two developments could co-exist.
Patrick Clarkson QC (Tesco) now got to grips with Michelle (lucky sod), and he got her to admit that if the proposals for Kirkby were not approved, this would not guarantee the deliverability of the Skelmersdale proposal. She also accepted that one of the challenges facing Skelmersdale was the ability to attract retailers to the town, as it is not perceived as a current retail destination.

* It was St. Helens turn now to see what may happen with their Borough if Kirkby’s plans materialised. Thomas Ferguson, no relation to Big Dunc, who has the apt title of Development Plans Manager in the Department of Urban Regeneration and Housing of St Helens Council, (mmmm what a mouthful) came to the fore. He stated that they like Skelmersdale they have their own plans (Chalon Way Development) and do not want it jeopardised by a larger retail development than the norm, a few miles away. Thomas went on to cite St. Helens own issues with the closure of the mining Industry and the scaling down of the glass Industry to boot. He explained that the town centre in St. Helens and surrounding area had been a major focus of transformation, using both private and public funding.

* West Lancs, St Helens, now it was Sefton’s turn and I hope they gave them a hard time as they messed me around with my plans for my extension years ago. Andy Wallis took the stand and stated Sefton’s case, primarily Bootle’s which they believed would be affected the most in the area. Andy had ‘urged’ Knowsley Council to seek further reductions in the non food floor space in relation to the retail hierarchy that would have a less damaging impact on neighbouring centers. Sefton case ran in parallel with the other two Councils who had already had their say so we won’t harp on too much about it.

* Now the good people had their day, with the residents and the Business people of Kirkby allowed to have their voices heard. Tony Brennan Kirkby Residents in Support of Progress (KRISP) addressed the Inquiry, in favour of the plans. Tony said he had lived and worked in Kirkby for fifty two years and knew the challenges the town faced. He said KRISP were concerned that the Inquiry should hear from all sides of the community. He wanted the Inquiry Inspector and the Secretary of State to be made aware that many people felt these proposals would ‘inject life and vitality into Kirkby’ and put it on the map as a place where people wanted to live, work and visit. Tony continued that he had worked with local young people to overcome the barriers they had faced and this had highlighted that, despite considerable successes, Kirkby still faced many challenges - high unemployment and poor health etc.

* From the business side of the Town, Tony McVeigh and Brian Caulfield who owned Taxi and Electrical businesses respectively, also spoke in favour of the Retail and Ground development. They both hoped that the development would effect positively the town centre which had a poor image and needed investment. He remembered when the centre had thrived but now it had declined. He thought if this opportunity was missed it might not come along again. Tom Norman another local resident got to his feet to cross examine Brain the Eleccy man and asked who was to blame for the shops closing in the town centre. Brian said there were empty shops in the town centre before Tesco came forward so they could not be blamed. Closures were a part of progression and change.

* Tony Barton (KRAG) now threw in his points to Brian and told him that Everton would only bring 20 full time jobs with it (shit is this the size of our future squad). Brian countered that the jobs boost would come in the wider economy in the area and the stadium was essential for the regeneration to take place. Poor Brian was getting it now as KEIOC stepped forward and he agreed he was a Blue but had not voted in the poll of a few years ago. Brian fought his corner and argued that Everton Football Club fans had voted to leave Goodison Park for the golf course in Knowsley, Kings Dock in Liverpool and now Kirkby. He said this was proof the majority of fans were willing to move.

* The arguments now raged about local people accessing the new jobs that would come with the development. KRAG were keen to see local people accessed these jobs, KRISP said they was acting as a go between, between local people who wanted to work and companies looking for staff. He said he wanted to help local companies make these jobs available to the people who had left school with few qualifications but who had experience of work and wanted to work. KRAG went on to say that the new jobs were desperately needed and without this development many companies in the area would ‘go under’. He said he had asked local traders in the town centre if they would feel threatened by the new development and they had told him they did not.

* Local residents Messrs Fraughan and Scott both raised their objections, citing issue as traffic, noise, pollution and potential raising of local taxes and loss of green space in their objections. It was refreshing to hear local people fight their corners instead of the business leaders and Council top brass chunnering on about an area were they do not live, and apart from their jobs, really would not have a care for, so well played to all on both sides of the argument. The week went on in the same vein, and time was called on the Inquiry for another week. The Inspectors wished everyone well, and hoped for a Blue victory in Sundays crunch 4th Round FA Cup tie, citing that she had a tenner on Tiny for the first goal. Lets hope you come up trumps Wendy me dear.

Public Inquiry Index

More Details Here Knowsley Council website