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Vol 26 l Issue 42

INSIDE THIS WEEK:

www.champnews.com

L AT T E • L A U R I E

16 October 2019

25 YEARS

POMODORO

JUST WHITE

Tel: 01704 569697 5 WELD PARADE, BIRKDALE VILLAGE, PR8 2DT

Top cop to join anti-knife crime runners

R A B E • P I C A D I L LY

FORMBY

CELEBRATING

Renowned guitarist to play in town

85% of voters give it the thumbs-up... but turn-out is just 16%

RESIDENTS VOTE ‘YES’ TO FORMBY & ALTCAR LOCAL PLAN by Danielle Thompson THE controversial Neighbourhood Plan to decide future planning strategies in Formby and Little Altcar has been passed. A referendum on the plan which was devised by the area’s parish council led by independent group, FRAG - took place last Thursday (October 10). It succeeded with just over 85 per cent of residents giving it the thumbs up although the turnout was a disappointing 16 per cent. A total of 2,601 people voted ‘yes’ with 428 voting ‘no’ to the question: ‘Do you want Sefton Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Formby and Little Altcar to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’ Last month, the Champion revealed that the plan had been passed by the planning examiner, but only after

But war of words continues between FRAG and Formby’s Labour MP Bill Esterson

FRAG Cllr Bob McCann

claims from the local Labour group that it was ‘not fit for purpose’. FRAG was also accused by Labour activists of spending more than £30,000 on producing the plan,

MP Bill Esterson

including £22,000 on planning consultants. But FRAG disputed the figures, claiming they spent £4,013 in total. Welcoming the ‘yes’ vote, Formby

Parish Council Chair and FRAG member Bob McCann told the Champion: “I am very pleased that our plan received approval and I thank those that took the time to vote. “The turnout, whilst low, was equal to other local votes on similar plans. It now puts in place a significant platform from which we can continue to address the planned developments in our community. Neither Sefton Council, the Labour Party or developers supported this plan because they dislike the extra control on development that it affords.” However, Formby MP Bill Esterson again insisted: “The FRAG Formby Parish Councillors wasted £30,000 of taxpayers’ money and had to be forced to re-write the Neighbourhood plan before common sense prevailed. The original plan was heavily criticised by the Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and Sefton Council. Who on earth falls out with the Wildlife Trust for crying out loud? Continued inside

Staff from the Formby branch of The Good Catch show off their award

Good catch for village chippy! A FISH and chip shop is ‘frying high’ after it won a national award! The Good Catch, which has branches in Formby and Crosby, has been given a National Federation of Fish Friers Fish & Chip Quality Award. Good Catch co-owner Chris Pittaras said: “We are delighted to achieve this prestigious award once again. To be recognised as one of the top fish and chip shops in the country by the NFFF is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff . “As a family run business we like to see ourselves as everyone’s local fish and chip shop.”

THE UK’S LARGEST LETTERBOX CIRCULATION BY AN INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER! 164,579

CHAMPION SERIES

JAN-DEC 2018 100% FREE


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