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SKELMERSDALE For All Your Motoring Needs in One-Stop! Service & Repair

30 May 2018

www.champnews.com

Vol 25 l Issue 22

IS YOUR CAR READY FOR THE SUMMER?

Sun shines on three-day SkemFest

OUT OF BOUNDS!

Golf course management served with Breach of Condition Notice over unapproved depositing of infill material WEST Lancs Council has served a Breach of Condition notice on the management at Beacon Park Golf Course, Serco, after work which involved material being deposited, was found to be “significantly different” from that shown on the approved plans. The notice relates particularly to the profiling of the former driving range area at the course in Up Holland. It has been found that the maximum height allowed under the original planning consent has been exceeded, with the quantity of infill which should have been added over the whole site, being concentrated in one area. The alleged breach is the latest incident in a five-year saga at the course since Serco, the management agent for West Lancashire Community Leisure Ltd., took on supervision of the facility. Residents complained that there was “little scrutiny or oversight of the type or quantity of the materials being dumped” at the course, nor the money being made by sub-contractors. West Lancs MP Rosie Cooper has raised these issues with both the borough council and Serco chiefs on several occasions previously and most recently met with the local authority ’s deputy directors of leisure and housing and inclusion. She said: “What has been going on

Report by Henry James with Beacon Park Golf Course over many years has been a disgrace and it is timely that action is at last being taken to rectify the situation, but this doesn’t end the matter. “I will continue to pursue this as there should be proper accountability by those who made these poor decisions which I believe led to a loss of revenue to WLBC and its council taxpayers, from both the course and the proceeds from the amount of rubble and waste materials which have been dumped. “Serco will now have six months to comply with the breach of condition notice and remove material from the area around the driving range and the foot golf area. I have asked to meet with Serco directors to get to the bottom of what has gone on.” A spokesman for West Lancs Council responded: “The council can confirm that it has issued a Breach of Condition notice in relation to the former driving range area due to the works on site being significantly different from that shown on the plans approved by the council. “Material has been deposited in three locations on the golf course, the former driving range, alongside the first fairway and the new nine-hole golf course.

Beacon Park Golf Course

“While the total amount of material deposited on the golf course is within the limits allowed under the planning consent, larger amounts of material have been deposited than shown on the approved plans in the areas in question. “It is only in the case of the former driving range, however, that the noncompliance with the approved plan is deemed so significant as to warrant the council taking action. “During the deposit of material, the council contacted the Environment Agency to ensure that proper monit-

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oring of the type of material being brought on to the site was in place. “The council has been in discussions with the site operator, Serco, and they have undertaken to take the actions required to overcome the council’s concerns and to remedy the breach of planning control. The deputy directors of leisure and wellbeing and development and regeneration met recently with the MP to inform her of the latest position and the action being taken. “The council fully expects a positive Continued inside

WIN! Taylor Swift concer t tickets Invitation to join in Tawd Valley Park spruce-up LOCAL residents are being invited to help keep Tawd Valley Park looking its best. West Lancs Council is asking the local community to join in a series of conservation and maintenance improvement sessions in the park being led by the authority’s Parks and Countryside Ranger Service. The sessions, running from 10am to 3pm, will start on Friday, June 8 and will continue for the same duration each subsequent Friday. Volunteers can just turn up on the day as the sessions are intended to be of an informal nature. Those interested are requested to assemble adjacent to Summer Street play area, Ashurst, at 10am prompt and are recommended to wear suitable clothing and robust footwear. Participants wishing to stay for the duration of the session are recommended to take a packed lunch. No previous experience is necessary as all instruction will be given on the days. All necessary equipment will be provided. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Councillor Yvonne Gagen, the council’s cabinet member for leisure, said: “The sessions are informal but those taking part will be doing important work to conserve the green oasis that is Tawd Valley Park, so come along and help keep the park looking its best." For further details ring the Rangers on 01695 622794 or alternatively the community leisure manager on 01695 585144.

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