Parkside is a different kettle of fish (From St Helens Star)
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Parkside is a different kettle of fish
10:03am Thursday 26th April 2007 in Letters By Reader letter
I WOULD like to respond to recent comments made by Brendan Page and Cory's regarding the Lyme Wood Pit recycling plant and the proposed Rail Freight Terminal at Parkside .
I would firmly reject Mr Page's suggestion that I should treat both the Parkside and Cory's applications in exactly the same way regardless of the individual merits of both schemes. I would also like to reject the recent comments made by a member of the Cory management who describes local residents of being Nimbys' after they opposed his company's planning application.
It is surely right that local people should judge each planning application on its own individual merits and that they should consider both the benefits and problems that will be created if a planning application is granted.
The Cory development goes against the town's planning policies and there are no overall benefits or reasons which would justify its location on this site.
The Parkside Rail interchange however is uniquely placed to provide the best road rail interchange facility in the region and it will take thousands of HGV vehicles off our roads each year. The development will also create up to 10,000 new jobs and a new country public park offering leisure facilities such as fishing, bike riding and other leisure activities.
Mr Page continues to make claims questioning the number of new jobs and the likely effect that the development will have on the area. If such claims were correct, the scheme would fail to meet any of the many national, European and international standards for transport and health or planning criteria.
While Mr Page has every right to oppose the Parkside development he would be wise not to build his case on exaggerated claims that will not stand up to any independent examination.
Finally, the recent closure of St Helens Glass with the loss of over 300 jobs is a timely reminder that our future economic future will depend on our ability to generate new jobs and opportunities for our community.
DAVE Watts MP St Helens North
