Quarry plan could end young deaths
Plus: Police officer's indecent images and jaw-dropping fire details emerge
Hello and welcome to today’s edition of The Lancashire Lead. I send this having just returned from a weekend in Belfast - what a place that is to visit.
The edition starts with a look at a potentially life-saving planning application. In Appley Bridge, near the border of West Lancs and Wigan, the former East Quarry attracts scores of young people whenever hot weather occurs - but the water they’re drawn to is nowhere near safe enough for people to cool off in.
Three young people - 17-year-old Craig Croston in 1999, 14-year-old Miracle Godson in 2015 and 16-year-old Jamie Lee Lewin in 2016 - have died as a result of hitting trouble in the quarry’s water, which is both deeper and faster moving than many realise.
There were once plans to open floating holiday lodges at the quarry but recent years have seen attention focused squarely on how to make it safer. Land owner Maybrook Investments has now submitted plans which would potentially see that happen. If Lancashire County Council grants a lawful development certificate, the quarry will be drained, infilled and then have water returned at a depth of between 0.5m and 1m.
Submitted as part of the application are both statements from Maybrook from and the findings of coroner Dr James Adeley who oversaw Jamie’s inquest. He said:
“The problem of young men drowning in this quarry is not going to go away as Human nature will not change and people will always want to visit an attractive swimming venue that's free to enter.
“In my view, it will not matter what fence you erect or what maintenance is undertaken, people will still access this site until a permanent solution is found. I understand and share the family’s frustration that a solution to these deaths seems as far away as ever.
“The solution to this problem rests almost entirely with the quarry owners, local politicians, and local planning departments. It is a matter for them to resolve this issue before another death occurs.”
Whether this proves to be the solution remains to be seen but those who want to have their say should make sure they do. You can see the full application documents and submit a comment through this link.
Over in central Lancashire, Chorley Council has announced progress in its bid to have a Government imposed designation lifted to allow it to regain control of planning applications.
The designation was made by Michael Gove in January in response to what he said a high rate of decisions being overturned on appeal. The announcement sparked anger within the council but efforts to dispute the decision were unsuccessful.
The authority has now agreed an action plan to improve its performance, as required by the designation process, in the hope of it being lifted when the next round of performance statistics are published.
“We were utterly appalled by the decision to designate Chorley for standing up against speculative and unplanned developments.
“The council, with the support from the MP for Chorley, time and time again tried to highlight the issues Chorley is facing when it comes to planning, and to make it clear how the former government’s changes to the planning rules had a negative effect on our communities.
“We've been honest with people that we have been fighting speculative development with one hand tied behind our back. We are not anti-development – far from it - we just think it should be locally led.”
Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council
The plan will now be sent to the newly renamed, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for approval and then implemented.
The details of a trainee Lancashire police officer who was sacked after being caught with indecent images of children can now be revealed.
Elliot Garstang, 23, was arrested by Lancashire Constabulary in March 2023 after thousands of indecent images were found on his devices and he was immediately suspended by the same force. A spokesman told The Lancashire Lead that Garstang had not been posted to any division or had any contact with the public during his time as a trainee officer.
He resigned from the force during the investigation and a misconduct hearing took place in January where it was concluded he would have been sacked and he banned from any future work in policing.
Garstang, of Welsby Road, Leyland, appeared before magistrates in July and was given a three-year community order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting ten years. He was also made subject of notification requirements - informally known as the Sex Offenders Register - for 10 years.
Det Supt Zoë Mainey, Head of our Professional Standards Department, said: “Garstang’s detestable behaviour has no place in Lancashire Constabulary. Cases of this nature are rare and appalling. If and when they do come to light the force will act very quickly to prevent any risk to the public and ensure that justice is delivered quickly.
“When Garstang’s offending came to light, he was quickly arrested and suspended from all duties. A robust investigation was then undertaken which secured the evidence that led to his conviction and dismissal from the service.”
Staying within a policing and justice context, HMP Garth in Leyland has been ordered to make improvements following the death of an inmate.
Marlin Burrows died aged 45 after obtaining and using illegal drugs inside the prison and deteriorated while under supervision of staff who did not escalate any concerns. In a report examining the circumstances of his death, Kimberley Bingham, Acting Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, raised concerns over the easy access to illegal drugs and poor care given to Mr Burrows.
“There is substantial evidence that Mr Burrows often used psychoactive substances (PS) in prison. I am concerned about the ease and frequency with which Mr Burrows was seemingly able to obtain PS and illicit prescription drugs.”
“Prison staff, under the instruction of healthcare colleagues, monitored Mr Burrows, whom they suspected was under the influence of psychoactive substances, for 15 hours before he was found unresponsive and subsequently died. I am deeply troubled that healthcare staff did not escalate concerns about his condition during this prolonged period of time and did not refer him to hospital sooner.
“While we cannot know whether or not Mr Burrows’ death would have been prevented if he had been transferred to hospital earlier, the failure of healthcare staff to escalate his care promptly reflects a serious failure in care provision.”
Kimberley Bingham
Similar concerns have also been raised by assistant Nicholas Rheinberg who issued a prevention of future deaths report. HMP Garth was legally obliged to respond to those concerns and explain to Mr Rheinberg how it would take action.
The Ministry of Justice did not respond to a request for comment from The Lancashire Lead.
Over in Morecambe, a rapidly growing regional radio network has bought out a community station after convincing its owner of its commitment to local content.
Central Radio North West started broadcasting from a new DAB transmitter located at the top of Blackpool Tower in September 2022 and has expanded first to cover Preston, Leyland and Chorley and then Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley.
It has now bought Triple M Radio, allowing it to reach audiences in Morecambe. Among its promises are providing an independent local news service and more music variety than other commercial stations.
Triple M was launched in 2016 by local broadcaster Tony Simon, who previously worked on The Bay Radio before it was bought out by the Global-owned Heart FM. Tony said he had been searching for a buyer for several months and believed Central Radio was the most appropriate option.
Nathan Hill, Director of Central Radio said: "Tony has done a superb job of building up a small local online local radio station to have a very loyal fan base, and we're honoured that he's chosen us to take over the reins of his project to bring in to the Central Radio family."
The changeover will happen on August 1.
Before moving on to the headlines, a quick mention for Michael’s Holmes piece on the huge fire which hit the former DWP offices at Blackpool’s Warbreck Road recently. Michael reports that when the fire occurred, there was effectively no CCTV, security or water supply at the building.
A bitter row has broken out with building owner Pipesafe pointing figures at parties including United Utilities, the DWP and Blackpool Council. The article is as detailed and well researched as anything else you’ll read this week so it’s definitely worth a few minutes of your time.
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🚨 An investigation into a fire which killed two parents in Blackpool and left their children seriously injured concluded there are no suspicious circumstances (The Blackpool Lead).
🤬 Activists in Blackburn have been accused of “political hooliganism” during the recent elections by an independent safeguarding adviser (LancsLive).
🏥 New Health Secretary Wes Streeting says there is a “particular urgency” over plans to build a new hospital in Lancaster (Beyond Radio).
⛱️ Residents on a Lancaster street have built a mini-beach next to a water leak after waiting two weeks for the problem to be addressed (Beyond Radio).
✅ Lancashire County Council has appointed an acting chief executive two months before the current boss leaves her role (Lancaster Guardian).
🚓 A 77-year-old motorcyclist has died in a crash on the A59 in Samlesbury (Lancashire Telegraph). Anyone who witnessed the crash or has CCTV dashcam footage is asked to call 101 quoting log 0523 of July 24 or email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk
⚽ In a major u-turn after suffering lots of political damage, Preston Council has dropped plans to add sports pitches at Ashton Park owing to growing costs (Blog Preston). Meanwhile, a dropped candidate for the controlling Labour group has spoken out about that decision, which she says was imposed at regional level.
⚖️ A man who killed a Blackpool barman who was due to become a dad has been jailed for 10 years (BBC).
🌊 Preparations are underway for two multi-million pound schemes to protect Blackpool’s seafront from the threat of climate change (LancsLive).
Progress on the Eden Project Morecambe development has taken another step forward with the release of £2.5m of Government funding. The money is part of the £50m of public funding which has been committed to the project and will be used to to secure the services of external contractors.
They will be tasked with further developing the designs as part of the next stage of development ahead of the construction phase. The design team, who will be procured through the North West Construction Hub, will further develop the design and will undertake the next major design phase as part of continued project delivery.
Councillor Catherine Potter, Lancaster City Council cabinet member with responsibility for the visitor economy, community wealth building and culture, said: “We’re all eager to see ‘spades in the ground’ and there has been an awful lot of work taking place behind the scenes to ensure the project progresses as swiftly as possible. Securing this funding is another significant milestone and brings the vision of Eden Project Morecambe one step closer.”
Si Bellamy, the Eden Project’s Chief Transformation Officer said: “This is a crucial step on the road to making Eden Project Morecambe a reality. The release of this investment from the Government will enable us to undertake the work needed to ensure that Eden Project Morecambe design is maturing at pace and prepares the way for a site activation.
“We will work closely with the North West Construction Hub and our project Partners to ensure that we can secure the services of leading contractors while also representing the best use of public funds.”
The development was also referenced by new Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge in her maiden speech in Parliament. As well as espousing the virtues of humanism, she spoke of how important it will be to deliver the project.
"I would like to start my first speech by paying tribute to my predecessor, David Morris. I know he knocked on a lot of ministers’ doors to get funding for Eden Project Morecambe, and I thank him for it. I made a solemn promise to him that I would deliver Eden Project Morecambe and make it work for local people.”
Chris Webb has become the latest of Lancashire new MPs to speak out against the previously agreed devolution deal. The Blackpool South representative described that deal, which was agreed but not passed through Parliament in time to become law, as not ambitious enough and argues better can be achieved under the new government.
Webb chaired a meeting of Lancashire MPs to discuss the matter on Wednesday before meeting with the Jim McMahon Minister of State for the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Webb said: “I don’t believe that the agreed deal with the previous government was ambitious enough to give Lancashire a fair chance to take control of its own future.
“The Prime Minister has noted that ‘decisions are best made by people with skin in the game’ and Lancashire deserves to be picked to play. For too long, decisions about Lancashire have been made by people with no understanding of the lives of people who live there.
“I have been inspired by the work of Andy Burnham, Steve Rotherham and Tracy Brabin in neighbouring counties and seen the positive impact the work of these brilliant metro mayors has had on residents lives. Lancashire cannot be left behind.”
The matter will also be revisited in East Lancashire as Burnley Council responds to Angela Raynor’s invitation for opinions on devolution. Local democracy reporter Bill Jacobs writes that the authority’s Labour group has secured an extraordinary meeting to discuss the issue next month.
Burnley was among the lower tier councils to vote against the previously agreed deal so expect more calls for a new agreement to be requested.
Like last week, we’re celebrating the anniversary of an historic theatre in this section thanks to Blackpool Grand Theatre reaching the 130-year milestone. Since opening in 1894, the seaside venue has hosted the likes of John Gielgud, Alec Guinness and Noel Coward.
It has been threatened with demolition and briefly used a bingo hall and had but its original purpose was saved thanks to a campaign group featuring legendary comic Ken Dodd and members of the public.
“As we celebrate 130 years of our cherished theatre, we reflect on a legacy rich with artistic brilliance and the huge honour of royal patronage from the King himself.
"From the Grand opening night in 1894 to the countless unforgettable performances that have followed, this theatre has stood as a beacon of culture and inspiration for the whole community.
"Our heartfelt thanks go to all who have graced our stage, and to our loyal audiences and royal supporters who have sustained us throughout the decades."
Blackpool Grand Theatre Chief Executive Officer, Adam Knight
Another anniversary was celebrated this week - 25 years since the iconic Eric Morecambe statue first went on display on Morecambe’s promenade. The statue was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 and remains a magnet for visitors who love to pose alongside it.
The original fibreglass and wood sculpture has gone on display in Lancaster as part of an exhibition marking the anniversary - head over to Beyond Radio for more on that and the statue’s surprisingly dramatic past.
Once again we finish with some What’s On stories from the past week. If you have any recommendations you’d like to see featured here, get in touch at jamie@thelead.uk
Lancaster's very first Mexican cocktail bar and restaurant set to open soon
South Asian heritage free exhibition to be held in Fishergate Shopping Centre
Preston-born author explores the ‘the Witch of Woodplumpton’ legend in new book
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