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Beesley & Fildes Respond to Council Criticism over Whitakers Planning Application

By on Thursday, May 25, 2017

[Update 14/06/17: Scroll down for Knowsley Council’s response.]

The owners of Whitakers Garden Centre have hit back at criticisms from Knowsley Council’s planning department.

Beesley & Fildes filed an application to build houses on former greenbelt land adjacent to the Whitakers site, on Liverpool Road, Prescot.

Having withdrawn an initial application, they submitted the revised request earlier this year, but it was rejected.

In a letter that Prescot Online now publishes at the author’s request, company chairman John Beesley said Beesley & Fildes had followed planning procedure and “dealt with all the issues raised by the council.”

Talks between Beesley & Fildes and Knowsley Council have been ongoing since 2012, and at “considerable cost” to the business, according to Mr Beesley.

He described the planning refusal as “political,” saying it was clear that “the real reason why the council rejected the revised application is that they do not want to be seen to approve it with so many people opposing the application. They prefer us to appeal so they can state it was central government who approved it and not them.”

Prescot Online readers may read the full letter online (PDF). Knowsley Council’s original public announcement, dated 25 April, is online at knowsleynews.co.uk.

Update (14 June 2017): Knowsley Council have published their response to Mr Beesley’s claims. Read it here (PDF).

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