We the residents of Paris Avenue, Winstanley, Wigan and others that neighbour the Goose Green Cricket Club raise objection to and ask the council to revoke the planning permission for the Goose Green Cricket Club on the following grounds.

1. Adequacy of parking/loading/turning

At the time of the original application, objections from residents were submitted based upon the adequacy of the cricket club to provide sufficient and adequate parking.  The initial objection raised concerns that as this was a cricket club, there would normally be a minimum of 27 people involved without spectators or other visitors to the ground.

It would be unlikely that these 27 people would travel to the ground together and therefore the number of probable vehicles would exceed the planned number of parking spaces in the planning permission.

As access to the ground was to be permitted through a small cul-de-sac which has no pavements this would lead to potential hazards for pedestrians and the volume of traffic accessing the grounds would be excessive for such an access point.

Furthermore, the likelihood of vehicles from the cricket club parking in this cul-de-sac would be high and this would restrict resident access to their drives as there is no where to park without restricting access for residents of the cul-de-sac.

In addition, the width of the cul-de-sac access is just capable of allowing 2 vehicles to pass side by side with caution.  If one of the vehicles happens to be larger than a standard saloon vehicle such as a 3.5t or larger vehicle (especially vehicles like ambulances or fire tenders) then it is not possible to pass.  

In cases where excess vehicles from the cricket club cannot park within their own grounds these vehicles are now as predicted, often parked in this narrow access or in the turning circle at the end of the cul-de-sac.  This causes a hazard and prevents emergency vehicles accessing either the cricket club or the houses within the cul-de-sac and could be life threatening.

When vehicles from the club then start to park further into Paris Avenue as accessed from Holmes House Avenue leads to cars being parked partially on both pavements and across from each other, therefore once again narrowing Paris Avenue to 1 vehicle in or out.  As Paris Avenue is on a gradient it is not possible to see the full road and with this type of issue of double parking it has serious probability of leading to an accident and potentially a fatal incident involving a pedestrian.

The double parking of vehicles also forces pedestrians into the roadway area as they cannot pass vehicles parked on the pavement on either side.  This route is not only used by residents of Paris Avenue but by many pedestrians using the access from Billinge Road through the estate to Holmes House Avenue.  Many of these pedestrians have prams with infants and are being forced into a dangerous position by the cricket club and its visitors.

2. Highway safety.

The objections above are all also part of the need for highway safety but this is extended in the fact that the exit from Paris Avenue onto Holmes House Avenue is on the brow of the gradient of Paris Avenue.  This makes entering or exiting Paris Avenue a dangerous manoeuvre because line of sight is blocked by the parked vehicles which breaks the Highway Code rule of NO PARKING within 32 Feet (10 metres) from a junction.

In all cases where excess vehicles from the cricket club use Paris Avenue for parking, all violate this basic highway code rule. 

Cars blocking the pathways cause serious problems for pedestrians - especially the elderly, disabled people and those who are using prams or pushchairs. Highway safety rules state to keep the pavements clear for such pedestrians

The Highway Code also states that you shouldn’t park your car even partially on the pavement.  This rule is often overlooked by local police forces when in a residential area however owners of such vehicles can be prosecuted under the current laws.

Reading the highway code further, it also states that you shouldn’t park in dangerous places or areas where you could potentially block the access to essential services or entries. You should avoid leaving your vehicle in areas near schools and property entrances, bus stops, lowered kerbs or anywhere where you could impede the Emergency Service’s access to premises.  The use of any part of Paris Avenue for excess Cricket Club vehicles impedes emergency vehicle access.

As already pointed out the access to the club is via Paris Avenue and a small cul-de-sac without pavements and into a residential area where there is always likely to be small children as this is a family estate.  The excess speed of vehicles attending the club and high volume of traffic the club is generating at all times of day and night presents a significant highway safety issue.

3. Traffic generation

As can be seen from the previous two paragraphs the development and use of the area known as “Pony Dick” for the Goose Green Cricket Club and the excess traffic this causes for Paris Avenue means that the design of the roads are no longer fit for purpose.

As it is impossible to reengineer Paris Avenue to cater for the volume of traffic it is now seeing leads to only one conclusion and that is the Planning Permission for the Cricket Club should be revoked.

The initial objections launched by the residents when initial planning permission was requested were ignored or deliberately overlooked/misplaced as the chairman of the Goose Green Club at that time was also the local councillor for the area.

As the general game of cricket has seen an increase of popularity due to the national team’s success means that local grass roots clubs are also seeing an increase in popularity.  It is the residents of Paris Avenue assertion that such considerations where were not given adequate thought, and this has now led to the issues raised above.

This has led to an excess generation of traffic into an area that was never designed for such volumes.

As already mentioned, the residents of the area have already made representation to the club and the local council about the parking, excess speed of visitors to the club, the volume of traffic being generated entering and exiting from the ground and through Paris Avenue in general.  Given the numerous highway safety issues already identified the excessive speed and volume of traffic just exacerbates the overall situation and needs to be addressed.

Once again these issues should support the council revoking the planning permission for the Goose Green Cricket Club use of Pony Dick.

4. Noise and disturbance resulting from use

As was noted in the initial planning permission application objections the expected noise and disturbance anticipated from the granting of planning approval would have a significant impact on residents within the catchment area of cricket club grounds.

The club generates significant noise during matches that means resident peace is disturbed and now many must close windows to try to reduce the sound levels emanating from the club grounds.

Often the noise and sounds travel far greater distance than normal social back garden noise as the grounds are open as needed for such a sport.  This means there is little to stop the noise being dissipated.

The noise contains significant amounts of “foul language” which is inappropriate anywhere but in a residential area that was always going to contain very small, young vulnerable children is unacceptable.

When the cricket club gates are not open traffic builds up in the access area and residents have had to complain about the vehicles parked with music blaring at levels which are excessive and a major disturbance for residents.

The noise emanating from the ground begins at an early hour often with grounds maintenance meaning numerous mowers and other tools are used with high decibel noise levels and now extends late into the evening with this noise being fuelled by the provision and consumption of alcohol at the club.  Residents are being subjected to extended noise disturbance as the club now operates late into many weekday evenings and is once again fuelled by the consumption of alcohol.  

Recently the club tried to curry greater favour within the local community by putting on a “community fun day” to raise funds.  At no time were residents of Paris Avenue or other areas surrounding the club advised of the plans or consulted about such activities.

The event saw hours upon hours of very load music, general noise and this began at 07 00 in the morning with preparations for the event and went on till well; after 22 00 again with noise being fuelled by the provision and consumption of alcohol.   The event was supposed to be a 1 day affair yet it was over 3 days with the preparation and dismantling of event activities meaning residents were disturbed over a longer period than was licensed for.

The Club does not have and residents will strongly object to any application for a licence to sell alcohol by the club.  There are more than sufficient local establishments serving these needs within the area and the extension of the club activities should be clearly barred.

Disturbance caused by the club must also include all the safety concerns identified above under the traffic generation, parking and highway safety concerns highlighted.

Given the objections raised and ignored at the initial planning stage, the current and escalating issues now being caused the residents now petition for the revocation of the planning approval and the removal of the club from the area of "Pony Dick".

See some of our photo evidence at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196215756@N08/

If you wish to contact use please email: ParisAvenueResidents@gmail.com

Please sign this petition to support the revocation of the current planning permission.