29 Jul

Northgate Consultation gets Green Light

"What to do with Northgate" the dialogue re-opens — “What to do with Northgate” the dialogue re-opens

A meeting of Sedgemoor District Council today set the terms of reference for the future of Northgate which included genuine public consultation and the prioritisation of leisure options, enhancement of green space and preservation of buildings of heritage value.

The meeting started with a Labour ammendment to the SDC Medium Term Financial Plan proposed by Cllr Mick Lerry and seconded by Cllr Brian Smedley to ring fence £1million of the windfall saved from the Tesco Compensation to be used for the future of Northgate.

No! To Tesco Windfall

Tory leader Duncan McGinty rejects ringfencing Tesco windfall for Northgate.

Cllr Smedley (Lab,Westover) said “This money was generated here in Bridgwater and instead of being put into paying off old borrowing should be allocated to whatever project finally gets the go ahead on Northgate. The Tesco Compensation was £5m in total. £4m has rightly been used to fund the replacement swimming pool and so the £1m remaining should be used for pump priming whatever comes out of the consultation with the people of Bridgwater.”

SDC leader Cllr Duncan McGinty (Con, East Polden) said “It is not Council practice to ring-fence funds. As and when a business case for the future of Northgate site is made, the funding would be discussed at that time. The £1,035,000 remaining from the £5.3million compensation payment from Tesco, will used to pay of other borrowings which will save £127,000 per year in interest payments.”

The Labour motion was defeated 33-7 with all Tory (plus the 2 UKIP) councillors backing Cllr McGinty.

Yes! To Leisure,Green space and Heritage

Bridgwater had better luck with a second amendment put by Labour group Leader Cllr Mick Lerry (Lab, Victoria) to a report on Northgate which called for the future consultation on Northgate to involve Bridgwater Town Council and local people at all stages and for “any future discussions with developers to include leisure and recreation and the preservation of historical buildings and green spaces”.

This time the amendment was accepted by Cllr McGinty who said “There is no immediate need to rush into the next steps for the site and there is an opportunity to get it right. To that end, there would be a comprehensive Stakeholder and Community Engagement Plan, to give every opportunity for people to comment.”

The amendment was backed by Cllr Ann Bown (Con,Wembdon) who said “ I never wanted Tesco to be built and always hoped that a leisure provider would come forward instead.”

The amendment was supported and the revised motion agreed unanimously.

Yes! To Community engagement

Ian Tucker "Unique opportunity to provide something that the town wants and can be proud of" — Ian Tucker “Unique opportunity to provide something that the town wants and can be proud of”

It was further noted that Somerset County Council intended to explore the possibility of placing a primary school on the site and that this could alter the amount of land available for other development.

The Council also took notice of the comments from the public meeting, held in March at Bridgwater Trinity Hall and agreed to continue to work with SCC and Bridgwater Town Council to take stock of the current property, retail and financial climates. A detailed project plan, including a Stakeholder and Community Engagement Plan, would be prepared by the end of August 2015.
It was further agreed to allocate up to £50,000 from Council resources to make sure that independent and expert property advice is obtained.

The meeting was addressed by members of the public including former councillor Ian Tucker who said “What is the point of building 1,000s of new houses without providing sufficient leisure facilities and open space? We now have a unique opportunity for this council to provide something that the town wants and can be proud of” .

Westover resident Nick Gibson added “Although you have expanded the housing and the industrial estates you are not leaving space for leisure and well being. Green spaces are being built on and you are keen to build on more! It’s time to stop hating the people of Bridgwater and build a town that everyone can be proud of and can enjoy. Please stop bashing Bridgwater”

Look at Northgate afresh and move forward

Cllr Smedley said after the meeting “It’s a shame that the Tories didn’t support our proposals to match the Tesco compensation money with the site that generated it as people clearly see that connection even if they don’t. However, it is positive that the Council is supportive of our plans to look at Northgate afresh and move forward based on full consultation with the people of Bridgwater as outlined by the Town Council. It’s also crucial that they have recognised the key need for leisure, the desire to save green space and to protect our heritage.”

“The next step in determining the future of Northgate will be the launch of the consultation process beginning at the Bridgwater Town Development Forum meeting of August 12th . Now that Sedgemoor and Bridgwater have agreed to work together on this let’s put it to the people.”

25 Jul

Crowds go wild in celebration as St Mary street re-opens for traffic

Leader of Town Council goes crazy party throwing bonkers as traffic once more flows freely

Bunting was flown, champagne corks popped, streamers filled the air and…no they didn’t, the little plastic barrier was simply removed and the road finally re-opened after months of chaos and loss of trade. St Mary street is now once again and entry and exit road to Bridgwater town centre.

Mayor of Bridgwater Cllr Leigh Redman, who, as County Councillor for the wad has been keeping people in touch with developments and pressing EDF every step of the way said “It’s about time. We’ve been working together to get this sped up, we now need to look at community mitigation for the traders and whenever works like this happen they need to remember to consider the effects on residents and traders alike.”

Traders count the cost

Leader of Bridgwater Town council Brian Smedley said “Finally the road works at Taunton road are complete and the traffic lights sequenced correctly. At last St Mary Street ,and therefore the town ,is open for trade again. But at what cost? Traders have lost 1000’s during the past 6 months and ought to be compensated by EDF for this. It’s hard to put a convincing case for any actual benefit brought by these road changes other than it meant EDF didn’t have to pay for a by-pass and chose to do this instead. Clearly a big loss for the town as we’d campaigned for a by-pass all along and obviously all these works-of which there’ll be more, are a major loss for town centre traders.”

Adding an extra element of excitement to the proceedings, Ross Edwards of EDF said “As planned we opened the Taunton Road lane on 22 July. We still have minor snagging to undertake and the synchronisation of the lights with others in the town needs to be fine-tuned. Until this work is complete we’re not 100 percent finished on the improvements. I will let you know in advance if the finishing touches are likely to affect road users/businesses/residents, hopefully they will not.I will confirm when we are fully finished.”

21 Jul

Brownes Pond footpath finally to close so that works can start

brownes pond path — Brownes pond footpath to be closed for works to be carried out

Somerset County Council have finally given notice of the temporary closure of the footpath alongside Brownes Pond so that the long awaited works can commence. The notice period for the order will start on 17 August and SCC say the works should be completed in 10 weeks. All traffic will be prohibited along the 106 metre section of the path which runs south alongside Browne’s Pond from the footbridge over the Bridgwater and Taunton canal as there will be a danger to the public whilst improvements are being carried out to the cycling and walking facilities..

Welcome news for residents

Westover resident Simi Bignall said “This is welcome news as the improvement of this pathway has been a long time coming. The initial consultation with members of Friends of Browne’s Pond and other local residents took place on 22nd August 2013. Since then, there have been amendments to the original design and a series of delays to the commencement of works which has been most frustrating to local people. The widening of the path together with making the slope leading up to the canal bridge less steep, will make the journey into town much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and people in mobility scooters. The fencing will make the area safer for everyone too. Most of all, this will be an enhancement to Browne’s Pond, a place that local volunteers have and continue to care for for the benefit of everyone. “

Councillor’s continued chasing bears fruit

County Councillor for Bridgwater South Leigh Redman said “I have been chasing SCC highways to confirm start date, I have requested a site meeting with contractors to ensure I am aware fully of the scope of work.I am pleased that with the continued chasing it looks like the works will be starting soon, I am aware that this may see the footpath closed during fair but felt if I agreed to another delay the works would never get done. I really do look forward to the new footpath and more so the widened bridge making this a safe area for all.”

The Order will come into effect on 17 August and will remain in force for six months although the path is only likely to be closed for 10 weeks.

For further details about the closure please contact The Bridgwater Way tbw@somerset.gov.uk.

21 Jul

SEDGEMOOR PLANNERS REJECT HOPE INN DEMOLITION

Hope springs eternal as planners reject developers proposals for iconic building

At today’s meeting of the Sedgemoor Development Committee members voted overwhelmingly to throw out the plans to demolish the Hope Inn and build 22 appartments on the site. A proposal by Cllr Hill (Con,Cheddar) seconded by Cllr Granter (Lab, Fairfax) rejected the plan on it’s design claiming it wasn’t in line with SDC policy D2 which called for ‘high quality and inclusive design’. Along with this a last minute objection by SCC Highways on grounds of reduced visibility was included in the reasons for rejection . The vote was 11 in favour of rejection with 3 abstentions.

Alan Hurford of Bridgwater Town Council spoke against the application as did Westover ward Councillor Brian Smedley.

Ward Councillors statement as follows ;-

“Bridgwater Town Council has objected to this, the Town’s Community Assets Working Party-that’s an amalgam of the Town Council and the Civic Society felt so strongly that we bid and succeeded in getting the building listed as an Asset of Community Value in September 2014 with full SDC support, and all town ,district and county ward representatives are objecting to this along with 30 letters of objection from local residents. This is NOT a popular planning application..

Conversion not demolition

Cllr Brian Smedley "It's about time we insisted on quality build projects that actually fit into the neighbourhoods" — Cllr Brian Smedley “It’s about time we insisted on quality build projects that actually fit into the neighbourhoods”

We remain appalled at the wanton and contrived destruction of this iconic and viable building by purposeful deterioration through removal of the roof by a developer whose track record in Bridgwater is a trail of rubble heaps on the sites of former popular public houses. We recognise the statement by the Bridgwater Heritage group that this seems to be a developer completely out of touch with public feeling and local character. Clearly the Hope inn should be converted and not demolished.

The Town Councils policy on the subject of iconic buildings is that where development is proposed then an element of that iconic heritage structure or at least the façade should be retained or incorporated into the new and in a sympathetic way. This has not been the case here. It’s time we insisted on quality builds that actually fit into the areas they’re proposed for.

Taunton road –the A38 -is one of the busiest arterial roads in our town and is heavily congested at certain times of day and despite the ‘finished tommorrow’ EDF ‘improvements’ at the nearby Morrisons junction, it is and will remain a bottleneck-and at busy times traffic tends to separate itself exactly at the point of the Hope inn effectively making it 3 lane .

Exacerbate already difficult traffic problem

Clearly a development of this size will only exacerbate an already difficult traffic problem. It should be noted that opposite the proposed development is Southgate avenue – an entrance point onto Taunton road from the now overdeveloped ‘Old Taunton rd’-a narrow 19th century backstreet now home to 100’s of new build properties stacked high along the canal bank.

It should be further noted that mere metres away from this junction yet another proposed new housing development on the Paragon laundry site will see access again onto the same busy taunton road from even more houses.

Town Clerk Alan Hurford "This application is a disgrace and should have been treated differently from the outset." — Town Clerk Alan Hurford “This application is a disgrace and should have been treated differently from the outset.”

And directly opposite is Hamp Green rise, with it’s access to and from Blake school, therefore heavily congested at certain times of day, shortly followed by Rhode lane, the main feeder road into the Hamp estate plus 4 other nearby roads joining onto the A38 within a short distance of each other. -5 if you include access to lakeside caravan park.

Therefore traffic generation and road safety in an area of heavy footfall is a key point of concern for this proposed development as you can see by the large number of residents from Fernleigh avenue, Hamp green rise and Taunton rd who have gone to the trouble of writing to you.

Parking provision may seem adequate but in reality this large number of residential units in an already overcrowded area will result in more pressure on limited space in nearby streets, which has been highlighted by residents responses to the application, there are many 2 car families and these streets have already come under more pressure from town centre commuters especially since the civil parking enforcement regime came into force a few years back

Detrimental impact on neighbourhood

We also believe that such a development will have a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood as the size and scale will clearly be overbearing relative to the size of the site and close proximity to neighbouring properties which will obviously suffer from overlooking.

Cllr Dave Loveridge "Design is reminiscent of Prisoner in Cell Block H" — Cllr Dave Loveridge “Design is reminiscent of Prisoner in Cell Block H”

We believe the proposed development-and this is 22 appartments on multi levels – would have a detrimental effect on the landscape, not only replacing a well loved, attractive building with a characterless block of appartments, but adding an extra storey to the rows of adjacent 2 storey homes thus impacting detrimentally upon the character of the area.The least we should expect of any development here is that any replacement should blend in with the character of the neighbourhood

This proposal appears to us-and to the many residents who have objected judging by their responses- to be cramming in as many unattractive units into one small space as they can –possibly-legally fit , at the expense of an iconic building on a key entrypoint into our town and we feel we’re with the overwhelming majority in opposing this.”

Cllr Dave Loveridge (Lab, Eastover) said “If beauty is in the eye of the beholder the designers must be myopic. This building design reminds me of Prisoner in Cell Block H”

16 Jul

Road to Nowhere……still not finished

After months of chaos works are finally complete on the tauton road Broadway junction — After months of chaos works are finally complete on the Taunton road Broadway junction

A few days ago the EDF/SCC works on the Taunton Road/Broadway junction, after bringing months of traffic chaos to the town, were finished and the roads open and things back to normal. Or were they? Traffic is flowing nicely on 3 of the 4 roads but what‘s this? St Mary street still closed? Even though the road is finished and the works compound gone? Surely not! We asked local traders what was going on.

Lee Passmore of Biddiscombes said “Yesterday I had a visit from EDF ‘Communications Manager‘ Ross Edwards, who informed me that the reason why the bottom of St.Mary’s Street was still closed to traffic (despite all the construction work being completed) was entirely due to the fact that the new traffic light sequencing was not yet “on stream”. A decision had been made by SCC and EDF to leave the lane closed as this would cause “less disruption” to the junction. Never mind the through route from the town centre remaining closed for more weeks.“

But wht's this? Hoods over the traffic lights on St Mary street while the road surface below is 100% completed! — But wht’s this? Hoods over the traffic lights on St Mary street while the road surface below is 100% completed!

Mr Passmore didn’t seem too impressed “Once again, it’s SCC showing us where their priorities lie – not with Bridgwater businesses, that’s for sure! I expressed my concerns to Mr. Edwards, that the road should be opened forthwith, as the “old” system for the traffic lights is still in place. Today, I learnt (from a reliable source), that the ONLY reason for a delay in opening the junction, was for EDF (and presumably SCC) to organise an “opening ceremony”/photo opportunity, to showcase the results of their collaborative efforts,( presumably subtitled “How to Railroad a Small Town”.) If this is true, everyone needs to know, to understand in what regard we are held, as townsfolk and business owners. Put simply, we don’t count! Councillors, have you had your invites to the party?“

Mayor ‘a bit miffed’

Surely some mistake? A perfectly fine open completed road yet plastic barriers keeping it closed?

Cllr Leigh Redman, County Councillor for Bridgwater South and Mayor of Bridgwater hadn’t had any such invite and was extremely angry with the delay in opening. Throughout the whole process Leigh had diligently kept pressure on EDF and SCC to deliver on their timetables and at the same time had kept residents informed of every twist, turn, delay, and work schedule of the whole process. Leigh said “ I’m sure people are angry as it is alleged that EDFe have only kept the road closed, further depriving local shop keepers of revenue, just because they could not speed up the final commissioning, the road has been closed for more than week, EDFe must be able to speed the process! They say they care but do nothing! I am calling on EDFe to do everything in their power to open up the road and help our traders.”

Town Clerk “not happy with progress”

Town Clerk Alan Hurford hadn’t had any invite. He immediately wrote to SCC & EDF saying “CAN somebody please explain after all the effort to get finished early as possible and all roads open including the key St Mary Street/ Taunton Road south lane WHY still shut off ?? No wonder residents and traders are mad and going madder.I trust there is absolutely NO truth in the rumour mill suggesting being held back for a grand opening ceremony.If it is solely because lights set up not complete – remember all worked OK before work began.”

Ward Councillor “Going a bit mental”

and here's some lovely kittes to calm us all down again — and here’s some lovely kittens to calm us all down again

Cllr Brian Smedley, ward councillor and Leader of Bridgwater Town Council had heard nothing of any invite. Brian immediately visited the site and confirmed the road could be opened by a simple physical removal of the remaining pointless plastic barriers and that the traffic lights were working underneath some easy to remove temporary canopies and immediately contacted EDF offering to remove them along with the barriers.

EDF “We’re not quite finished actually”

So we asked EDF. Spokesman Ross Edwards replied. “We remain well ahead of schedule for completing the works and are confident it will be complete soon.We have to commission the ‘intelligent’ lights, with SCC present, they’re working hard to get the right person onto site to do this as soon as possible. I will update you all and residents/businesses when it’s been commissioned successfully, this is when the diversion will be removed.”

‘Get it finished then!’

and here's what the road will look like when it;s finished....wait a minute...it IS FINISHED. — and here’s what the road will look like when it;s finished….wait a minute…it IS FINISHED.

This didn’t seem the best outcome for the hard pressed traders so the ward councillors wrote back “As you are ahead of schedule, why not OPEN THE ROAD. That’s what the traders have been demanding for several months.When you’ve finished-open the road.You are ahead of your original schedule but you’re marginally behind your updated schedule which you talked to town council about last month with the promise of things being sped up due to night working. One of the key problems we’ve had throughout has been the ill-placed compound on St Mary Street. Right now there is simply the outline of where it was, some pointless plastic barriers marking where it has been and some traffic lights, which are working fine, but have hoods on them. Why don’t you just uncover them, move the barriers and liberate the traders from their months of suffering!? Please can you tell me if there is any truth in the story that you are either planning a grand opening ceremony, if so what the date for that is and if so, why you can’t open the road NOW and then close it for 5 minutes to have your ceremony in future”

Like the road, the correspondence was getting nowhere. Ross Edwards replied “The rumour is false.
When the ‘intelligent’ lights are successfully commissioned we’ll remove the diversion, we’re not finished yet.”

So we’re not finished yet…..but…we are…..aren’t we??

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