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Thursday, 29 January 2009 |
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Save Wells, The Credit Crunch and an EU Ruling. At the outset of 2009 we look at the progress on Save Wells and it is immediately apparent that so much has changed since the start of our campaign. Save Wells was founded in response to the original proposal by Centros for a large shopping development on the site of our bus station in Wells. Since then global economic conditions have changed, the negative outlook surrounding job security and a generally more cautious approach to household budgeting have hit High Street spending and the 'Credit Crunch' has made it difficult for firms to raise finance. The combination of these factors is manifested in the sad state of our High Streets both local and nationwide. For this reason, now more than ever, we must oppose the building of further retail units when we are unable to fill even the currently available High Street vacancies. The Wells Journal, on 24th December 2008, featured an article entitled ‘EU Forces Rethink of City Development’. This has given us hope that other companies may be given the opportunity to put forward their own proposals, rather than the situation at present where we are offered the Centros development or none. However, given our contracting economy it must be said that we are unlikely to have an abundance of proposals to consider. Save Wells, like Mendip District Council, would like to see improvements in Wells, but perhaps we differ in believing that the most suitable development would be an organic, community driven process, rather than a development financed by, and for the benefit of corporate concerns. In the meantime, whilst the future of the development is determined, we must support our local businesses as much as we can in order for them to survive. |
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Tuesday, 13 January 2009 |
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French leisure centre ruling hits Mendip Mendip District Council has found itself embroiled in a controversial European ruling which has put the brakes on the Centros multi-million pound redevelopment. |
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Tuesday, 26 February 2008 |
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Centros presented their latest proposal to the Mendip District Council Community Partnership meeting at Wells Town Hall on Tuesday 26th february.This was an opportunity for Members of the Partnership and the public to provide Centros with verbal feedback on its revised proposals. Save Wells Chairman Tony Everard drew applause from the well attended meeting when he responded to the presentation.
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 |
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Centros Miller have just revealed their revised masterplan which no longer includes Tesco as part of the development proposal. Save Wells are in the process of formulating a response to the "revised" plans. Watch this space! See Plan Here Let us know your views? Have your say in the forum. |
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Wednesday, 12 December 2007 |
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Mendip District Council have issued their first official response to the proposals... The Joint Technical Officer response to the initial concept plan. Read Full Report Here The report was revealed to councillors at a meeting of Mendip's cabinet committee on November 12th. The Princes Road area, subject to redevelopment investigation, includes Council owned land and capital generating amenities. Should redevelopment proposals progress, the Council will need to consider its financial options and any development agreement concerning this land The response reflects joint officer opinion in the Council's capacity as a facilitator of economic development and as a landowner. The Council owns the site of the Princes Road car park, the bus and coach station and the land and premises occupied by the Wells Film Centre."
The views are not those of Local Planning Authority because at this concept stage, the Council has not been engaged formally in that role. Nevertheless the Council's development control section has been involved in discussion about the proposal and has contributed to the corporate technical officer response. The response forms part of a process agreed with Centros Miller to inform their production of a draft masterplan for the subsequent consideration of Members of the Cabinet. |
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Tuesday, 16 October 2007 |
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Tincknell's premises could become home to a new Sainsbury's supermarket.
Will Wells benefit from more supermarket competition? Is this a better location for a new supermarket? Visit the forum and have your say
An exhibition of the plans was held at the Swan Hotel in Sadler Street on Friday January 18 and Saturday January 19th. |
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Thursday, 08 November 2007 |
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A petition organised by SAVE WELLS attracted a total of 3,777 signatures from people protesting against the development concepts for Wells put forward by Centros Miller. On the 9th of November the petition was presented to Mendip District Council, with a copy to the Mayor of Wells by Save Wells Chairman Tony Everard
The petition read: We, the undersigned, reject the Centros-Miller development proposal for the Princes Road area of Wells as inappropriate for the medieval City of Wells. We petition Mendip District Councillors to vote to reject it, and to undertake a wider consultation on community enhancing development that is more appropriate to the City's needs. The majority of petitioners came from Wells and the surrounding villages, but a significant number of people have visited Wells as tourists, or have connections with the City, from as far afield as America and Australia. The first phase of the SAVE WELLS campaign was highly successful. From the first packed meeting in the Town Hall to the presentation of the petition, thousands of people have voiced their objections not only to the general development concepts set out by Centros Miller, but also to a number of specific issues. These included: - The proposed closure of Princes Road.
- Ownership of such a large area of Wells by a development company.
- The high proportion of retail outlets, which people fear will have a detrimental effect on the High Street, as has happened elsewhere with Centros Miller development.
- The expansion of Tesco beyond that given in planning permission.
- The moving of the recently refurbished bus station.
A large number of volunteers were involved with both, and SAVE WELLS is grateful for the time and energy they gave.
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