Forum Topic

Homebase site

The Planning Application for the conversion of the Homebase site will be considered by Planning Committe on 21st March. If you live or work nearby and are intererested in local democracy you might try to watch. 7.00 at the Town hall.I was surprised that the objection we discussed at the Consultation & later submitted in writing does not appear. We are concerned that residents who need a vehicle for work are not taken into account by planners at the moment. That is most traders,shopkeeoers,flower shops wine merchants domestic supplies? Most tradesmen ie plumbers, gas specialists, carpenters? In short, anyone who has to carry heavy goods or tools themselves in order to earn their livelihood. This car free policy is one thing. But what will hapoen to our small shops and markets? Who will fix the boiler when it breaks down? Be glad to hear what you tbink.

Maire Lowe ● 2889d6 Comments

"I suggested to council that the retail parking area should be available to residents overnight and at weekends. Maybe they could come up with a scheme to prioritise key workers who need vehicles and will be out at work during the day."As Maire points out too this sort of parking is needed.  Otherwise they park in the residential streets taking up far more space and far more light than they would if they only had a small car - and someone else in the household is likely to have one of those. Many people now take their office vans home because they are paid on a time basis from the time they start driving to the place they will be working that particular day.

Philippa Bond ● 2869d

There will be 70 parking spaces ... for people who visit the shop(s).So I guess a visiting plumber would use one of them and get back within the maximum period allowed.Shame that a plumber with a van would not be living in the block though ... as there is no residential parking except for blue badge holders.Maybe that is the grand plan - to become a focal point for blue badge holding tradespeople!I suggested to council that the retail parking area should be available to residents overnight and at weekends. Maybe they could come up with a scheme to prioritise key workers who need vehicles and will be out at work during the day.

Paul Webster ● 2869d

So what happens when you need a plumber?It can be difficult enough just to get hold of one when it is cold and people's boilers start breaking down but it is also easier to get one when there is leaking water when he has somewhere to park his van when he comes to visit...It's a lovely idea reducing the congestion caused by cars but it is really impracticable.Just visiting a hospital nowadays can be a trial because there aren't enough Blue Badge spaces and two relatives have to take time off work to accompany.  Blue Badges -presumably because of the misuse by a few in comparison to those who need them - have become more difficult to get because those who need them often don't have all the electronic trails and documentation requested.  They are too old to have so much documentation as they don't have a driving licence and don't have a passport any more an may not use the computer. Getting all this information together when it is more difficult to move around can be difficult.

Philippa Bond ● 2870d

What happened with this?

Christina Hill ● 2875d

This Planning Application will be heard at Committee this evening in the Town Hall. CANForum will make three objections. NOT to additional housing in the area, but to the proposed height and massing of the Development, to the parking arrangements and to express concern about the lack of an agreed traffic plan to allow people to cross the A40 at that point. Currently the traffic island in the middle of the very busy road has space for three people at any one time. Excluding prams and bicycles.Any support welcome. www.canforum.org.Join Us.

Maire Lowe ● 2876d

And home visits from Doctors and Carers they need parking spaces.

Janice Evans ● 2889d