Should all Building halt?

SHOULD ALL BUILDING HALT?

There are regular complaints about 'traffic levels' by residents of Whitchurch, especially when housing developments or the School Run are being discussed. It is a very understandable concern especially from the residents local to the schools who already have to bear the brunt of regular pavement parking/driving, speeding vehicles and dangers to pedestrians and cyclists.

A Nursery pushed traffic up the agenda
One such example arose with a recent planning application for a Nursery to be placed on the Knowlings Field, an area of agricultural land used unofficially as open space, but with difficult access.
A regular theme amongst the objectors was that the surrounding access roads, notably Micheldever Road which already provides access to the Primary and Secondary schools could not cope with any more 'traffic'.
The Nursery was to have 8 car park spaces all of which would be served via Micheldever Road.
The application was refused.

So... A major question has arisen.

Is any more 'traffic' in Micheldever Road and on the roads that lead off it acceptable?

The question I seriously pose is should ALL increases traffic now be objected to? Where do we now stand when assessing smaller developments; ones where the increase would be requiring only one or two new vehicle spaces; those for single new houses or extensions in size of existing ones.
Each application will generate more traffic as planning regulations often require the provision of additional parking spaces if bed spaces increase

It could take just four or five such applications to reach the level that was proposed for the Nursery and so strongly opposed.

Should we now be rejecting ALL applications that could generate extra traffic?

Being A Councillor – Mad?

"Why does anyone become a Councillor – they must be mad" – a statement made to me several times, and I must admit it has quite a lot of validity.
I've often thought I AM mad and I'm sure others do too.

This year all 12 seats of Whitchurch Town Council came up for election and it was with much serious consideration that I succumbed to some arm twisting to restand. Those responsible may come to rue their actions! Yes – I must be mad.

Town Councillors are local unpaid volunteers who have simply given their free time to try and make Whitchurch a better place – and they have their head permanently on the block.

Having been Chairman and Mayor for two terms was a massive honour that few are given and to be nominated a third time was just unbelievable. However I felt I must return to the 'back-benches' so declined the nomination and of course wish whoever takes on the role the "Best of Luck".

It was enjoyable and rewarding, but not without its difficulties as expectations in the community rise.
But the 'ordinary seats' offer opportunities – arguably a greater freedom to push for improvements, to fight for better amenities and services, to combat injustices, and to argue against those who want to change our town for the worse. Free from the rigours of leading the Council, this can now be easier – or in other words perhaps I will be a bit more of a nuisance!

So what drives me? And is it being a nuisance?

That's a dead easy question – it is to try and ensure that everyone can have a 'say' in their local community, even if I disagree with the opinions and ideas being expressed. Its a philosophy I live by and I do admit can put me into some difficulties at times but nothing beats being open, transparent, and accessible

If that's being a 'nuisance' so be it. 

Local residents, whoever they are, whatever their gender, age, race, religion or anything else, have a right to be heard and not to be ignored, fobbed off or belittled. 

But only if it were that easy.....

95% of the time it is rewarding and enjoyable and that's what makes it all worthwhile. As for the other 5%... smile and move on, there is too much nit-picking and negativity in the world today and it is best ignored. Let us ALL make Whitchurch a better place – Resident, Councillor, Nuisance, or whatever – nothing can beat working together to achieve that.

And as a footnote, as not all 12 seats are currently filled, there is a chance for co-option.
Anyone who would like to join the Town Council should contact the Town Hall as soon as possible.

John

A Tale of Two Signs

Pub signs rescued from
The Railway Hotel and The Harvest Home.

The importance of protecting what we have – in this case the Public House.

_____________________

Clearing out some pics I found this – taken when these Whitchurch pub signs were centre stage in a demo at Parliament a few years back.

Pubs lost to developers

These two Whitchurch pubs were lost without any opportunity for local residents to try and save them. Both the Railway and the Harvest Home were sold behind closed doors by their large remote PubCo owners taking advantage of a complicit planning system.
Local people held public meetings, lobbied councillors, planners, the MP, appeared on TV and radio and held on-site demos waving banners – all to no avail.
Housing is now on the two sites and the town has lost two social amenities.

Since then the law has changed and the introduction of the Asset of Community Value (ACV) is one tool added to the armoury of those who seek to keep local amenities, whether they be shops, a post office, halls or public houses.

A case in point...

Today IF an ACV is in place, local people can at least now have the opportunity to put in a bid to purchase, as is currently happening with the Red House in Whitchurch. Such community bids have to be considered by the seller within a legally enforced timeframe. Maybe the Red House team will succeed, maybe they won’t, but at least they now have the chance to have a go – and a gutsy one it is too, their commitment deserving much support.

But have lessons been learned? How many pubs have ACVs in place? What work could be done to improve the registration of such important assets? Could those who believe in the importance of our public houses, breweries and pub culture help? I believe that they could, by proactively working with the communities that value their local amenities. Be in touch if you want pointers.

It is interesting what passions and rants finding an old picture can raise. :-)