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Where next for Stockland?
(November 20, 2003)NEWS is filtering out among Warminster people that councillors
have rejected a plan to radically alter the look of the area behind the
Market Place which would have included placing a new supermarket slap
bang in front of the Avenue School.
"The decision last night has not been greeted with great
celebration among those I have spoken to but more with a quiet sense
of satisfaction that grassroots commonsense has prevailed," says Paul
Macdonald.
"Those of us with planning experience however know that it may not be the end of the matter."
Council staff had written a report recommending permission for the
plans which has certainly raised eyebrows amongst some in this current
climate of distrust of politics.
Stockland, own the Three Horseshoes Walk, sought the go-ahead to
demolish and replace the town library, the TIC and the CAB to make
their scheme work and extend their sphere of influence.
They also needed control over the public car parks.
Paul wrote an in-depth summary of that report using his experience
as a former planning councillor. The application failed on five of the
grounds highlighted in those words.
"Stockland obviously wish to make the most of their investment
which is right and proper for a commercial organisation," warns Paul.
"But we have the planning set-up to look after our other interests in the town."
The Western area planning committee of councillors refused arguing
that proposal would provide too much shopping space contrary to the
2004 West Wilts Plan creating a conflict between users of the space eg
pedestrians, delivery, parking and users of school and surgeries
They also objected to loss of bus parking and insufficient
provision of car parking spaces and thought the scheme was out of
keeping with the area.
"Stockland may have a strategy which may be incremental in achieving the best for their interest," says Paul
"They began this process by presenting themselves to the town
council. They then slightly amended their proposal after initial
oficial responses.
"However, they may not want to give way any more. They certainly
have the option to appeal the decision so the meeting last night may
just have been a dress rehearsal."