My 5th year as Chair has again gone all too quickly. We have had 7 meetings, 3 talks, one by John Grimshaw on the proposed cycle routes, another by Richard Silson about the new planning proposals and the third by Tony Swain, his 4th talk on Lost Buxton. We have also had a walk led by Trevor Gilman on past and present entertainment venues.
Thank you to the Committee for your help, support and valuable input to the group. Thank you to our President Trevor, and Mike for his feedback on Vision Buxton and for sending many letters and e-mail's on our behalf. Thank you to our secretary, Sheila Morten and David Morten for being treasurer and membership secretary. During this year, we have started to e-mail news, rather than producing a newsletter. Those not on e-mail still receive information by post. We will also e-mail or post out the Chairs AGM summary straight after the meeting and not wait until just before the next AGM. This will be a better way of keeping the news up to date.
The new water bottling plant is now well under way at Waterswallows. Our Group opposed the pipes going up Fairfield Road and Mike, Trevor, Alan and Phil met to discuss an alternative route. By both a group and individual campaign, we were successful in forcing Nestle to withdraw the plans and use an alternative route.
The plans are now in for Tesco and we will discuss them after the AGM. Mike has written on behalf of the Group to Mr. Magee at Tesco with our concerns for good design of both the store and proposed student accommodation block, better traffic junctions in and out, better pedestrian access to the town centre, for example, a footbridge. Also, that we were not happy with the removal of railway parking. Mike has also written to Sue Ashworth, with regards to design, a better design for the student accommodation and better traffic movement in and out.
After the talk by John Grimshaw, we wrote to support the idea of a cycle trail and supported the Redgap Lane to the A6 via Church Lane and the Woo Dale application to link the Monsal Trail into Buxton. The Staker Hill section was passed. The Buxton Group also became members of the Peak Cycle Links Company.
There was a suggestion of pay and display on more roads in the Buxton Advertiser. Joanne wrote to Steve Alcock, County Hall, Matlock as we were particularly concerned about Burlington and Hartington Roads due to the doctor's surgeries. Councilors Robin Baldry and Pam Reddy are also opposed for the same reason. We recommended perhaps limiting the parking to 1 or 2 hours free. Public consultations will be done before anything is implemented.
Richard Silson led a consultation with Vision Buxton about improvements that could be made to Spring Gardens should funding become available. Many of our group members had input with their comments and a summary A4 sheet was produced. Suggestions were to remove clutter, better street furniture, control vehicle access, better pedestrian route signage, more activities, stone planters, a water clock and information kiosk with toilets.
Our group frequently expressed a desire for the Haddon Hall frontage to be kept in any future development, so it was with sadness that following a fire on safety grounds the building was demolished.
Phil wrote to Terry Crawford, the head of visitor services, about the state of the Conservatory, who wrote back to say the broken window had been repaired, but would benefit from a repaint. We will continue to monitor and report on any further deterioration.
Mike wrote to the Advertiser on our behalf, asking what the alternatives to the Crescent parking when the hotel building starts. High Peak Borough Council will find an alternative site after consultation with local residents and businesses. The Crescent has been awarded f500,000 by English Heritage. There is still an application in for f3.5 million from the Regional Growth Fund. Enabling works are due to start soon. Amended plans were passed with conditions and comments from the Environment Agency.
The Pavilion Gardens Play area has had a f70,000 refurbishment and the swimming pool is finally open again. We also have a fantastic new Fire Station.
We were very pleased when the Water bottling Plant at Cowdale was turned down for numerous reasons, as both the group and individuals had both campaigned against it. But we were angered when the Cowdale Quarry powerhouse was demolished, even though English Heritage was in the process of listing it.
We have spent a lot of time looking at various planning applications in addition to the pre mentioned
- Plans approved for 10 affordable homes at Garden House Farm, Tongue lane. Our group had recently opposed a block of housing proposed for the site.
- The old Fire Station, Compton Road to be demolished and replaces by 21 homes (4 affordable)
- Templemore was on hold waiting for a Village Green application, but plans were passed and work is now underway
- 200 million pound second cement kiln at Tarmac -approved
- Refurbishment of Victorian house to create additional 5 flats at l5 The Nook, Park Road
- Conversion of St. John's ambulance building into 3 flats and integral garages at St. John's Hall, Holker Road
- Linden Raine, Palace Road, 14 apartments, time limit extension -approved.
- 33 St. John's Road, plans for 7 apartments, 2-3 stories which back onto the Serpentine Walks refused.
- Change of use from domestic to student accommodation at 26 Park Road
- Six, 3 story semi- detached homes on Dale Road -approved
- Demolish former Liberal Club, Fairfield and build 5 homes- refused
We have had another busy year. Thank you to everyone for their contribution. We will strive to continue to have an effect on planning and positive things for Buxton.
4. Election of Officers
Joanne agreed to stay on as chairman - Sheila proposed and Margaret seconded.
The committee were voted back 'en bloc'.
A normal business meeting followed the AGM