Barry Morrison, who is no supporter of the Tram, has pointed out a recent letter published in the Nottingham Post from Bill Newton from Birch Avenue, Beeston which is scathing of a number of current issues surrounding the tram development. You can read it at http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Global-warming-needs-practical-response/story-16641736-detail/story.html# Although this link refers to global warming, the page contains 3 letters. Scroll down to the second one to see what Bill Newton has to say.
Also see the post Tram Blights The Square – Beeston Closes
Bill and everyone else is of course perfectly entitled to their opinions. I for one do not agree with him on this letter. However, as I am prone to say there are a number of factual errors in the letter too:
He talks of 4 years, I assume referring to the construction period. The works are scheduled to be completed in 2 1/2 years i.e. end of 2014.
In previous communication (Bill lives in my ward) he used to say that no-one wanted the tram, I pointed out that the only professional survey conducted found 2:1 in favour for Beeson and Chilwell and 3:1 for the Clifton line, I see that is now modified.
I leave you to draw your opinions on construction workers outnumbering shoppers and the Luftwaffe.
Incidentally the multi-storey car park was in an even worse state than we thought. We expected to have to spend several millions on it by 2018 but we now know that was an underestimate.
Its time this debate moved on:
1. The tram is a done deal. It will benefit Greater Nottingham and there will be spin offs for Beeston.
2. There is disruption and we have to accept that this will get worse. Just wait until the track bed is being put down on Middle Street and Chilwell Road for instance.
What we need to think about is:
1. The protection of existing businesses on Chilwell Road in particular and in Beeston centre in general. What is being done in this respect?
2. The redevelopment of the Square. If you look down from the upstairs floor of Tesco, you will see the car park and fire station site is large. Include the old Square development then you have a lot of space to use fruitfully. There a is a whole raft of questions here. Where have discussion got to with Henry Boot? Do we need a new car park? What do residents want? What kind of scheme will be financially viable? I am sure there are lot’s more.
Let’s not waste our breathe on carping but look forward positively to securing and developing the centre of Beeston for the future.
Thank you Steve – there’s a lot to be discussed and let’s do it positively, moving forward.
To respond to some of your questions:
On Chilwell Road there is a financial assistance package in place. A trader needs to prove a loss from the corresponding period in the years before work started by producing his books for that period. Money will then be paid. There has only been one precedent to this when not all the money budgeted was paid as the traders couldn’t prove as big a loss as that projected.
Henry Boot have the lease on part of the Square. They have now agreed with Broxtowe the general terms for altering the buildings (Broxtowe are the freeholders) and hope to apply for detailed planning permission by Christmas for their improvements. So far they have Costa Coffee moving into one of the units (currently Ashley Peake who I understand are to move into the old Burrows and Close unit who have moved into new premises by the Manor Surgery). Their aim is to have it all let and functioning by the end of 2014.
The multi-storey, fire station and bus station site is as you say large even after the 4 platform interchange is taken out. Initially this will be a surface level car park with some landscaping. However, once the economy recovers and a good quality retailer is found the aim is to have a major unit here.
Car Parking; don’t forget that we have a new multi-storey – Tesco’s which has by planning agreement to allow 2 hrs minimum (they allow 3) free parking for everyone regardless as to whether or not they use Tesco. There will be more parking along Chilwell Road with a longer element of free parking. (Currently 30 mins free then £40). Ultimately Beeston will gain 2 park and ride sites.
Fortunately there has been a great deal of positive input from the public and hopefully there will be more. Where should the taxi rank and motobility be? Those who continually run down the town are doing a lot of harm to the vitality of Beeston. Continual, often untrue comments on the severity and length of the disruption hardly encourage outside visitors.
Thanks for answering the questions in some detail. I’ll give you my view on the Square and car park/fire station area:
1. Its disappointing that Henry Boot are looking at altering the existing buildings. They are pretty dire and need a radical overhaul and reconfiguration at least. I know we are in difficult financial times but its a time for vision for the future. Banks are awash with money for good financial proposals and so there is no reason for delaying the redevelopment of the whole site.
2. We should therefore be looking at the site as a whole. This means bringing in a major retailer as the anchor for the development. Some people may suggest Wilkinson. Their return is important but we need to think more widely to a retailer that will drive Beeston High Street as a whole. I am therefore going to suggest Waitrose. Some people may say “Oh, not another supermarket!”. However:
a) They occupy a different market segment to Sainsbury, Tesco and Lidl so widening the choice for South Broxtowe shoppers.
b) Most importantly for the Square and Beeston High Road we will get the benefit of the widely reported “Waitrose effect” bringing in other retailers on their coat tails.
c) The small Waitrose store in the centre of Nottingham gives the impression of success appearing busy with a good footfall. I would expect Waitrose to be looking for a site for a much larger site in the Nottingham area. The Square is ideal as, in my experience, Waitrose tend to operate in the edge of town centres rather than out-of-town.
d) Waitrose are expanding although they are constrained by lack of available sites.
e) Don’t procastinate on this. Gedling or Rushcliffe will snap them up given the chance.
3. The current proposed four platform bus/tram station may be wrong for my vision but I am sure a competent planner can accommodate a supermarket, its car park and the bus/tram station.
4. The remaining area needs rejigging to bring back Wilkinson, retain the Yorkshire Bank, Argos and the other retailers currently there and importantly allow space for new retailers brought in by the Waitrose effect.
OK Steve, my final comment on this tram.
As you know I’m not a supporter….But, I hope for Beeston and its residents and businesses sake that it does work and if that’s the case I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and say I was wrong.
Barry
Let’s hope so Barry and please let’s all work together to that end.
We owe it to the traders not to continually run the town down and falsely say that “It’s not worth coming here”.
Your points are noted Steve (re Waitrose and others) and I can assure that negotiations along very similar lines are under way. The current economic situation is the difficulty.
I do encourage you and the rest of the Council to go for “Gold” on this. There is only one supermarket that will materially improve the whole of Beeston town centre.
I think the current economic situation is a red herring. There is money out there for good projects. However I can’t analyse this further as I don’t know who exactly is trying to deliver what part of the project.