September 2007 - The original Posting
Personally I suspect that Tescos will build the store because if they meet the planning regulations there is very little the local authorities and by inference we, can do to stop then. They own a brown field site that is in very poor condition and the government want these sites to be improved and built upon. So my plea is simple do not be so single mindedly against the store as to not think about the best we can get if Tescos get there way. Don’t be fooled by anything or anyone, the campaign they are running is about minimising the costs and delays and maximising the profit they make from the site and that may just mean doing nothing or promising something that never gets delivered!
I have no reason to be suspicious of Tesco but believe the promises when they are backed by something legal and binding. Just like buying a house nothing is guaranteed until a contract is signed.
The image on the left shows many of the areas of interest, a number of
which seem to have been quietly forgotten by one party of another. So let’s
start with the largest area, the red block shows the extent of the area on
both sides of Derwent Street.
The lower part of Derwent Street is obliterated
as I cannot see any reason why it has to stay. I would not be surprised if
Tescos apply have it moved or removed because to do so make the site much more
flexible and therefore more valuable. I would also make Derwent St into a
cul-de-sac only accessed from the town end. I will return to discuss my ideas
for this area later.
The blue area is the existing library and community hall owned I believe by Derbyshire. This is quite a large and valuable site (I guess it will sell for well over a million pounds) that will become available for redevelopment once the library, etc is moved!!! If sold off this area will no doubt become more apartments and flats, I love it as it is and think it would make a wonderful location for a redeveloped, reinvigorated community centre!
The green area is currently occupied by the Lion Garage and once the Bridge St is quieter will suffer a considerable reduction in trade especially with two competing supermarket forecourts. Cos bet your bottom dollar, Tescos will want to run any outlet on the new road. I would propose that the Lion Garage be given the new outlet in exchange for this site that would then be used to improve access to the railway station, a new bus station, the existing car parking, etc. This would be a considerable improvement to an area that needs a lift and would help link the town centre and Bridge Street together.
The orange area is the existing bus station which is under used and has been earmarked for redevelopment on a number of occasions. Next to the back of the bus station is a private car park which I believe belongs to the bus company. This combined space could be made into an exciting town centre development containing a considerable number of small apartments and studio flats for first time buyers. (I now have to admit the bus station seems to get more use than I thought, with buses parked over night, etc. so this would have to be subject to review.)
The purple area is the old Brettles building which has lost part of its ground to car parking for the businesses at the rear. This building would make a great place for a replacement for the Feet Arts Centre which is suffering from both its location and a lack of funding. However to work this does require funds to be available to support the centre and sufficient car parking to be retained to make the site useful.
The yellow line is the route I expect the new road to follow, it is shown slightly wider than Chapel Street and therefore as wide as most of the A6 in this area. Things to note about the alignment as drawn are:
- It is not drawn to be a fast bypass but as a replacement for the existing road, just removing the traffic from Bridge St and Chapel St. So the turning circles at the northern and southern ends are not show as big soft curves but rather tight difficult turns. Further I think some form of traffic calming will be required at the access to the Meadow Side site, traffic lights and not an island.
- The Methodist church hall at the south end is not affected! The hall does need money spending on it but it does not need to be demolished and replaced by something smaller and out of character.
- The Christ Church is not affected nor is the buildings currently occupied by Pims the solicitors. However, the gardens between even with the best will in the world will go. So Pims will be road side if the road is ever built.
- The new island at the north end does not require the removal of the tree. Yes commercial vehicles will have to take it slowly; good, part of the idea should be to encourage Lorries to find other routes. Deliveries are a necessity but through traffic should follow the main routes (A38). However, my preferred option would be to leave the existing traffic lights and flow the new road round the tree onto the bypass.
- The Belper Nailers pitch will have to be moved towards the river by something like thirty yards. So the far end of the pitch would now be about ten yards short of the far side of the practice area and the existing fence.
- The cricket pitch is unaffected but the pavilion will have to be moved I would suggest round the corner to the south on the edge of the high ground where the warehouse is currently situated.
- Even with the new road I would welcome a ban on all vehicles over a certain weight unless delivering; however, I suspect that the Lorries would just ignore the ban unless the police make a concerted effort. Commercial vehicles now seem to navigate by satellite and ignore all other inputs, including the suitability of the road for heavy and/or big vehicles.
- The north end of road route over the existing football pitch may need to be raised slightly less than eighteen inches would reduce the chances of flooding to virtually zero. N.B.This is the only area of the existing flood plane to be modified or lost.
So finally back to the main site
First the really radical bit opposite the end of Kings Street is Birchell Edwards estate agents, a large double fronted shop. I suggest a new pedestrian route be punched through this building and linked all the way to the meadow. Take a close look at the picture above; can you see it? Between this route and Derwent St I would place the Library (I do not object to it being on the market place but where?) to the left I would build a group of small shop/workshop units.
Over the new road, if we must have Tescos I would force them to build with the back of the store to the back of Focus and the front facing the pedestrian route thus keeping all the large commercial buildings in one area. The car parking would then be to the right of the walkway which would take you all the way onto the meadow.
Towards the end of the site by the Cricket pitch I would build the petrol station and a number of small commercial units including the replacement for (Corrected) Albert House home of the Vanessa Millar School of Dancing and HD Dance Supplies. Sorry it is just in the wrong place and would be a hole in the front of the new Tescos, with its car parking swamped, if it were left in place.
Finally on the smaller area to the right of the new road I would build new town houses. These would back onto the existing residential area.
Summary
- With the exception of the road no green ground or tree need be lost.
- The football pitch gets moved 30 yards towards the river
- The PIMs building is unaffected.
- Christ Church is unaffected but might get a small garden
- The Methodist Church Hall need not be modified or demolished.
- The cricket pitch does not need to be moved.
- Kings St can be linked to the new site by a pedestrian walkway.
If the battle is lost at least win the war and make the new developments the best possible for Belper.
PS Please fell free to quote me or link to this page but please do not use my words and images.