Town redevelopment will become white elephant
RE: Redevelopment of Bourne Town Centre.
I am most concerned at the way South Kesteven District Council are pursuing the proposed redevelopment of Bourne Town Centre and I consider that the whole project will eventually become a white elephant if it goes ahead.
The supplementary planning guidance for this project was published in February 2004 and despite the intervening five years, South Kesteven District Council still has not yet found a developer. The only information given to the taxpayer comes from council officers, portfolio holders and the leader of the council. It used to be the case that our elected representatives could communicate with the media, but this now seems to be no longer the case. Why have they been muzzled and who has muzzled them? What are their opinions on the project? Are we being served by them or are they toeing the party line?
The council's determination to proceed with this costly project now seems to be a case of saving face and flies in the face of the Audit Commission's recent criticism that the prospects for the project were uncertain and that the council had failed to undertake proper consultation with the public. Why no consultation and why is a project group being set up to develop the business case for the development?
Surely a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Continuing on their aimless way, the council has expressed the idea that after the completion of the redevelopment there is the possibility that car parking will be subject to fees. The ever increasing demand by councillors for car parking fees in Bourne is a knee-jerk reaction.
They have failed to understand that Bourne, unlike Grantham and Stamford does not have the facilities of a railway station, direct access to the A1 and an arts centre providing weekly entertainment.
Until Bourne is provided with these facilities there is little hope of the proposed redevelopment being successful and the taxpayer will be faced with yet another burden on their pocket.
Perhaps, after all, that is not a smile on the leader's face but a grimace at the prospect of a loss of face by South Kesteven District Council. Perhaps the project should be shelved whilst a democratic public consultation is carried out to find out if their bright idea is welcome.
Tim Bladon
Wendover Close
Rippingale
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Weather for Bourne
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
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