The following news has appeared on the web, which demands a concerted response from advocates of Sustainability and Community. “Property developer Stanhope and investment company LaSalle Investment Management have teamed up to buy a three-acre regeneration site on Pydar Street in Truro from Resolution Property. It is understood the site, next to another similar sized development site owned by Truro City Council, has cost them more than £6m. Stanhope and LaSalle Investment Management are now expected to work with the council to develop a 300,000 sq ft retail scheme across both sites. The scheme’s end value is expected to be more than £70m. Truro is Cornwall’s largest town and gets thousands of tourists during the summer months. It is this that the scheme would look to capitalise on. A town centre shopping scheme would also serve around 400,000 people in its catchment area. The development is expected to be an open scheme with streets and public places, modelled on Princesshay in Exeter among other projects. Vacant possession of the Pydar Street site can be secured in the next two years. If everything goes to plan the centre could open its doors to the public by 2015.” In view of the fact that not a few of the cities’ retail businesses are already struggling, at least one extra supermarket looks set to go ahead, and more are likely to follow; a retail development on the scale of this proposal seems highly unsuitable. There have to be better ideas. Personally, I feel strongly that if there is a large parcel of central land available, the return of a central swimming pool should take precedence; this would be something of relevance to the whole community as well as visitors, with massive benefits for all age groups in terms of health, sport, recreation, and life-preserving skill development, (as well as job and wealth creation). It is generally accepted that the existing community pool does need to be replaced , it is on the one hand oversubscribed, and on the other hand overlooked and underused because it is too out of the way, and too uninspiring in its design. It would be foolish for it to be sited even further out on the outskirts , yet opportunities for siting it centrally are limited; this possible opportunity should not be squandered . What would others like to see the land used for?
Presumably Transition will be represented at the shortly forthcoming TTAAP community workshop focussing on green infrastructure?
(See Cornwall Council website for opportunity to register).
An exchange of ideas on the forum beforehand might be useful.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
?sustainable development, have your say
The following news has appeared on the web, which demands a concerted response from advocates of Sustainability and Community. “Property developer Stanhope and investment company LaSalle Investment Management have teamed up to buy a three-acre regeneration site on Pydar Street in Truro from Resolution Property. It is understood the site, next to another similar sized development site owned by Truro City Council, has cost them more than £6m. Stanhope and LaSalle Investment Management are now expected to work with the council to develop a 300,000 sq ft retail scheme across both sites. The scheme’s end value is expected to be more than £70m. Truro is Cornwall’s largest town and gets thousands of tourists during the summer months. It is this that the scheme would look to capitalise on. A town centre shopping scheme would also serve around 400,000 people in its catchment area. The development is expected to be an open scheme with streets and public places, modelled on Princesshay in Exeter among other projects. Vacant possession of the Pydar Street site can be secured in the next two years. If everything goes to plan the centre could open its doors to the public by 2015.” In view of the fact that not a few of the cities’ retail businesses are already struggling, at least one extra supermarket looks set to go ahead, and more are likely to follow; a retail development on the scale of this proposal seems highly unsuitable. There have to be better ideas. Personally, I feel strongly that if there is a large parcel of central land available, the return of a central swimming pool should take precedence; this would be something of relevance to the whole community as well as visitors, with massive benefits for all age groups in terms of health, sport, recreation, and life-preserving skill development, (as well as job and wealth creation). It is generally accepted that the existing community pool does need to be replaced , it is on the one hand oversubscribed, and on the other hand overlooked and underused because it is too out of the way, and too uninspiring in its design. It would be foolish for it to be sited even further out on the outskirts , yet opportunities for siting it centrally are limited; this possible opportunity should not be squandered . What would others like to see the land used for?
forthcoming TTAAP community workshop
Presumably Transition will be represented at the shortly forthcoming TTAAP community workshop focussing on green infrastructure?
(See Cornwall Council website for opportunity to register).
An exchange of ideas on the forum beforehand might be useful.