The Society continues to press SDC to use all means available to the Council including the threat of compulsory purchase to get the Farmers site into development. The President has written to the Leaders of the Conservative and Liberal-democrat parties on the District and Town Councils, and to the Chief Executive and Chief Planning officer of the District Council, with a detailed Proposal for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order. The aim is to achieve a better-designed building with a substantial affordable housing element.
The Farmers Pub Site, London Road
The Society is often approached by local residents or their Associations and other concerned bodies and persons regarding proposed developments affecting private residences. In responding, we use a number of criteria to determine whether it is appropriate to act. We may do so for example where we believe there is a public interest concern, or the proposal involves inappropriate or over-development, the alteration or demolition of an important building, or undesirable “garden-grabbing”. As with all schemes, we will also consider whether the proposed design is consistent with the character of the area, notable trees and open spaces may be affected, or there are significant traffic implications.The Society is monitoring several other applications and schemes including the Railway and Bicycle building by the station, completed in 2013. It is regrettable that the design and scale of this edifice was ever approved; it hardly graces this important approach to the town and some of the residential and commercial premises remain empty.
