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 and the Chairman of the Townscape and Planning Group recently met Councillor Peter Fleming, the Leader of the Council, in order to discuss the options. Councillor Fleming said that SDC had made a number of direct and indirect approaches to the site’s owners without success. He undertook to carry out a further economic appraisal and inform us of SDC’s conclusions.
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.