Trees saved

Thanks to a decision by the Development Control committee this morning (to reject the YMCA extension) two mature pear trees at the back of gardens around 43 Whiting Street will now not be felled.

It is rather alarming to think that I had to call in this application from being delegated to an officer, and yet I think the vote in committee was unanimous!

Is SID on his way?

I have just been telephoned by Suffolk County Council to say that an assessor is to visit Southgate Street to determine whether there is a safe and appropriate place to leave SID (Speed Indication Device?) following my recent request. For the record, the job number is 753433!

Let's hope this space is worth watching.

Abbeygate Street new barriers

http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/live/documents/reports/Y185%20Abbeygate%20Street%20Barriers.pdf

I am delighted to report that the new style gates at the top of the street will be replacing the worn out temporary "road closed" sign. These will be more suited to the Bond Street of Suffolk than the Old Kent Road trappings of cones and temporary signs.

Full report and pictures in the link above.

B***er the begonias!

One of my electors (not the first) has been asking me about safety improvements for children crossing Westgate Street at the Bridewell Lane end. Those from the Southgate Street/Saxon Gate area walk up Maynewater Lane and have difficulty in crossing to reach the Guildhall Feoffment school. Their only safe alternative is to walk all the way to the Catholic church end and use the crossing there - and walk all the way back.

As David has said in my previous post, such improvements are always difficult to obtain, and in this case funding for a refuge has not been forthcoming from SCC this year.

That's not much use to my elector or other mums/dads, and after a few polite exchanges an email finished:

'We need to protect our children and provide a safe environment for them to get to school and back. I am not willing to see a middle class and mature population shape the future of Bury St Edmunds, to be honest Paul I do wish to say "bugger the begonias and look after the children of Bury".'

This was a reference to an earlier post of mine about floral improvements to the junction of Maynewater Lane and Southgate Street, which look even better now:

This gentle (and I think justifiable) chastisement led me to discuss the subject again with the officer concerned, and I hope there may be a way forward - albeit a long way.

Anyway, my elector (who is extremely pleasant) got my attention and action. It was a better ploy than calling me boastful (see BFP letters).

Queens Head - the result

At this morning's hearing the application was amended substantially by the applicant - who was represented by my fellow councillor and serial blog commenter David Nettleton (right).

Instead of extending the closing time by 1hr 20mins the applicant requested an extension of just 30minutes on Sundays, Thursdays and weekends.

Despite this climb-down the application was still rejected by the sub-committee, who seemed to recognise my simple argument that:

1. There is inevitably outside noise and disturbance created when any pub closes

2. This is predominantly a residential area and the law upholds the rights of residents

3. Closure at 12.30 Fri/Sat would mean residents (woken at 5 by refuse collection) would have their opportunity of sleeping further reduced.

4. This constitutes a public nuisance under the 2003 Act

5. Therefore the sub-committee had no option but to reject the application.

The Week Ahead

On Thursday 30th the Queens Head application for a variation in their premises licence will be determined by a licensing sub-committee at 10am in the chamber of the borough offices at Angel Hill. Members of the public may attend.

The application seeks to extend the hours of opening from 23.00 to 00.20 on Sundays, from 00.00 to 00.20 Mondays to Wednesdays, and from 00.00 to 01.20 Thursday to Saturdays.

In my capacity as local ward councillor I shall be representing 11 interested parties (neighbouring residents) at the hearing, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 Guidance. This allows local councillors, if they wish and are instructed, to represent residents. However, I do not believe it has been used in St Edmundsbury before, so it may be a first for us all.

On Saturday 1st September I shall be at my regular surgery in Bury library from 10am - noon. Why not drop in?

Good News on Shop Front!

I have just come back from a meeting of Town Centre Management, the independent group which promotes Bury St Edmunds. You can read more on their website. I was delighted to hear the latest monitoring report of empty shops, which are often cited as a problem by those whose glasses are half empty rather than half full. In fact the opposite is true, and here are the details to prove it.


On the 17th August 2007 there were 412 shop premises in Bury, of which 14 were empty – equating to less than 4% vacant shops. The national average is much higher, currently standing at 13%, with a number of major towns having up to 25% vacant shops. The commercial agents in Bury all said that virtually as soon as a shop becomes available then it is taken: properties do not stay on the market very long. Within Abbeygate Ward the details are as follows.

There are 51 shops in Abbeygate Street, 2 of which are empty. The shop that used to be Star Chamber (31 Abbeygate Street) has now been let and will be opening shortly. The shop that used to be FotoDen (12 Abbeygate Street) and the shop that is boarded up (46-46a Abbeygate Street) are vacant. The agent for both is Merrifields.

There are 21 shops in Churchgate Street, 1 of which is empty (formerly Vinch Finch).

There are 14 shops in Langton Place, none empty

There are 28 shops in Hatter Street, 2 of which are empty. The shop that was Bury Book Shop (28a Hatter Street) is vacant, and the agent is George Hazell. The shop that was La Femme (22a Hatter Street) is vacant and the agent is Matthew Fullerton.

There are 14 shops in Guildhall Street, with none empty

There are 14 shops in Whiting Street, with none empty

There are 57 shops in the Buttermarket, with none empty. The shop that used to be MusicZone has now been let.

There are 31 shops in Cornhill, 2 of which are empty. The building that was the Woolwich Building Society (Market Cross) is vacant, and the agent is Donaldsons. The shop which was Moben Bathrooms (61 Cornhill) is vacant, and the agent is Marshall Buck.

There are 10 shops in Central Walk, Woolhall Street, and Kings Road, 2 of which are empty. 1-2 Woolhall Street is possibly under offer depending on planning permission, the agent being George Hazell. The other empty shop was Jennifers Florists in Central Walk, and there is no agents sign.

There are 26 shops in Angel Lane, Angel Hill, Looms Lane, 1 of which is empty. This used to the Richard Green estate agents (24B Angel Hill). The agent is Merrifields.