Date: 31st OCTOBER 2006
The Suffolk Preservation Society (SPS) has written to St Edmundsbury Borough
Council with a detailed report into how plans for the Risbygate Street area can be
improved to the benefit of both residents and visitors to the town.
According to Richard Ward, Director "the Society wants to engage positively with the council and begins from the
viewpoint that this is a reasonable 'first' attempt, but that there are a number of key areas in which the application
must be improved in order to benefit and not harm the town's vitality. It is something of a curate's egg - good in parts,
but as such isn't really a very appetising solution for local people".
In particular, SPS has detailed a number of key concerns:
Impact of increasing traffic on Parkway.
Negative impact on the existing town centre (and Cattle Market development).
Marginalisation of the undeveloped area on the south side of Bishops Road.
Ghettoisation of the planned low-cost homes by their being located together and not spread across
the rest of the housing development.
"We have suggested a number of small and large scale detailed changes to the
current application to improve it for the town and community in case planning permission is eventually granted.
However the Council as land owner of the site has an even greater opportunity to shape and influence the redevelopment
proposal”.
Richard Ward continued "we hope that St Edmundsbury will work with us and
others to address these concerns and in doing so lead to a development of the very highest standard and an
example to other councils.This should be about getting the very best for Bury. It is an exciting opportunity
which has to be got right." ENDS
Contact: Richard Ward on (01787) 247179