Take a look at this report in the Guardian of 21.03.2012 in which Deloitte suggests that the growth of internet shopping will mean that retailers will reduce their property portfolios 30% - 40% over the next five years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/mar/20/high-street-shops-close-deloitte
The report suggests that "The high street will become full of coffee shops, building societies, kiosks and hubs to pick up stuff". Now this could mean that actually the new high street will look rather like Pontyclun now! RCT take note!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
March 2012 updating email
Colleagues the following email has been sent out to all on the emailing list and the attachements can be seen as the three new posts that follow this one.
Dear Colleagues
Sorry not to have been in touch for a while but I’ve been in NZ visiting my daughter and her family for the last 7 weeks.
Since we all had to be busy submitting our objections and comments to the outline planning proposal for the new development in December things have gone a little quiet as councillors are reluctant to speak as they are concerned not to prejudice their position before the planning meeting. However it looks as though the meeting to consider the application will not now take place until after the County Council elections on 3 May. In the meantime it will be very useful if you of you who responded individually and then subsequently received a letter from RCT could respond saying that you are interested in speaking at the council meeting when the application is considered. We will hope to organise press briefings and other lobbying activities as soon as a date becomes available.
In the meantime the working group has had a number of meetings to consider further action and the minutes of the meetings are attached.
I’ll now post these minutes on the website as well so you can tell your friends where to look: http://pantvalley-newdevelopment.blogspot.co.uk/
If you wish to know more or be more involved please come back via email or ‘ring me on 01443 227996 or Margaret on 01443 229301.
All the very best
Len Arthur
March 2012 working group minutes
Meeting of the Pontyclun Residents’ Town Centre Working group
14th March2012
Present: Ann, Claire, Paul, Marg,
Update
Leekes
Emma Leekes is meeting the developer
Leekes have applied for planning permission to move the Garden Centre. Marg to write and ask if it is relevant to the new town centre development
Ownership of Land
It has been confirmed that the land is part owned by Scarborough Developers and part owned by the Welsh Government following merger of Welsh Development Agency into Welsh Government
Planning Process
Marg to write to Simon Gale who has since responded and said that there is no date yet for the planning application to be presented to the Planning Committee as some issues are still being discussed
Contact with Mark Jackson
We are still waiting to hear from Mark Jackson regarding a meeting
Preparation for the Planning Committee
A number of members of the group have asked to speak at the planning committee.
It was agreed that we should produce a matrix setting out the issues we have written to the Council about and then to cross reference them with statements that support our arguments contained within documents that we have looked at.
Next Meeting
Agree to hold the next meeting at the start of May
February 2012 working group meeting
Meeting of the Pontyclun Residents’ Town Centre Working group15th February 2012
Present: Ann, Claire, Paul, Marg, Jay Kynch from Open spaces
Action Points
Meeting with Kay Kinch open Spaces
Jay is a volunteer with Open Spaces and explained the role of the organisation in helping groups register publicly used land as open space. Open Spaces is informed of all amendments to Rights of Way, Greens and Commons
The group decided that the process would be of interest in the future but that at the moment we should focus on attempting to influence the planning application and not get involved yet in trying to register open space.
Lobbying Councillors
It was agreed that we should send hard copies and personalised letters to all councillors in May
Consultation of planning application
Claire had received reply outlining the consultation process and that RCT had done more than is necessary
Planning Process
Marg to write to Jim Bailey and to request a meeting to discuss the planning application
Land ownership
Marg to contact Liz re ownership of land on which she grazes her horses
Contact with Mark Jackson
Marg to write to Mark Jackson and ask to meet .
Contact with Emma Leeke
Marg to write to ask if she has information on the planning application
Contamination of Land
Marie is following up the issue of land contamination
Next Meeting
January 2012 working group minutes
Meeting of the Pontyclun Residents’ Town Centre Working group: 25th January 2012
Present: Len, Ann, Claire, Paul, Marg, Marie
Action Points Meeting with RCT councillors
Len suggested that we should ask our local councillors if they would be prepared to meet with the group to listen to our reasons for objecting to the plan as it stands.
Len and Paul will meet with Cllr Clayton Willis to request a meeting
Consultation of planning application
Claire to write to Jim Bailey to check whether all appropriate residents were consulted on the planning application
Objection letter
Marg to send it to all councillors
Marg to write to Jim Bailey and to request a meeting to discuss issues such as contamination
Open Space
This refers to the 2006 Commons Act. Suggested we try to register Pant Marsh
Len to get hold of the necessary forms for registering common land
Ann to set up meeting with Jay who lives in Efail Isaf and is a member of Open Spaces
Development Land
Marg to try to get in touch with Liz Sorenson and to identify the land she uses for grazing horse
Potential contamination of Land
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