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BURY ST EDMUNDS SOCIETY
Chairman’s Annual Report - June 2009
On Thursday 5th March I joined the many people there to see and experience for the first time the town’s new shopping development. A ‘soft opening’ of a scheme that after very many years of planning, controversy, missed opportunities, and dare I say, disappointment and anxiety, had finally arrived to change our market town forever. A 100 million pound ‘mixed use’ scheme was a reality and walking into those new streets on that bright early, fortunately dry, spring morning was a surreal feeling. I do confess to have felt that ‘buzz of excitement’ that was clearly evident around one.
What do you think? We would like to hear from you. Please respond to our questionnaire on the back page.
Of course, we are only too aware of some controversial aspects of Hopkin’s design and perhaps concept, and a ‘developer led’ scheme from the start but let us perhaps wait for our full verdict once the development is finally completed.
This is a massive investment for our town and it is important that we now support and wish for a success which will benefit the whole town for the long term, despite the present economic difficulties.
It was indeed encouraging news to hear of the positive feedback coming from existing shops and traders to the initial effect of the development has had so far, and we hope that this will continue and be maintained. It is good that, despite the closure of Woolworths, new jobs were found at Debenhams and indeed, at the newly opened Asda, a store greatly welcomed and beneficial to the west side of the town.
Of course, we are not alone in having ‘closed and ‘to let’ signs and no one likes to see the boarded up and vacant shops in the town centre, especially where some of those traders have moved into the redevelopment, and this has made it doubly hard for us in Bury St Edmunds.
There are certainly areas of the town centre that look really sad, dirty and neglected.
In writing this report, I am very conscious of the dedication of your committee to attending our regular monthly meetings and the work involved covering many issues in what has been a very busy but interesting year. There has been much to monitor on wide ranging issues that effect the town now, and in the future, especially the results of the Boundary Committee Review in July and indeed decisions on where housing and predicted future growth will be by the end of the year. Development is considerably slowed down at present but it is good that progress is being made on the scheme to develop Tayfen Road, certainly an area desperate for improvement, but it is a pity that the area of Station Hill, also to be developed, needed a separate Masterplan which has yet to be presented.
Looking back over the year, I think it is good to recognise the Society’s achievement in making a very significant contribution, demonstrating the importance we place on improving the town’s green environment. Our decision to make the large donation from the Alison Rae Bequest of £20,000 initiating a scheme to provide extra planting on the old Cattle Market car parks was very carefully considered, and we are pleased with these efforts. Working with St Edmundsbury Borough Council, we have provided that much needed ‘greening’ on what would have been such a barren and bleak landscape. I am delighted to see the Hornbeam trees all in full leaf and you will see there are a few more spaces awaiting planting. How I wish there could have been more elsewhere as hoped for in our plan especially in St Andrews St South – looking such a dull and soulless street. There must be serious efforts to improve this area and the ugly backs of some of the existing shops, if there is to be any meaningful success to integrate the town centre with the new development.
Hopefully, with the old Woolworths building now possibly being converted into two units, opportunities can start to be taken.
Yes, we may have a lightly improved and modified passageway (wind tunnel) in Market Thoroughfare, but it is just not good enough in providing that “link” that indeed was promised. Our town deserves better and we shall continue to campaign.
I have recently had a look round to see the progress of work on the new public building designed to be the ‘heart’ of the new development. There are some impressive features and it is good that Haymills has now commenced the ‘fit out’. No doubt, this multi-purpose venue will be named any day now, and will bring Charter Square to life and provide an exciting amenity, especially for the young people. However, there are aspects of the Business Plan which raise concerns especially on the running costs, Box Office arrangements, and car parking spaces for the envisaged conference bookings to name but a few. It is an ambitious programme. What will become of the ‘redundant’ Corn Exchange?
Whilst, we may agree that the Venue will provide a focus for many functions, the Athenaeum remains the historic centre and heart of the town for civic functions.
How many towns across the country could boast in having a more perfect setting that we have on Angel Hill? It is our wish that the Civic Regalia and Mayoralty will return to this historic part of town.
No doubt, once the way forward for local government is made clearer in July, uses for buildings such as the old Borough offices can be addressed again since I understand the current owner and developer has expressed his desire for the possibilities in retaining the building in the public domain. With planning approval for office development on the front, this is a way forward and keeping the options open for the time being.
The town is looking to retain its wonderful floral reputation this year through the hard work and dedication of “Bury in Bloom” team and we wish them every success, especially since we will be entering the ‘Champion of Champions’ competition. Much good work is being achieved improving Parkway and the roundabouts which will certainly help to enhance the approach to this side of town.
It is also delightful to see the St Edmunds Roses, given to mark the completion of the Cathedral tower, now planted in the Cloister garden.
I think it is important to mention in this report, if you were not aware, that the Civic Trust in England formed in 1958 with aspirations followed by the many Civic Societies up and down the country, is now in the worrying and sad position of being in administration. I had been greatly encouraged with the appointment of Philip Kolvin QC as Chairman last year who was seeking to restructure and reinvigorate the organisation.
However, there is now good news with the launch of the Civic Societies Initiative, a temporary structure, set up over the next twelve months, to explore the way forward to help form and establish a new movement.
Under the leadership of Tony Burton, with experience working for the National Trust and as a past deputy chairman of CPRE, I am hopeful that the endeavours of the Civic societies will be strengthened.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking again, David Merritt, Jan Widmer and Beryl Ward, who have retired from the committee this year, for all their hard work and contributions to the work of the Society. It has been much appreciated.
Sarah Green
Chairman
The Bury St. Edmunds Society
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