THE FACES OF SHERBORNE
In our monthly series of “The Faces of Sherborne” we introduce you to the people behind the faces. This month (February 2013) meet
PETER NEAL, Chairman of Sherborne & District Society
It is often taken for granted that a beautiful heritage town like Sherborne will be developed in a sympathetic, homogenous manner, retaining the character and tranquil surroundings that have enveloped it for centuries. Sherborne’s residents put their trust in the local planners and officials to ensure that common sense prevails when developing this historic town to meet the needs of 21st century life. Such a vision, however, is not always upheld when ensnarled by the intricacies of wider planning bureaucracies and it is sometimes only the vigilance and interest of concerned local residents that can safeguard the vibrancy and diversity of such a beautiful place with its associated economic importance.
The Sherborne & District Society is a group that is concerned with local developments, striving to ensure that they enhance the quality of life for residents in a congenial, cultured and caring community. The Society is also a branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) which exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of ruralEnglandby encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. Peter Neal is the Chairman.
Read the interview with Peter Neal below:
Q: When was the society set up and for what reason?
PN: The society was formed about forty years ago, originally as a group to save Swan Yard from inappropriate development! Since then it has developed into a group that promotes taking responsibility for our own urban and rural environment, one that informs and alerts the public concerning relevant matters. We have occasionally been labelled as the ‘anti-‘ brigade because we believe anything that affects the nature of the town and villages should be scrutinised but in fact we support a lot of local initiatives, anything that enhances the community.
Q: How often does the society meet and what activities do you carry out?
PN: We have a paid membership of about 200 individuals and we meet two or three times a year, depending on the nature of the subjects being discussed. Usually, we concern ourselves with the encouragement and recognition of projects that enhance the community. For example, we have made awards for conservation type projects such as that for the conservation carried out on a colonial house inNorth Road. Recently we have also recognised individuals such as those people involved in the anti-litter campaign and in 2012 we made an award to Don Mildenhall for all of his public work over the years.
Our next meeting is our AGM on 4th March at the Senior Lunch Club and non-members are most welcome. We also have a summer outing and an autumn meeting with a guest speaker.
Q: Was your society involved with the Barton Farm application?
PN: There is no special status for small historic heritage towns like Sherborne and we feel there is a need to develop such a status. Thanks to careful scrutiny of this particular proposal the extent of the proposed Barton Farm development has been limited to Sherborne’s Local Plan . The planners have listened to the huge concerns of the public and looked at alternatives so that – subject to a planning meeting later this month [Digby Hall on 28 February from 1.00 – 7.00 pm] – the site will be limited to 286 houses, some employment sites, a care home and a small shop. Of much greater concern to us now is the proposed development of a superstore on the outskirts of the town.
Q: Why have you become involved in the No Thanks to Tesco campaign?
PN: We believe that this is one of the biggest threats Sherborne has ever faced. It is well documented that the arrival of superstores damages the town centre and local businesses. Even in difficult trading times, Sherborne has managed to hold on to the majority of its shops – there are none boarded up inCheap Streetat the moment. But the vibrancy of our town centre will be damaged irretrievably by the arrival of such a huge store and Sherborne’s appeal to visitors will decline. Over a third of our business relies on visitors and the removal of the only hotel capable of dealing with groups plus the degradation of the town centre will have a disastrous effect on the town.
Q: Do you foresee any other problems?
PN: Without doubt, this gateway to Sherborne will become a serious traffic pinch-point. It is bad enough already but the anticipated additional traffic will undoubtedly create big traffic problems, especially once the added traffic from the Barton Farm development comes into being.
Q: What can people do about it?
PN: First, it is important to be as well informed as possible about this. Tesco is bound to put its own spin on this and so it is important to consider some of the counter points as well. Just for example, Tesco claims this will create 200 jobs. However, they do not count the 35 jobs lost from the hotel, they do not explain that most of this are part-time jobs, they do not take into account jobs that will inevitably be lost from decreased business in the town and they do not consider that Sherborne has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with many workers in Sherborne already travelling in from towns 10 – 30 miles away.
All of these issues can be seen in detail on www.nothankstesco.co.uk and there is also a petition you can sign, either online or in person at Vineyards inDigby Road.
Most importantly, you can go to the Tesco public consultation meetings and ask them for information yourself. These are being held at the West End Hall on Friday 15 February from 3 – 7 pm and on Saturday 16 February from 10am – 3pm. Another meeting is planned to be held in Digby Hall on Tuesday 26 February from 2.30 – 7.30pm. These provide an ideal opportunity to ask all the questions you want to – but be prepared with information from both sides of the argument.
Q: What do you say to those people who think this is inevitable progress?
PN: If you listened to Sir Terry Leahy, the ex-boss of Tesco, on Desert Island Discs recently, you will have heard him admit that huge Tesco developments do damage the High Street (and he was ‘saddened’ by this) but he felt this was simply the result of people’s choices, that is, it is driven by the market. Unfortunately, people often feel overpowered by such giants and feel it is not possible to combat their financial strength and planning power – well, it has been done before (see http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=4077 about Ledbury inShropshire. Also, people find it hard to look ahead five years. If they could see boarded up shops resulting from this, they might pause to reconsider.
Q: What do you have to say to those who think this is a ‘middle-class’ concern?
PN: This is not about Tesco specifically – it is about any superstore. It concerns a huge development at the main gateway to Sherborne, on land that is not designated for retail development, on land that is needed for our town’s visitors; it is a development that will undeniably damage the town centre, its character, its appeal and its businesses. It is not needed and it provides no benefits to the town. The government is encouraging more localism and the locals should be heard when such threats to a beautiful heritage town are proposed.