Members of HWAG joined with local residents at the end of last year to discuss proposals for the Hawley Wharf Development which are now expected to come before the Council in the latter part of 2010.
At a public meeting in December, local residents showed that they do not oppose the
development as such. But they have major concerns about how it is done: the site layout, the mix of use, employment opportunities, transport issues and, importantly, the way the development could make the area we live in more attractive and useful rather than a large commercial tourist attraction.
The meeting resulted in a set of draft Principles, circulated to participants at the last meeting. These and other matters have been discussed with the developers. We are planning a second public meeting at which we will report on these discussions, and consider next steps.
It will again be in Holy Trinity Church at the corner of Hartland Road and
Clarence Way, at 7.30pm on Monday, July 12. We hope you can come.
The central issues for discussion continue to be:
■ Employment opportunities for local people, preferably at a low rent
■ Shops, markets etc. should be of use to the local population as well as visitors.
No additional market space unless it is of community benefit
■ No additional strain should be put on public transport services
■ The size and bulk of the development no higher than the viaduct
■ The development should not have an adverse effect on local life by increasing the
current high levels of anti-social behaviour, pollution, litter etc.
■ The canal should not become part of the development, should be protected from the development, and there should be limited access to the site (as on the other side of the bridge).
