Town Green is a must instead of unsightly Waitrose and looming gridlock!

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  Sadly town greens are not a simple as they sound and the legalities are complicated and expensive. Some of the points of law had not yet been passed and with the new government they may change again. I have had to look into it quite extensively, covering a story in Crewkerne where it was actually much more simple than your situation. The continual use for recreational purposes for the whole community is key and if you haven't had that you will not get Town Green status.

  By  marion_TLocal at 10:21 on 11/06/10

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  I think Wimborne FC has more chance of winning the world cup (sorry guys) than certain people have in getting the land now currently occupied by Waitrose designated as a Town Green and having the supermarket knocked down.. The land in question used to be the cricket pitch, but the land was certainly not open to a signficant proportion of the community for a wide variety of sports. Further the cricket club did not use the pitch "as of right" but rather as I understand it they had a lease from the then land owner permitting its usage in that way. Moreover, the land was not generally available to the community. There was a big fence going around it, and the gate was generally locked. Its previous usage did not smack of "town green". The above is my "common sense" view of the town green argument, I have no expertise in planning matters, but if I have missed something please let me know. Why is it said that the land fits the criteria for registration of a Town Green under the 2006 Act? Waitrose is here now. It is not going away. I cannot it see it being knocked down and re-sited elsewhere in Wimborne. In expressing this view I do not think I am a "shopaholic", rather I think I am being realisitic about things. Maybe if Waitrose is here to stay, then if we cannot embrace it, then rather we should at least tolerate it.

  By  FamBar at 10:38 on 29/05/10

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  OK - there are clearly all shades of OPINION regarding the Waitrose store, but some FACTS are immutable: 1. At least four opinion surveys showed that there was a clear majority of residents who were vehemently opposed to the development. 2. These people continue to express their anger at the arrogance of Waitrose and the collusion of our so-called representatives. 3. The Waitrose building appears to be significantly larger that the artists impressions that were displayed at the public consultation, and which continue to be displayed on the Waitrose website. 4. An active discussion of the issues on the Waitrose Forum has been closed down because Waitrose supporters were losing all the arguments and were clearly embarrased.. 5. The Town Green Application will clearly continue. DCC are probably not a fit and proper body to determine the outcome, and whatever the result it is likely to be contested by one side or the other. 6. The new bridge over the River Allen, which was deemed essential for the success of the store, and certainly necessary for the integration of the store into the Wimborne shopping centre, is now unlikely ever to be built. 7. The questions about pollution and environmental impact on the precious River Allen have NOT been resolved. Although sediments and floating oils are being removed, there is no protection whatsoever against spillages on site, dissolved pollutants in the water (eg salt during winter), and all surface drainage is simply discharged into the River Allen, a special wildlife habitat. 8. Despite reassurances by the Environment Agency and the builders, it remains a FACT that IBA (Incinerator bottom ash) power station waste was incorporated into much of the structural concrete. IBA contains many toxic pollutants inlcluding heavy metals and dioxins. The use of IBA remains of deep concern to Friends of the Earth. 9. Waitrose commenced construction at the site AFTER they had been notified by DCC of the Town Green Application, and have accelerated construction probably in order to prejudice the Application. There is therefore deep disquiet about the store, despite the plaudits an a minority of shopaholics, and the problem is unlikely to go away, until the offending development is removed from this much loved vista.

  By  baxi22 at 10:22 on 28/05/10

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  There is Heaven and a Hell, Right and Wrong, Good and Evil, but there is a special place in Hell for those who seek to destroy our green places and replace them with huge and unwanted supermarket developments!
  
  I am advised by DEFRA that, "The fact that the land in question is subject to an application to register it as a Green does not, in itself, prevent it from being developed. However, in DEFRA's view, if the land is subsequently registered as a Green, a Court may rule that any unlawful development carried out prior to registration be removed." DEFRA envisages that such unlawful development could then be subject to an order for its removal and the reinstatement of the site.
  
  The vast majority of Wimborne residents (not the shopaholics in this site) are absolutely horrified about the rape of Hanham's Field, and this unwanted supermarket WILL be removed.
  
  I am sure that Charlie Mayfield et al are reading the hundreds of comments on the Save Wimborne Town Green site with growing trepidation. They are more used to being welcomed into a community with open arms, but in this case they are not welcome at all!

  By  baxi22 at 23:32 on 25/03/10

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  Okay, you know that I know, that the positioning of Waitrose will sadly and probably stay as is.
  I, and many others, are extremely disappointed with the decisions that have led it to being placed on the cricket pitch in the town centre. I'm up for change, it's a good thing, as is Waitrose in Wimborne, but I will struggle to understand why arguments were not listened to. It gives me no confidence whatsoever in the council and i'm sure that itchypalm and many others will agree with me. Town centres need green space and everybodys opinion needs to be heard. Minorities have ideas and opinions that majorities may not have thought of, these should be listened to and taken on-board, not ignored, which I feel has been the case here. I ask everyone, in future, to REALLY look at the implications of any new planning applications affecting our beautiful town, and make yourself heard!

  By  PinkEgret at 14:14 on 25/02/10

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