I have been approached by the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald regarding Devizes Town Centre. The questions they asked are in italics, with the answers I sent them highlighted in black. If you have any comments on their questions or my reply to them, please e-mail me as I am always interested to hear from you.
Why has Kennet not done more to make the most of the canal area in Devizes?
What investment exactly has been made in this area? Can you please be specific about figures, times and work that has been done?
The Council makes an annual contribution of £60k per annum to maintain the Kennet and Avon Canal as a cruising waterway. Those with longer memories will recall that the Wharf area of Devizes was a run down, unattractive area including an old Council depot.
The Council, in partnership with Gaiger Brothers, invested heavily to make the attractive area we have today. It also carried out a Youth Opportunity Programme to fund the renovation of what is now the Wharf Theatre. The wharf area, including the gas holder site, is in multiple ownership and it is difficult for the District Council to reach agreement for a comprehensive redevelopment scheme.
Various attempts to date have been made to reach agreement; for example the Council has commissioned a planning development brief for the Wharf area and is currently awaiting proposals from one of the landowners in that area. A proposal for the redevelopment of the Wharf was in place in 2001, that scheme was abandoned because Wiltshire County Council was attempting to provide the Country Records Office, including the National Photographic Society Archive, on the site. The development was to be funded largely by heritage lottery fund which subsequently withdrew its support. This delayed any development by three years.
Currently the wharf has great character, is an asset to Devizes and any alterations will require careful consideration.
What can you do to help this area thrive? Other towns have invested money and they now have a place tourists go to with craft shops and cafes. Do you personally think this would be good for Devizes?
With regards to your comments, we totally support them and if you could ensure the co-operation of the other landowners of the area we would be delighted. In addition any support from the Gazette and Herald in achieving this would be most welcome.
Why has Kennet allowed the Assize Courts building to rot? Many people in the town think Kennet has not done enough to make sure this important building at the gateway to the town has been redeveloped. What do you say to them?
This building does not belong to Kennet District Council. It was at one time in the ownership of Wiltshire County Council who sold it to the private sector many years ago.
KDC has used its planning powers to mitigate deterioration of the building and has encouraged the various owners, through granting a variety of permissions for change of use, to redevelop whilst retaining the important features of the building. The Council is currently investing resources in a feasibility study with the ultimate aim of bringing the building back into use.
If this cannot be achieved through persuasion then the Council may be forced to resort to other means.
The North Gate scheme has been allowed to flounder. Many people in Devizes feel let down that only old people's homes are now being built. How do you answer this criticism?
The Northgate site has been marketed to the private sector on two occasions without success. The Council therefore decided to develop the site itself.
The first development to take place will be retirement homes.
Agreement has been reached to develop a further part of the site for a restaurant, offices and housing.
A third area will be developed in the near future as flats for key workers, the fourth area will be reaching the market in the next few months and will lead to the redevelopment of the One Stop Shop for mixed housing and retail development.
In addition, a new Council managed 35-space car park will be provided in the middle of the site. At this point the Council will have achieved its objectives in terms of town centre regeneration, additional car parking as requested, and the replacement of an unattractive building with something which will enhance the Market Place.
Finally, you will be pleased to know that this will all be achieved at no cost to Kennet District Council tax payers.
Do you think it is the role of the council to push these schemes forward or do you think it should be down to private enterprise?
I feel that this should be a joint exercise between Kennet District Council and private enterprise. We have given the private sector every opportunity to develop these sites in Devizes but they have been too risk averse to carry out the kind of development that the people of Devizes would expect.
The editor plans to publish the questions and answers side by side in next week's paper. If this is the case I expect the answers to be reported in FULL.
