I'm writing this blog all about the shenanigans going on with regards to Whitestrand and Shadycombe Car Park. Why?? Because, every single person who reads this blog and then talks to me about it when they visit say they love to keep in touch with whats going on in Salcombe - that's usually quickly followed up by saying how much they like to know all the gossip from the pub!
Anyway - first of all we have SHDC telling us that they would really like to re-develop Whitestrand Car Park seating area - you know the same car park that they will never let us close for more than a day or two as it raises so much revenue for them...........
They would like to take away 1 space, 1 disabled space and motorbike space and build a platform over the slipway! On top of that they'd like to put safety rails around the slipway and then put glass and stainless steel balustrades to make it look smart! Wooden decking out over the slipway too.But apparently the goals of the application are to and I quote:
reduce congestion, make the well used benches more ideal, give more space to the public realm (choke) and increase the prominence of the War Memorial! Oh and boats will still be permitted to launch from the slipway'!!!
How delightful!! (excuse the sarcasm that will undoubtedly sneak in as I write this!)
Mmmmnnnn wonder who will get the job of keeping that clean??
Oh no! It certainly won't be Chad our lovely, warm, hardworking Chad who has cleaned the streets of Salcombe for about the last 16 years! In an act of pure spite he was moved Friday afternoon to another location with effect from this week. Why?? Well of course it was absolutely all about strategic planning.................. was it hell!
It was because we the general public of Salcombe had got wind that they planned to remove him and replace with a machine.
You know one of those things that doesn't get into corners or clean up after the seagulls! In fact word has it that there will be NO street cleaner after September until the following 'season'?? Does that spell a machine one wonders?? Just what the hell does it mean??
A campaign is under way and a petition has been started for people to sign to get Chad back and keep him - please sign if you can: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/keep-salcombes-roadsweepers.html#.V4PmhOPRvjV.facebook
Anyway, back to the Whitestrand development. Over 150 people attended the public meeting and what a great cross section it was! Locals, 2nd home owners, business people and 2 representatives from SHDC. 1 in an official capacity and 1 in a suit who skulked on the sidelines and pretty much refused to answer anything!! They also received 51 letters of objection (thank you whoever you were). NOT ONE person agreed with the scheme!
In all my years working for a local Council and handling meetings in neighbourhoods, I have NEVER witnessed such patronizing condescension from the officers involved - they clearly have stopped all training for officers with interaction with the public! Damn it, there's that sarcasm again!
Outcome of the meeting was that the scheme is still under consideration but without the A1, A3, A5 permissions allowing use of shops, take aways etc. According to Councillor Judy Pearce 'The town would soon realise it's a bonus'! Wow - really.................
For those of you who might like to be around, there is a site visit to Whitestrand planned for Monday July 25th (no idea when).
Then the very next day, the bombshell was dropped that someone at SHDC thought it was an awfully good idea to get rid of Shadycombe Car Park (you know, the one nearest to the Church) and build 20
I can only say that I urge any and all of you to look at the plans they have for Salcombe, get your pencils sharpened or your computer on and let the Gods that are SHDC know what YOU think of their grand ideas - before the Salcombe you know and love is reduced to nothing.
You can see the plans at: tinyurl.com/JLPplaces
and email any response to: strategic.planning@swdevon.gov.uk
Thank you for reading this rant, normal service will (probably) be resumed next blog post,
Yours with love (and steam coming out of my ears)
Liz x
1 comment:
This was my lovely dad's favourite place to visit - I still have the red tourist book on the shelf next to me - I was too young for the pub, but I remember how it was. Dad used to tell me the history and point out things. Without adequate car parking, and there can never be too much car parking, visitor numbers decrease. Is that the aim of the council? That council tax from houses will be greater? I think you need a referendum.
Why am I so interested? 1) I will visit again one day. 2) I just spent 5 years looking after my mum who couldn't walk any distance. We could only visit places where there was a car park in a good location, preferably where we could see the sea, where I could pop out and get a drink and some chips/crisps/butties and we could eat in the car before turning for home. There are now very few places in this country where this can be done. But people are at the heart of tourism. Ah, but, you know that. The Council does not, apparently. 3) Because dad and I enjoyed the simple pleasure of being there.
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