Following the Appeal decision on 31st October 2011, the Councils Agent wrote to them.
Apparently "The Town Councils case was disadvantaged by the lack of support from the healthcare providers." What a surprise. There was no support from them for the original application, which was refused in January 2011. There was no support for it when Dr Hollington & Christina Ward (Executive Director, Ivel Medical Centre) attended the Council meeting of 22nd February 2011. Despite this, the Council pushed on and appealed in June 2011.
"The issue of biodiversity can be addressed by the necessary surveys and mitigation measures being put in place". One of the reasons that the original application failed was that these surveys had not been completed. The Council were looking to be made a special case, as the surveys were costed at circa £60,000, and they did not think that they should be wasting public money on this !!
"The Inspector can be criticised for accepting the contention of the Councils Planning Officer at the Hearing that the Council are actively involved in looking at another site in Biggleswade without any substantive evidence in support" What about all of the statements and contentions made by the Council and their Agents that they did not produce evidence for, he accepted them as well.
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On the Agenda of the Council Meeting of 24th January 2012 there was a recommendation that the Town Council write again to CBC to purchase the land East of Biggleswade.
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Consider this:
At the moment there is a planning application being considered by Central Bedfordshire Council for the redevelopment of the London Road Retail Park, Biggleswade. This includes the construction of two units (1 & 2) over the other side of London Road, off Pegasus Drive, which will be used for turnaround for the redevelopment.
I understand the Fire & Ambulance Service have both expressed a desire to move from their present sites at Chestnut Avenue, to an out of town centre location. The introduction of traffic lights in Crab Lane over the railway bridge has not helped their operations.
Central Bedfordshire Council own the Acorn Centre in Lawrence Road, Biggleswade, which adjoins the Ambulance Station / Fire Station sites.
The doctors two surgeries have expressed an interest in retaining the two practices with the possibility of some shared facilities / services.
Possible scenario:
1. Fire & Ambulance Service move to Units 1 & 2, Pegasus Drive
2. Acorn Centre used as a temporary home for Saffron Road Health Centre (Dr Kirkham & Partners).
3. Saffron Road Health Centre, refurbished / extended.
4. Saffron Road Health Centre, reoccupied by Dr Kirkham & Partners.
5. Acorn Centre occupied by Ivel Medical Centre from The Baulk, Biggleswade, with some facilities / services shared with Dr Kirkham & Partners.
This is the most sensible suggestion I have heard on the whole matter and think that it is brilliant. It's a real shame that Biggleswade town councillors or their expensive consultants could not think laterally like this and come up with options that work for everyone. It shows that there is a lack of imagination and business acumen in the town council.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there will be a lot of support from this, from the Healthcare professionals, the Emergency services and most importantly the users of the services. Having the proposed Health centre site near the library will also support increased use of the library sustaining its long term future.
Now I wonder what that £60,000 could have been better spent on!