Welcome to Radstock Action Group

[5th May 2012]: The Sainsbury's Project is Growing

On Wednesday 2 May, Sainsbury's presented its proposals for a new mega-store in Westfield to the Somer Valley Partnership and then, later the same day, to Radstock Action Group's regular weekly meeting, where they were joined by interested supporters, including some Radstock traders.

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Did either of these meetings tell us anything new? Having announced previously that the new store would be 45,000 square feet, or the same size as the Frome mega-store, we were told that, in fact, it will be 55,000 square feet - 25% bigger than the Frome store.

Amongst those present at the RAG meeting, Mark Brinkworth, RADCO's Radstock Store Manager, pointed out that for that floor area to be viable in business terms, Sainsbury's would most likely be counting on £650,000 weekly takings - takings which Mr Brinkworth pointed out would have to come out of expenditure by shoppers elsewhere. The presenters could not deny this.

They, instead, concentrated on what they would do to support local traders - let a trader use the Sainsbury's foyer area, free of charge, for one day to sell their own goods - as one trader pointed out, this would make little difference to the losses which would be incurred over the longer term in normal trading circumstances. They would consider improvements to the street scene.

Sainsbury's also said they would be providing a 70:30 split on goods offered - 70% being food-related and the rest other goods. They expect to include a butcher's counter, a fish counter, a bakery counter .... the 30% would include garden items and other 'seasonal' offers, 'small' electrical, DVDs, children's and women's clothes, kitchen wares, newspapers and so on.

Out of all this will come up to 150 jobs - 50 of which will be full-time and the rest being part-time of indeterminate hours. This will obviously go part way to offsetting the loss, from the site, of 192 full-time jobs at CFH - it is to be hoped that these stay in the immediate vicinity rather than going further afield - the decision has not yet been made, but there was an undertaking that they would not be moving too far.

Whatever the details, it is even clearer now that such a development would jeopardise Radstock town centre and jobs in Westfield, Midsomer Norton shops and further afield too. Ultimately there would be less choice for shoppers and further to travel. Traffic would increase as Sainsbury's made it very clear they had been consulting people from as far afield as Wells, Bath and Frome about their shopping needs; truck deliveries to the store would be made throughout opening hours (7am - 10pm) and there was no unequivocal commitment to not delivering at other times too.

Some very clear choices are beginning to emerge - the key one is do local people really need yet another superstore, especially given the impact it would have on all other traders and on local residents? Just think about Paulton and Shepton Mallet for evidence that whole towns are laid waste by such huge stores, the social and economic fabric of communities is inevitably under threat.

Press Release issued by Amanda Leon, Secretary, on behalf of Radstock Action Group

[30th April 2012]: Radstock Annual Town Meeting - A Chance to Say What You Think

Radstock Town Council has published the notice of the Radstock Annual Town Meeting - it's on Wednesday 9 May. Unlike other Town Council meetings, members of the public will be able to make their views felt by more than just asking questions. Radstock Action Group hopes to see that the Town Council will be listening to the residents of the town. The meeting will fall exactly one week after the Radstock Action Group meeting (Wednesday 2 May @ 8pm in the Methodist Church) with Sainsbury's Reps.

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We have yet to see Radstock Town Council either listening or taking up a positive stance on the regeneration of the town - it is to be hoped that this meeting will give everyone a chance to get involved in a dialogue - not just about whether the town needs a gigantic Sainsbury's but also about how we can build the distinctive character of our town, whether by encouraging independent traders or safeguarding our unique rail heritage or by ensuring that every home constructed in the town in future developments is matched by a job - the only way to guarantee a healthy economy which will be able to gear up for building on our many assets.

We urge everyone to attend the Radstock Annual Town Meeting plus the preceding meeting on the National Planning Policy Framework which will be presented by BANES Reps @ 5.30pm, also at the Methodist Church. This key document will be central to all future plans for development.

PRESS RELEASE issued by Amanda Leon, Secretary, on behalf of Radstock Action Group

[23rd April 2012]: The National Planning Policy Framework - An ideal tool for protecting and developing Radstock?

The government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), was published in March. According to the ministerial foreword, it is about 'sustainable development' which should incorporate 'change for the better', not just in our built environment, but also our natural and historic environment; it highlights the need for higher standards of design and foresees the new planning framework as supporting sustainable development' or 'positive growth - making economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations.'

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'It provides a framework within which local people and their accountable councils can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities .... planning must be a creative exercise in finding ways to enhance and improve the places in which we live our lives'.

So where does this leave Radstock?

How do current proposals for Radstock fit into the NPPF?

At the moment, the town is facing a whole range of challenges and threats which could make a mockery of the NPPF. The Victoria Hall, our key civic building, is all but closed as BANES finds ever more excuses to do nothing; Linden Homes and the spectral vestiges of the NRR have applied for a renewal of the permission of Conservation Area Consent, which will, if passed, give the go-ahead to the demolition of bridges/underpass, former forge/wagon works, railway platforms and wall' all of which are key aspects of the industrial heritage of the community's industrial fame; the Jubilee Oak is in the way of a new unwanted road scheme; Sainsbury's want to build a store in Westfield, the same size as the one in Frome; the former war memorial site is destined to be buried under a new and unjustified road scheme.

Don't rely on your local town council to take up the fight

Radstock Town Council, however, is not going to be in the vanguard of implementing the NPPF. This was illustrated yet again last week when they agreed to support the application to demolish the rail structures. At the same meeting Radstock Action Group asked for the answer to the question first asked at the January meeting, ' What is RTC's commitment to future community uses for Victoria Hall?' Having sat on this question for three months, the reply was that the council could not do or say anything as it had not been consulted (presumably by BANES). So anyone holding their breath to hear that RTC is going to take the NPPF's guidance and use it to support the town, should think again.

There's plenty of energy in Radstock - let's get organised now

What is being done TO Radstock is at odds with the entire thrust of the NPPF. BANES and its acolyte RTC can be expected to do nothing to ensure that it is used in a positive fashion to bring renewed growth and prosperity to Radstock, so it will be up to all those who value the town, who live and work in it.

Anyone wishing to object to the conservation area consent for the railway land should go to: Bath and North East Somerset Case Application: 12/01230/CA (just google the case number) or alternatively write to the case officer, Geoff Webber at geoff_webber@bathnes.gov.uk, or at The Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW. Radstock Action Group is meeting with a representative of Sainsburys at 8pm on Wednesday 2 May at the Methodist Church - everyone who wants to hear more and make their views known is most welcome to attend.

These are just two items to get started on but now that we have a clearly stated government policy to use, we must take advantage of it on every issue - the Core Strategy is still in the melting pot.

Radstock people know what is best for Radstock

BANES Lib Dem administration seems only to observe the voice of the coalition government when it fits with their outmoded view of regeneration - Radstock is not to be used as a dumping ground for inappropriate housing at the expense of the very special qualities and potential of the town - what could be better from BANES point of view than a huge supermarket outside the town centre, killing off the local traders and leaving the stage clear for a housing estate? Radstock Action Group welcomes good quality housing, on appropriate sites, we want more jobs and we want our natural and historical environments to be used to attract more visitors and businesses. When has a faceless housing estate of vast proportions ever done that?

Press Release issued by Amanda Leon, Secretary, on behalf of Radstock Action Group