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<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next > End >> AJD   Conservation Area Advisory Committee - 2006/05/04 17:14 Many regulars to LM website will know of my keenness to see a Conservation Area Advisory Committee established for Lewes along the lines of the Chichester model. This week's copy of that brilliant new on-line mag "Viva Lewes" carries a short piece from me to introduce the concept to Lewes. If we already had a CAAC up and running, it would be an invaluable aid to help the Council get it right over Phoenix. And, let's face it - they're going to need all the help they can get. Here is what I said: "I believe Lewes desperately needs its own Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC). Everyone who cares about Lewes will have a very different view on recent building development in this historic town. Almost everyone agrees, however, that Lewes has suffered more than its fair share of planning disasters over the last half century. It’s easy, but grossly unfair to lay blame for this on the local Authority. Professional Planners and Committee Members are legally bound to advise and adjudicate on all proposed developments by following clearly established guidelines. And they can only allow, or turn down, what is put before them. This is why so many Local Authorities have turned to groups of local professionals and caring residents for help in their effort to make the right planning decisions. So what is a CAAC? It would have members drawn from bodies like: The R.I.B.A., the R.I.C.S., Town Planners, Urban Design Group, the Georgian, Victorian and 20th Century Groups, the local Councils, the Friends of Lewes, Residents’ Associations and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It would meet monthly to consider all planning applications which affect the Conservation Area, as well as involvement and comment at the initial planning stages of major projects. It would have no executive power whatsoever. Does Lewes need yet another committee? Lewes is full of committees. All well-meaning and most keenly interested in planning development. But none can bring together the depth and scope of ability and experience available through a CAAC. How much would it cost and, crucially, who would pay? Around £5000 p.a. and, ultimately, you – the ratepayer. So the question is – do you agree that Lewes should have its own CAAC? Please use the Discussion Forum on Lewes Matters website to tell me what you think. Anthony Dicks" So please do. Get the ball rolling and don't (as if you would!) pull any punches.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Florrie Bamber   Re:Conservation Area Advisory Committee - 2006/05/04 19:31 Anthony, Excellent idea - I believe that Lewes desperately needs commitment from a group that truly value our wonderful and unique town. I don't necessarily agree with you that to blame our dear LDC planning department for recent disasters is unfair (I'll bite my tongue at this point, but will compensate at a later date). The Friends of Lewes appear to have "had their day" and I have often heard them referred to as the "Fiends of Lewes" - I guess many people in our town would welcome the creation of a CAAC. Good luck in your quest.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Lucy D   Re:Conservation Area Advisory Committee - 2006/05/04 20:22 We all know that our Conservation Area is being completely neglected. Has anyone ever seen a document about the Conservation Area in the Council Offices? I rang up about a listed building and apparently there is supposed to be a Conservation Report for the whole town, but it has never been finished. Has anyone had problems with the Conservation department? I was told I couldn't have railings, as they wouldn't fit in, but if you go to John St there is a massive set of railings that have just been allowed, with strange wavy lines all over them. I know lots of people have had problems, and have been told one thing, and then they are told another thing later that is completely different.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. AJD   Re:Conservation Area Advisory Committee - 2006/05/04 22:20 Florrie. Re. LDC. I was trying to be diplomatic. Thanks for your support Anthony   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. P Hilton.   Re:Conservation Area Advisory Committee - 2006/05/04 23:38 I realise why you are being diplomatic, and we don't need to be rude, but we all know that we are ignoring the elephant in the corner when it comes to the way LDC treat our Conservation Area, and it doesn't take a genius to work out who is responsible. Behind the scenes our local polititians are admitting there are problems, but we don't see anything changing, just developers unnecessarily trashing our town, whilst individuls are being harassed for putting up bits of trellis and having to get some sense at an appeal.(true) Its a shame the local elections aren't this year. If we complain about new buildings some idiot will drone on about us not liking change, but no-one has ever said that. Is every new building that our Councillors have approved that perfect? This town has one major cash-cow, and that is our historic town. Other towns would love to have this beautiful asset, and the benefits it should bring, and what do we do with it? Fill it with traffic, knock bits of it down, and hide the rest with tall buildings, with silly framed glimpses of a castle in deperate need of a grant. You will remember a competition we didn't win, to be best small market town, no-one seemed to know that we didn't need to win , we were already recognised as one of the most important in the country on a special Conservation list .The Council don't even brag about it on their own leaflets. If it wasn't for wonderful local people looking after bits of Lewes like the Baxters field it would be even worse. I say yes to a Conservation consultation group, and that it should have a bit more bite than the cosy local hobby groups that are contributing through their docile inactivity to the deterioration of our surroundings.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Chris   Re:Conservation Area Advisory Committee - 2006/05/05 06:38 Hear, hear. Well said.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum.

Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter General Discussion

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