Harlow Town Centre regeneration plans questioned by Tories
News / Tue 23rd Jul 2019 at 09:47am
HARLOW Conservatives have questioned whether the Labour-run administration has the “vision” to deliver regeneration to the Harlow Town Centre.
Shadow deputy leader, Cllr Joel Charles delivered a withering attack on portfolio holder cllr Danny Purton and his team.
Cllr Purton delivered the report on the redevelopment of the town centre and placed it in context of the wholesale redevelopment of the town, including Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.
Cllr Charles praised cllr Purton’s predecessor, cllr Tony Durcan for partnership working which he felt had not repeated.
The full twenty minute debate can be seen below.
jhumphreys84
2019-07-23 11:26:00
I'd question if any of them can if they can't work together to deliver what's right for the town. Put politics aside and come up with a plan that works for people, not just your parties politics and then everyone get behind it. Christ, not hard is it
TiredofFailedpolitcalnorms
2019-07-24 04:04:27
Exactly... complete shower the lot of them..
durcant
2019-07-24 06:27:32
It may be useful if you read the document as you will see the plan has been drawn up by an independent team after consultation with the community. There is no politic bias and whilst some councillors might use the opportunity to have a go at other councillors the plan stands above politics. There are sections in the report I may disagree with but it remains independent and impartial. Thank goodness. We need to get the plan over the line and then start delivering
tenpin
2019-07-24 11:28:13
This document can at best be described as a vision for the future of the town centre, the sentiments of which most people living in Harlow can only agree with. However what will dog this plan like those in the past is that Harlow Council owns little if anything in the town centre and therefore does not have the "leverage" to get any of the elements put in place. In the meantime (1) Owners of property are doing their own thing, Terminus House is being used to house hundreds of homeless families as are other former offices and retail space, Market House and the surrounding area is to be turned into homes, which means pedestrian access from the nearby car park will still look very poor. (2) The Post Office building remains partially unused, (3) The Fire Service have no intention of moving (I have checked) (4) The road in front of it remains a physical barrier to any expansion of the town centre. (5) Plans to build new flats on the Terminus House car park are in the pipeline and (6) As for the eyesore that is Occasia House, when will any residents ever take up occupation again? What is an even bigger threat to these plans are those of Brookfield Farm, where proposals for a major expansion are afoot and the opening of more food retail shops at Edinburgh Way, where parking is free.
durcant
2019-07-24 16:06:43
The plan is for a future town centre that will bring massive changes some welcomed some not. The plan won’t deal with the current challenges but provides a clear direction that can be used for future discussions with partners. Don’t disagree the town centre whilst successful still has a number of challenges. Many as described by tenpin. However we’re a town moving forward with energy and enthusiasm. We need to invest in the future and ensure everyone has access and opportunity. This is the start of the journey as people and business are crying out for real change. Let’s work and build together and not take cheap opportunities to bleat and moan about the past. It so easy to blame others for historical decisions but I confident they made the right decisions for the right reason for that time. Now it’s our opportunity . Let’s get this plan adopted and get into the serious stuff about making it happen. Thanks
MickyB77
2019-07-24 16:28:16
"won't deal with the current problems", says dur. So it all stays as it is. Priceless.
durcant
2019-07-24 17:43:00
You do wish that some people would just read the plan as this is about the design and structure of a new town centre . If people bothered to research first before making comments they won’t make themselves sound silly. Sadly we’re always going to have pointless negative comments. This won’t deter or delay those community leaders coming together to get this plan over the line. Those who care have the passion and commitment to make this town a better place. Those who don’t .............
MickyB77
2019-07-24 20:10:42
The Tories said he same dur, you must be aware as you were at the meeting ? Where are you getting the properties and open spaces for your plan ? Oh I get it, worry about it later. Hogwash. But, as usual, any adverse comment is met by negative and derogatory comment, which is, the automatic defence mode for the Lefties, along with snide comment.
durcant
2019-07-25 06:36:55
I fully accept that people have the right to make derogatory and negative comments but it doesn’t mean they are correct. It much better to have read the report first before providing derogatory and negative comments. The plan is the strategic blue print that will shape and develop of the town centre for the next decade. The plan was designed and developed by an independent team following consultation. We now need to adopt this and start the delivery. End of
MickyB77
2019-07-26 05:15:52
As usual, dur, , "read the report", you say, which is badly received but it's good for the future. I've got a bit of news for you, when the crackpot road plans are fully implemented, most of Harlow and the surrounding areas will be at a stand-still, two pints don't go into a pint pot.
MickyB77
2019-07-26 15:45:17
Did Harlow council apply for exemption when planning laws were reformed in 2013, allowing for conversions like Terminus House ? Some useful areas for development around that area.
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