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| Bury St Edmunds is a world class market town and these are exciting times to be in involved in its future development. We must conserve what is so great about our town but also embrace a sensible scheme for the Cattle Market. |
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| If we get it right it will be a unique opportunity to attract people into the town of Bury St Edmunds and help support the local economy for years to come. This is increasingly important as our town faces stiff competition from nearby towns and cities that are all developing distinctive ways to attract people from right across the country. |
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| Some of you do not think that all of the current Cattle Market scheme is right for our town. But in the real world no one scheme can ever satisfy 100% of the population. What we must do is focus on the positive points whilst lobbying the council on some of the outstanding concerns. The, leader of the Council, John Griffiths, is addressing these - as he confirmed in a detailed discussion with me last week. |
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| Firstly, the inclusion of a new public building and auditorium. Will this simply turn into a white elephant? The Council group are businesslike in their dealings and are working up a fully costed business plan that tells us what revenue can be made in the future from these buildings. The Council – like the rest of us council tax payers – does not want to be left with a bill for an expensive idea that flops. |
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| Secondly, the car parking issue. Are there really enough car parking spaces? Again, the Council is, I believe, alive to this. They grasp, as we all do, that if there are not enough car parking facilities it could be a drag on the whole project. |
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| Finally, I have heard the charge that conflict may arise between new residents in the development and those using the site late at night for social reasons. The police have suggested it could be a ‘recipe for disaster’. But I do not think it impossible to design a project where people eating and drinking at night can coexist with residents. It seems to work in “café societies” abroad. So why not here – especially as new residents moving in will know what to expect. |
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| I do welcome the idea of the Cattle Market development. But it is imperative that the public are now fully involved in the final consultation process and that as many residents as possible take a close interest. |
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| Your local Borough Councillors make the final decision - so make certain that they hear from you! |
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