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Issue No. 13 January 2009 Transport are in hand for well-sited bus stops to serve the new Medical Centre in Restoration South Bar. Transport Update Unicorn gates restored Morrisons pedestrian crossing – a new Because the Civic Society is • pedestrian crossing involving changes The Civic Society was delighted to see represented on the Banbury Traffic to the phasing of the traffic lights at the the reappearance of the restored Advisory Committee, we are able to junction of Swan Close Road and Upper gates of the Unicorn Public House in take our concerns about traffic and Windsor Street will improve access to Market Place. The restoration came transport direct to the appropriate Morrisons from the Gatteridge Street about through an initiative by Banbury authorities. The Civic Society area. This will be welcomed by nearby Town Council’s Built Heritage Working Management Committee recently residents, particularly those in the Party. resolved that more might be done to nearby sheltered housing. stop cyclists riding on pavements and in pedestrian areas of the town; that Readers of this newsletter are invited to matter was taken up and is being contact the Civic Society secretary if referred to the Police. The thoughtless they have comments, suggestions or and often illegal parking of cars in complaints that they wish to be brought certain roads is another matter that the to the attention of the Traffic Advisory Traffic Advisory Committee is trying to Committee. address. It is hoped to extend the Residents’ Parking Schemes that Strategic planning already exist in some roads. The most recent Traffic Advisory Committee Options for growth meeting looked at a number of locations in Banbury where minor alterations “Options for Growth” is Cherwell District might improve the safety of motorists Council’s public consultation on where and pedestrians and enable traffic to new residential development should be flow more freely. Other issues being situated in the period up to 2026. discussed are as follows: Following publication of the consultation document, the Society established a • Car parking facilities at Banbury working group to co-ordinate its railway station – the matter is being response. In its first week, the working treated as a matter of high priority and group held a preliminary meeting, major improvements are highly likely. revisited all the proposed sites and • Speed limits – reductions from 40 mph made initial contact with the Parish to 30 mph along the Warwick and Councils of all Banbury’s neighbouring Stratford roads are proposed, largely to communities. At a second meeting of improve the safety of school pupils. the working group, it was decided which sites appeared unacceptable and which • Grimsbury traffic scheme – the were more acceptable, subject to experimental traffic scheme in caveats. figure of 485 homes, as the area’s Grimsbury is being continually sensitive regeneration would be of great monitored, as are the problems caused On grounds of landscape, traffic and benefit to the town. Grave reservations by greatly increased volumes of traffic sustainability, it was felt that further were expressed about advice received where Merton Street joins Middleton development on the periphery of the from the Council’s partners, English Road. town was generally undesirable, with Partnerships, however. This indicates development beyond the Salt Way being • Buses – the needs and convenience that, in order to make the Canalside particularly so. The Canalside site was of bus users are a significant concern of redevelopment financially viable, 1200 approved on the basis of the published the Traffic Advisory Committee. Plans dwellings would be required and that community facilities such as a school crossing that the town desperately conceal St Hugh’s church, which is would be unaffordable. needs. The findings of a recent audit currently prominent in views down that Banbury has over 1,000,000 square Horton View. The application is As detailed in the Chairman’s letter to feet of unused industrial space appears recommended for approval by CDC the Banbury Cake (published in our last to add further weight to the argument planners, but faces considerable newsletter – available online at (Banbury Cake, 08.01.09). We shall opposition from the elected members, banburycivicsociety.org), the working continue to lobby Council officers and most notably Cllr Kieron Mallon. The group also concluded that the Council’s elected members on this ongoing issue application will be determined following a apparent rejection of the South and would encourage our members to do site visit by the CDC Planning Committee Grimsbury site (Site D – Thorpe Way / the same. on Thursday 29th January. Spittal Farm waterworks / Grundon) was premature. It was felt that the allocation Subdivision of this site could potentially eliminate the Planning Applications Banbury has a long tradition of private need for development on the Council’s landlords dividing family homes into bed- preferred greenfield sites around the Springfield Avenue sits. More recently the property boom town and that it presents much the best Whilst the Society’s scrutiny is normally and popularity of ‘buy-to-let’ has led to a opportunity for the sustainable focussed on Banbury’s historic core, it trend of landlords and speculative expansion of Banbury over the next also keeps track of developments in the developers buying small properties to twenty years. town’s suburbs. One application we are divide into self-contained apartments. To generate a coordinated response, currently objecting to is the proposed The immediate attractions for the further discussions were subsequently demolition of 34 Springfield Avenue and speculators are obvious, as the held with representatives of the parishes its replacement with five two-bedroom combined rental or sales value of the and Banbury Town Council. The Society flats. new properties created is greater than presented its proposals to a well- The building is situated on a key corner that of the original house. Such attended public meeting of Hanwell site and served as a newsagent’s shop subdivision is also attractive to the Parish Council, chaired by CDC’s former until recently. The existing building and Council, as it increases Council Tax Head of Planning, Alan Jones. Another its counterpart shop on the opposite revenues, increases the supply of small meeting of the working group was held to side of the Ruskin Road were built as ‘starter homes’ and reduces the land finalise our response to the consultation integral elements of a model ‘homes for they need to allocate for new house before the timely submission of the heroes’ housing estate, developed from building. Society’s response to CDC. 1919 on the ‘garden suburb’ philosophy. Whilst sub-divided houses and bed-sits Following submission “Options for The existing building is fondly viewed by fill a social need, they can have a Growth” was discussed in detail at the the local community as a local landmark detrimental effect on areas where the Society’s December meeting with CDC and as a cherished element of the local mix between family homes and rented Planners. At this meeting CDC’s street scene. It could be sensitively accommodation becomes unbalanced, Planners dismissed the South reused, subject if necessary to limited as is the case in Grimsbury and parts of Grimsbury option, stating that its extension. Newlands. In these areas parking is a allocation could be challenged by The proposed replacement building is major problem, whilst longer-term developers as being not financially felt to be a poor design that takes residents complain that landlords and viable and therefore ‘undeliverable’. inadequate opportunity of its landmark transient tenants show low commitment Despite government requirements that site. Five flats is argued to be over- to both local community life and the new housing should be on pre-developed development of the site, not least maintenance of houses and gardens. sites wherever possible, it was because the new building would entirely Noise between upper-floor flats and explained that Banbury could not afford to lose its industrial land and that the housebuilders require more easily- developed sites. The Council would thus be obliged to provide the housebuilders with some large greenfield sites. The Society continues to contend that a coordinated mixed-use masterplan for the regeneration of Canalside and South Grimsbury together represent the best option for Banbury’s sustainable growth and that only the regeneration of the two sites together could deliver the riverside 34, Springfield Avenue, on the crossroads with Ruskin Avenue park, public transport hub and third river bedrooms in neighbouring homes can being opposed by neighbours and Ward Town Hall and also be a significant problem. members, led by Cllr Ann Bonner. We are supportive and, should the application People’s Park The physical effects on the housing be approved, we have requested that The Society wishes to congratulate stock are also often negative. Once a conditions be imposed about satellite Banbury Town Council on its successful house has been subdivided and sold off dishes and requiring the retention of the restoration of the previously walled-in as separate apartments it is impossible historic timber sash windows and ‘minstrel’s gallery’ in the Town Hall. We to return it to a single house. Also, chimneys. The application will be hope to be able to report on the Town internal walls, floors, chimney-breasts decided by Committee, following a site Council’s plans for the further restoration and staircases, as well as historic visit on Thursday 29th January. of the Town Hall and for regeneration of architectural features are normally the People’s Park in a future issue. removed. Chimney stacks are often lost The Society is objecting to the proposed and historic windows and front doors are subdivision of 19 Marlborough Road into replaced in upvc. Exterior elevations four apartments.

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