2006 Issue Number 2 SHTAV NEWS Journal of The Association of Small Historic Towns and Villages of the UK

ASHTAV VISITS FROME

Frome is the most important of the five major Mendip towns and it possesses such a heritage of houses, chapels, nooks and bartons that despite several attacks of ‘regeneritis’ from the 19th century onwards, much of its ancient character and charm still remains. It has over 350 listed buildings - more than any other town in Somerset - many of which represent publish flourishes from Frome's cloth, agricultural and market traders putting their money “up-front” from the 1600s onwards. This gorgeous, if dilapidated, stock has benefited from a very active civic society and a local preservation trust that have rescued a number of “buildings at risk” and ensured that lovely streetscapes and ancient mills have not been swept aside in a gaderene rush for modernisation.

ASHTAV members were fortunate to be guided around Frome by Brian Gill a former engineer and designer, whose family has lived in Frome and district for many generations. A glorious door in Church House opposite Frome’s Parish Church was made by Brian’s grandfather and embellished by him with local iron studs.

Frome believes that its town was established as an Abbey site by St Alban in 685 AD, making this market town 1321 years old, although little dating from Saxon times now remains. Frome was built to nestle in the foothills of the Mendips; such low hills were ideal for raising sheep, once the monks had cleared trees from Selwood Forest. The monastic centre based on the site of today’s parish church grew into the centre of England’s woollen industry along with its neighbours, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge. As the town grew, so did its industry, cheap power being easily available in its dozen watermills. Frome’s reputation for good cloth spread and fleeces from further afield—Salisbury Plain and the Cotswold Hills—started to come to the area for finishing. The town’s “woolly” peak lasted from period from about 1500 to 1700 supporting a population of around about 10,000 and Trinity, one of England’s first areas of high density housing for industrial workers was built between 1660 and 1720. Trinity was a prototype for the great mill towns in Yorkshire that sprang up later in the 18th century and virtually destroyed the woollen industry of the south west. It is no accident that the great woollen town in Yorkshire was called “Bradford”. Frome’s Round Tower, which now houses the Tourist Information Office, is a restored stove formerly used for drying out dyed cloth. In 1713, Frome had 54 tradesmen busy in the Above : Via Sacra ; processional way to the Parish Church

Left: Painting the conservation area yellow

Below right: Bunn pillar - let’s make Frome into Bath

Below centre: Brian talks to Ashtav members who admire the Blue House ( Frome Museum is in the background)

Below left : another mill about to be regenerated as flats

Below left : Rooks Lane Chapel rescued after many mishaps ; now a Concert Hall and gallery

Below right : possibility the oldest dwelling in Frome; now a cafe

2 cloth trade compared with 25 at making brass objects the size of Bradford, Yorkshire. In 1745, the candlesticks. Brian showed trade with London amounted to ASHTAV the original Singers site, 1000 lengths of cloth despatched to near to the Corn and Cheese the metropolis in 7 wagons a week. building. Now it’s covered with Ashtav visits Frome...... 1 The local soil is ideal for growing stone-clad homes yet to mellow and Planning : a period of change.7 woad plants, the blue colour that we blend into their surroundings. John Shaw’s Frome Lecture....8 associate with the ancient Britons, Apparently, a small bronze camel Laws and Consequences...... 9 but which Frome used to dye the decorates this suburb. But, it is far Dormitory Towns...... 10 uniforms sported by both sides better to search out its father, Bin Laden Bin Unladen...... 11 during Britain’s Napoleonic Wars. sculpted by Major Cecil Brown, FEATURED ARTICLE Local names map the history of the cast in Frome and unveiled in 1921 The Revival of Local Democracy wool business. Cut hedges existed in the Victoria Embankment by RAY GREEN...... 12 in today’s Gould’s Ground not for Gardens in London as a memorial Planners cause obesity...... 15 their pleasing appearance but to to the Imperial Camel Corps. It The Inspector Says ...... 16 allow wind that percolated hedges shows a camelier mounted on his News from our members....18 and cloth to circulate freely to camel. During World War I such a Silodam...... 23 ensure even drying of recently dyed unit was regarded as capable of ASHTAV AGM...... 24 fabric. So, the informal chemists of fighting and maraudring Frome avoided chromatographic unsupported for five days. effects caused by the different solubility patterns of components in Multi-nationals rarely stay loyal their dye mixtures. Similarly, Rack’s small English towns. Cuprinol used Close was where more dyed cloth to make wood stains in Frome, but was laid on purpose-built racks to this brand has been exported to dry. Slough early in this century taking several hundred jobs away from THE ASHTAV EXECUTIVE As wool declined so other Frome’s economy. COMMITTEE 2006 industries took its place. Almost all of us are familiar with grandiose Stone quarrying was an industry Chairman: John Alexander statues originally cast in Frome. that once absorbed much back- News Editor: Ed Grimsdale Who cannot conjure a mental breaking local labour. Mendip Hon. Secretary: Dan Wild image of Queen Boadicea stone is used locally for building Hon.Treasurer: John Alexander surmounting her flailing carriage, and Brian told of one fascinating Seminars and Media: of King Alfred ruling over discovery. One local “stone-tiled” David Peevers Winchester or Justice that presides cottage had many toothless sheep’s Planning News & ASHTAV over the Old Bailey? All these, and skulls buried in its garden. When Helpdesk: John Bishton many more, hail from “Singers” of the roof was being repaired the Members news: Daphne Wyatt Frome. Even the lions of the reason became obvious, the waste Planning Advisor : Ray Green Rhodes memorial in South Africa not, want not ingenuity of Frome’s Without portfolio: were born alongside Mendip sheep builders had fixed the stone tiles in Anne Lock before making their safari by rail, place using sheep teeth as wedges. Gill Smith. road and sea to the Cape. All that Much of the stone quarried in the came about through a watchmaker Mendips was crushed to make in the Frome market, John Webb roadstone and this produced ASHTAV VICE PRESIDENTS Singer, making a pair of brass another set of jobs for Frome men Professor Malcolm Airs candlesticks for a local church. On – they became the original “Boys Michael Coupe finding there was a wider demand from the Blackstuff” , roughneck he carried on until he ended up journeying “tarmackers”. Such Articles for, and comments with a large foundry. In the 1880s “Yosser-likes” still return to haunt are welcomed: Singers started casting statues. Frome on Friday nights and Sadly, takeovers, mergers and Ed Grimsdale weekends, bringing their “gizza job” News Editor changing market conditions have mentality and anarchic views to reduced Singers of Frome back to bear on an increasingly gentrified 01280 815758 Cont’d on page 4 3 market town. Maybe, ASHTAV met number of townhouses. One has for individual identity that have couple of them, one roaring up and found a new life as a pet shop. I been so creative in producing the down steep Bath Road on his believe many pets are colour blind. morphology of Frome. One yellow quad bike, the other, That’s fortunate for the external associates a “Via Crucis” or “Via emboldened by his fierce white decorations chosen for this listed Sacra” with Rome or the Catholic terrier, fulminated at the sight of building are, to put it mildly, Church. The Church of England Brian shepherding his flock of strident. Powerful families have that ripped out so much of its Ashtavian aesthetes where, once shaped and reshaped the religious statutory after the upon a time, real shepherds looked morphology of Frome. The Reformation has been chary of for a suitable barton to pen their grandees were the “Baths” of over-graphic representations of the sheep for the night. Longleat and they owned much life of Christ. But, here in Frome, land in Frome including the the rising walk to the church is Christmas Eve, and twelve of the “upper” area of the market place fringed by the stations of the cross, clock. that was almost separated from its carved in vivid detail. This "Now they are all on their knees," low-lying partner – that lies within processional entrance to the church An elder said as we sat in a flock Frome’s flood plain. Regeneration was formed during the mid-19c. By the embers in hearthside ease. by the Bath family in the 19th restoration of the church by the century introduced the great sweep Reverend Bennett. A number of We pictured the meek mild of Bath Street, but, maybe it was small properties had occupied this creatures where simply aimed to confuse, because corner of the churchyard - their They dwelt in their strawy pen, Lord Bath’s Street leads one in the leases were bought out and the Nor did it occur to one of us there opposite direction from that needed church took possession of the land To doubt they were kneeling then. to travel to the town of Bath! and demolished them to make Bettering Bath has been an space . Those were “Tractarian” So fair a fancy few would weave obsession to such families in Frome. times when “High” Anglicans were In these years! Yet, I feel, The Bunn family practised law but reacting against what they saw as If someone said on Christmas Eve, they shared a passion for town sloppy latitudinism exemplified by "Come; see the oxen kneel, planning. One memorial to their “Low” churchmen. The Rev’d work is a partially built Crescent Bennett ensured that Frome knew "In the lonely barton by yonder begun and ended by “Bunn” pillars. that its Parish Church was part of coomb the “catholic” communion. Our childhood used to know," Cheap Street has provided I should go with him in the gloom, shopping facilities to the Further up the hill we can see why Hoping it might be so’ inhabitants of Frome for at last 500 the Vicar was so keen to advertise years. Cheap, Chepping and and establish his “catholic” brand. Then pealed the bells more loud Chapman all derive from Saxon 18th century Frome had been over- and deep: words for market. One glorious run by dissenters of every shade and ‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! feature of Cheap Street is its open colour led by the Methodists and The Wrong shall fail, rivulet that streams busily down the John Wesley who made several The Right prevail, middle of the narrow, curving lane. crusades to the town. “His” severe With peace on earth, good-will to Such features were once common Methodist Chapel dominates one men! but “Health and Safety” has put hill, and its power on earth ( Thomas Hardy, the West Country poet) most to bed in underground pipes. extended through a house for the Isombard Kingdom Brunel, the pastor plus a skein of schools and When asked for the meaning of eminent designer of Frome’s halls to wrap its congregation in “barton”, Brian joked that it was station, was unkind about this Methodist values from birth to onomatopoeic! Talk of shepherds feature – he detected that it flowed death. Other sects needed to will remind those whom Brian from the churchyard with its “Holy emulate or perish, so Greek temples guided of another Shepherd, David Well”. Bodies and water didn’t dedicated to Baptists and classical Shepherd, Bishop of Liverpool, appeal to Brunel as much as blood buildings like Rook Street Chapel general good egg and fine cricketer. and water. sprouted as close together as woad He was scion of Shepherds of in fields. Families established their Frome, a family that has left many The Parish Church exemplifies the own worth and identities not only marks on its town, including a divisions, the tensions and quests through adding new facades to 4 their townhouses but also by (much collected by ASHTAV’s late other industrial buildings such a sponsoring a chapel that trumpeted vice president, Herbert Lane) and breweries are being carefully their credos. Frome is a treasure Frome’s one-time Liberal M.P. restored, often as apartment blocks. house, a museum to West Country Thomas Hughes (of Tom Brown’s Redundant, non-conformist dissidence and non-conformity. Schooldays fame). The splendid churches are two a penny in this And, … therein lies a problem. With Butler & Tanner print works centre for dissenters, so it is good to membership of most churches loomed over the district of Trinity. see the splendid example of contracting faster than during the Book printing has largely moved regeneration, and, maybe, there is last century than devotion to east away from Britain’s shores, and scope for Frome celebrating its pigeon-racing, supply of redundant today’s diet for Butler and Tanner is dissenting past in a more cogent places of worship has exceeded the based on short-run, “perishable” full form. will and finance to restore them. colour products such as glossy Frome is an out-going town and it There have been terrible stories of annual reports firms like Marks and may have a higher profile abroad distinguished properties like Rook Spencer. Their old “byzantine” style than at home. A twinning arrange- Street Chapel lying derelict for years building has been turned into smart ment with the French town of Cha- despite Grade 1 listing and local flats and there has been some teau-Gontier has existed since 1975. enthusiasm for its renovation. restoration of the original character Chateau-Gontier with a population Interventions by luminaries, such as of the surrounding area once of about 13000 is in Mayenne the Prince of Wales, ensured that wrecked by 1960’s vandalism in the about 40 miles from Le Mans. It is Rook Street Chapel eventually shape of execrable “council” homes a small medieval town with medie- became an Arts Centre and Concert . val streets just like Frome . Hall. Brian showed us a porticoed Baptist Chapel in the process of The population of Frome has Frome later twinned with being turned into flats, reflecting doubled in the last forty years to Murrhardt in the German princi- our increasingly tolerant attitude about 27,000, mainly housed in pality of Baden-Wurttmberg about towards uses for former sacred sites. new estates on the edge of the town, 20 miles from Stuttgart. Twins be- so the mediaeval centre is still came a triplets and the three towns Frome was home to Christina unaffected if, possibly, a little have three way links. Prominent in Rossetti and her mother at the end neglected in places, an inevitable the exchanges are local schools but of the 1840’s. They were eking out condition given the quantity and bands, singers, many clubs, an existence by running a girls’ quality of old buildings yearning to churches and business associations school at “Fromefield” following the be loved and made useful again. have all become involved in swaps. death of Christina’s father. Neither There are unoccupied upper floors woman was temperamentally suited and more “Living over the Shop” Symbolic of the unity of Europe is to teaching and their enterprise would bring a new vibrancy to the the open air theatre marked by a failed. It is said that Christina’s days centre of a town stripped of its European Community of Stones in Frome were amongst her more prime function: that of cattle (ECOS), twelve large standing unhappy ones despite the town’s market. Frome has tremendous stones, one presented by each of the easy access to lovely countryside. potential and not only as a centre European Community members. Did Christina sum her feelings in for tourism, but it needs to define a The stones were erected in 1992 her poem “Dream Land”? clear role to avoid remaining in the and groups from the other Euro- shadow thrown by glossy Bath. To pean countries attended the open- Rest, rest, a perfect rest improve visitor satisfaction, Frome ing. Shed over brow and breast; needs to concern itself with “views Her face is toward the west, out of town”. One hill is decorated The purple land. with a plain telephone building. Efforts like these have meant She cannot see the grain Inevitably, in these days of “We’ll that Frome in 1995 was the Ripening on hill and plain; meet again by SMS” this stack is only town in Britain to receive She cannot feel the rain pullulating with a hectoring Upon her hand. heterophony of pulsating polyhedral a Council of Europe polyps or, in other words, it’s Diploma. Butler and Tanner have printed sprouting multiple digital phone books in Frome for 150 years for masts. Trust me – not a pretty sight. authors like William Le Queux It is good to see that old mills and 5 Remember Ticker Tape? Enjoy the immediacy without the litter

ASHTAV News is the association’s primary means of communicating with members; it is complemented by the web site www.ashtav.org.uk. ASHTAV News is essentially a journal which enables subjects to be reported at in depth. However, because it is planned to be quarterly there is inevitably inertia. The web site can be immediate, breaking news can be put up within minutes, but then, there is inertia between members’ visits.

The most effective way of keeping members informed is to ensure that the journal and the web site fully complement each other; the journal reporting in detail and the web site posting immediate news. The web site has an additional function of archiving past articles, including “The Inspector Says…” listed under key words and titles.

ASHTAV News arrives on your doormat and is there to read at your convenience, the website is available every day, at any hour day or night. But, because it is updated as news breaks, sometimes not for a month or more, sometimes twice a week, it is easy to miss news.

We propose a register of members who would like to be alerted by email each time the web site is changed. To save time we would include the direct link to the new article in the email. If you would like to join this register please email Dan Wild [email protected].

Town and Country Planning Association For more details visit www.tcpa.org.uk backs retirement at sixty and follow links to news.

Heathrow is sixty years old. The TCPA commends the French Town and Country Plannong solution: new-build becomes the Air Association have issued a report premier airport, and existing pollution written by TONY HALL and SIR airport(s) are demoted to PETER HALL suggesting it is time supporting roles. for this vast patchwork quilt of planning disasters to be put out to The report notes that cities that grass (or housing) and for a new- built their first airport in a distant build airport to be created to the but sustainable position with ample east of London at Cliffe in the room to expand and supported by marshes or further out to sea on an modern transport infrastructure noise artificial island in the Thames have reaped rich economic rewards. estuary : the “Marinair” solution. Amsterdam’s Schiphol and “On hold, Singapore’s Changi are outstanding again!” The report demonstrates that the examples of good planning and are “British” solution to growing lack loved by their users even though of capacity at Heathrow: to build they are situated “in the sticks” congestion support airports further from when compared with Heathrow’s London (Gatwick and Stansted) handy position in the west end of has failed. London. Time to plan now and plan well for action over the next fifty years. 6 “On planning, we have already The message from shadow legislated to make major changes. communities and local government But in frankness, I believe we have secretary, Caroline Spelman, is that much more to do. We must make an incoming Conservative our system quicker, more flexible PLANNING IN A government would recast the and more responsive, and Kate "fragmented" local regeneration Barker, in publishing the first stage regime into a single cohesive fund. of her review at the end of this PERIOD OF In addition, Spelman has made it month, will set out the challenges clear that her party is keen to we still face - to which I can say we abolish the Standards Board. will rise.” CHANGE Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP to the CBI President's dinner, 5 June "A good place to start is abolishing 2006 the unelected regional assemblies and when we have done that we'll The Planning Officers Society abolish the Standards Board which (POS), like the Royal Town puts people off serving their local Planning Institute, has argued that communities and has proved a the existing planning reforms need vehicle for so many malicious time to bed down and that a claims," she said. further round of major changes would be counter-productive - and "We need to transfer powers, re- demoralising. sponsibilities and duties away from Whitehall to the town hall and POS president, Graham Jones, Ruth Kelly from the town hall to local commu- said: "We have put some proposals Minister for Communities & nities. We are serious about giving to the ministers for improvements Local Government back power to local people." which could be easily and quickly implemented and we hope Barker's In a related development, Kelvin second planning review will take a The Department for MacDonald, the Royal Town similar approach." Communities and Local Govern- Planning Institute's policy and ment has created a FORUM to research director, urges us to RTPI secretary-general, Robert allow everyone with an interest in support and retain a democratic Upton, added: "What the Treasury DCLG's work to contribute their planning system. never understands is that planning views on current policy and issues. is about people and places. MacDonald said recently, "We have All comments posted on the site are a unique opportunity in this "It's not the system that is complex - read by DCLG policy officials,who country to create the sorts of places it is the issues that are complex. will take part in each debate. in which people want to live and Different people have different work. Yet we run the risk of concerns and objectives for places - You can browse topics without regis- throwing this away if we heed and these have to be discussed and tering, but will need to register and short-sighted and narrow-minded negotiated." login to post . Closed topics may be read in an archive. This pilot forum calls for a development free-for-all." The recently created Department is evaluated by the independent for Communities and Local Gov- Hansard Society. Live discussion ernment has announced proposals topics are ASHTAV is keen to see real to recast its organisational struc- power devolved to a lower ture. · New Firefighters' Pensions level. A scenario for how this The move could mean a new execu- · Sites for Gypsies and travel- may be achieved is sketched tive branch concentrating on issues lers by Ray Green in this related to climate change and Why not visit the site and get Journal’s featured article that buildings involved? may be found on page 12. http://forum.communities.gov.uk

7 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT Strengthened regional ASHTAV was reminded of the new FRAMEWORKS planning intention:

Clearer policies to deliver “A change in the culture of & planning means changing from quality ‘public participation’ (led by the STATEMENTS OF planning authority and built COMMUNITY Quicker decisions from around the assumption that their INVOLVEMENT Government plan already represents a basis for consensus) to ‘participatory planning’ (in which diverse groups and agencies come together to exchange information, explore common ground and negotiate in an attempt to achieve consensus)”

Participatory Planning for Sustainable Communities: International experience in mediation, negotiation and engagement in making plans. Sept 2003

John’s been around in planning for many years so it was no surprise when he pointed out the origin of The graphic confirm’s John’s point such statements: that Community Involvement is John Smith’s talk to essential to a local development “Public participation is the process framework.. Without a clear state- that is to take place when plans are ASHTAV in Frome ment of how and when community being prepared. It is something interests were involved , there can additional to the formal consulta- John outlined The New Planning be no plan. Local amenity societies tions that the planning authority System and he was insistent that its must be careful on that score, con- undertake with other bodies aim was to create better places to sulting them cannot equate with directly concerned; and it is live. consulting the whole community. additional to the statutory rights of It is necessary to reach all parts of objection to a plan that has been John’s aim was to sketch the nature the community. prepared and placed on deposit.” and history of Local Development Frameworks and then to suggest John amused his audience by invok- Paragraph 32 of People and Planning how communities and individuals ing “TLA” or death by three letter (Skeffington Report) 1969 could ensure that their voice was acronyms. How many of these are both heard and taken into account. you able to identify ?

He used aspects in the gestation of LDF South Somerset’s local plan as an LDS exemplar. RSS John expressed confidence that LDD there will be gains from the new SCI system: SPD DPD Faster, flexible plan making Getting out to involve the community in planning 8 LAWS OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

by Ed Grimsdale

Government funding from the their funding stretched beyond the Many smaller outlets have not fully Office of the Deputy Prime elastic limit addressed access issues that are Minister has given free local bus demanded under recent legislation. travel for those aged over 60 But, there’s another unintended When there was no alternative, outside of peak hours. It was meant consequence to which small towns those afflicted with motor or sight to be a boon. Some cynics have and villages must respond: difficulties waited patiently, accepted identified the measure as an help from strangers, and thought it (unsuccessful?) bribe to ensure that The grey pound is on the better to be treated as a second-class greybeards and grannies trooped to move; it is being bussed out of citizen than receive no service at all. vote New Labour in the May 2006 your town! Now, the combination of a free low- local elections. loader bus, free mobility scooter loan and modern shops designed for all We have become used to eye- has given many the freedom of their catching laws and actions from the city. government that seem later not to be fully funded. Other measures are Any move of money from small half-baked: for every part that rises towns puts their facilities under there’s another part that’s deflates strain and at risk. The writing “Free into a sad, glutinous stodge. This buses for the over 60’s” is on their measure may be typical. walls, but not in a language that Many pensioners in small towns are some small-town shopkeepers finding it as easy to shop for Most readers will appreciate that the understand. In one small town, I groceries in their sub-regional centre funding mechanism for “free” buses found that on Easter Saturday the as to pop down to their more is just that: mechanistic. Funds do outlet for a major Building Society expensive local convenience store. not follow need or existing bus and the only Post Office were shut The pounds in their pocket are routes, but are calculated using an with directions to the alternatives moving from smaller to larger towns abstruse, objective formula. some 13 and 6 miles away. To shut a and from corner shops to Tyneside, with bus services supplied local outlet for 4 days over Easter superstores. I live in Buckingham, an by Nexus, has been badly hit. The when much of the population is not ASHTAV town of some 12 000 subsidy won’t stretch to cover the at work and available to visit may people. It is has one town centre services that have operated in the confirm people’s preference to supermarket that is already on its past. Effectively, old people have travel to larger towns to do business. knees attacked from a nearby Tesco been given a pass with one hand, but We see national evidence of the Express plus an edge of town Tesco necessary services have been closure of small, independent superstore. The town bus service is withdrawn with the other. shopping outlets. Only by increasing slow and for many pensioners it is as convenience and providing a reliable quick to bus to Milton Keynes fifteen This effect can be disastrous in rural and friendly service will minor miles away, a modern town with a areas, the hinterland around outlets survive in our market towns. myriad of competing supermarkets ASHTAV’s small towns. Their The attitude encountered in some from Asda to Waitrose, as it is to be services were already skeletal with shops that may be summed up as trundled to “big” Tesco. The holes where sinews that connected “We’re doing you a service” will not marginal cost of the 25 extra “food” and allowed movement should have suffice. miles is zero. There are extra been. One can predict that the temptations apart from price, choice number of villagers left without a bus Shopkeepers and parish councils and escape from their Tesco triangle: service to take them shopping, to the need to unite to ensure that negative shopmobility scooters and a warm, doctors or just to meet their friends aspects of small towns are under-cover shopping mall with will increase as local authorities find minimised, that their shopping and plenty of free seating. other facilities provide effective 9 competition and to check that there DORMITORY TOWNS Dormitory towns lack autonomy, are real compensations for “going they become mere creatures, fed on local”. All can see how lower All in the town were still asleep, scraps - sleeping citizens - delivered barriers in terms of price and When the sun came up with a shout nightly by their vibrant neighbours, availability to holidaying abroad and a leap. towns that work. killed many glorious British seaside By the lonely streets unseen by man, Some dormit’ries sprang. So Banchory, once a renowned towns. Those that survived adapted, And the day began. place to visit and to stay in on the (with apologies to Rupert Brooke) for instance by identifying niche Royal Deeside tourist trail has markets like “Murder Mystery Few people have a good word to say morphed into “a popular Aberdeen Weekends” or leveling the playing dormitory town”. field by building indoor climatically about such “bedroom” towns. controlled resorts. The rugged Normal towns are multi-functional, An on-line guide gives it the follow- individualism and optimism they serve many needs and ends. ing “Order of the Nod”: exhibited by our proudly Dormitory towns are mono- independent “nation of functional and as such may be classed as dysfunctional. “Banchory is an attractive place. It shopkeepers” will not stop the feels a little like the dormitory for incoming tide or the flight of older The slide into dormitory status leads Aberdeen that it is: and it feels a customers enjoying a free ride little like a place of transit for visi- provided by a government that opinion formers to issue broadsides such as tors and tourists en-route to some- seems to care more for big, where else, and it is that too. But if centralised places than small towns. you are passing through, it is well "We will end up with a real worth some of your time getting to Frequently, small towns are good muddle with traffic congestion and know it better.” places to visit - they offer a rich over-development and I fear heritage and a more relaxing Chippenham will become a environment than their bigger, dormitory town." However, I’ll leave the last word on urbanised neighbours. One way to Wiltshire councillor Phillip Allnatt , March 2006 dormitory towns to Sandbach fight the flight of the grey pound is (rumour says that’s where the for people in small places to unite Sandman who loved baroque and target groups from larger or music dreamed) . neighbours, to reverse the flow on It would be ironic if Bradford on Sandbach Town Council proudly the “free” bus so that the passenger Avon turned its back on mixed use proclaims on its website: traffic is bi-directional. Get the local and accepted the agenda of the historian to lay on guided tours, housebuilders as a dormitory town The surrounding countryside is check that these are on market days, and retirement community." mainly attractive dairy farmland and ensure that gifts shops are (Bradford on Avon Development Trust , March 2006) and hence it is no surprise that brimming with artefacts to take back Sandbach has grown rapidly in to the bigger “smokes”. The artful At least one dormitory town, recent years as a dormitory town place will ensure that not all is changed by expansion in the 1960s, for the adjacent conurbations of revealed on the first visit. Many Bishopbriggs near Glasgow, has the Greater Manchester, Merseyside happy returners will put a hum of the reputation of being "Spam and the Potteries. activity back into the local economy. valley", a place where people can’t (www.sandbach.gov.uk) It’s one reason to hold on to a local find their rent or mortgage and are Tourist Information Centre and, forced to eat the cheapest food to perhaps, to change both its name survive. and its emphasis, Tourist Office sounds much less passive and reactive, doesn’t it? Just imagine being on the breadline If small towns don’t wake up and in a town that sleeps by night and ensure that people work, play and which is turned into a “ghost” town shop locally, when the alarum bell by day as those “with wheels” flee finally rouses them from slumber away to their work. Is they may find that national house THE GREEN MAN builders have turned their place in LITTLE SNORING asleep? into a dormitory. 10 BIN LADEN AND existing green trash bins. Targets the people who are struggling to will be met, councils will gain cope with the new system. BIN UNLADEN approval, and, maybe, there will be Ed Grimsdale less unsightly tipping on road Since appealing for readers to come verges. But, what of the aesthetic forward with their wheelie bin Wheelie bins and old market towns appearance of our built woes, we have received nine similar have an uneasy relationship and in environment? Nash did not complaints to that of mum-of-two many places things are about to get imagine his clean Regency facades Caroline Holden, of Foundry Street worse. littered with sleeping “sentries” of whose family of four simply strident colours bought in bulk by produces too much waste than can Storing wheelie bins is difficult for a local authority.. fit in her bin, yet she has been told many homeowners but it is by East Lindsey District Council it particularly difficult for those living Some newer bins are even more like is unlikely she will be able to have a in terraced town houses. There may bigger bin as its threshold is a be little space in front of the house sentinels, on duty 24/7 checking that the householder is not slipping family of five or a family with and rear garden or yard to the rear children in nappies.” may be accessible solely through the the wrong sort of rubbish into the wrong bin. HGV drivers have become accustomed to “spies in the cab”, commuters just tolerate speed camera spies, but there are signs of a peasants’ revolt as their waste is weighed and found wanting. One of the biggest shows of defiance has been reported in Bournemouth, where councillors estimate that 25,000 "bugs" - one-third of the Conifers in Linden Village grown to total - have been unscrewed. Bins competing with a sunflower to resemble the proliferating provide a vertical element wheelie bins At least we have the convenience of wheelie bins as a right in most house. districts. Just empathise a moments The future is likely to be dominated with some poor people in the USA. by charging for waste with each sack “Bin” day is hazardous for Mums In Palatka ( part of the “pan- or bin-load resulting in extra tax. with push-chairs or toddlers in tow handle” of Florida), normal Sending back a message to base that and for the elderly and disabled, recycling bins are wheel-less and there’s another full bin to be especially those with poor sight. must be dragged to the sidewalk recharged is a fundamental role of Bins laden to the gunnels appear on before 6a.m.. To get a wheelie in the “spy in the bin”. Like all useful pavements at dusk the previous day Palatka, residents need a certificate ideas it will have side effects. In and bins unladen are returned, from their doctor declaring their Switzerland shoppers insist on often haphazardly, by bin men to disability! counters at the exits to act as pedestrian chicanes. These supermarkets where they unwrap “bin voyages” may last 24 hours, or But are British Bins about to grow? superfluous plastic packaging to one day in seven as “bins unladen” Many Councils are attracted to the avoid filling their own waste wait silently for the house-owners’ idea of bigger bins and saving receptacles. Over the border in return from work or play. resources and money by making Germany, neighbours pop over the collections fortnightly instead of garden hedge to top up the wheelie The necessary prospect of ever weekly. Here is a typical gripe culled bin next door. Result: owners tighter recycling targets has caused from “Horncastle Today”: attach locks to their wheelie bins. many a council to order that their Perhaps their electronic bugs bins “go forth and multiply”. In the “COLLECTING waste every two should display “Bin locked” or “Bin writer’s town of Buckingham, big- weeks is a 'dereliction' of the unlocked” as appropriate. daddy large “green waste” brown council's duty of care, according to bins are lining up alongside the 11 invested in trading estates to some The centralisation of decision The Revival of of which were attracted the taking superstores which were replacing Local Democracy high street shops. However, it was ASHTAV recognises two the post war programme of apparently opposing strands in the in England electricity and water supply centralising of governance: one by extensions and the new health and which powers are being shifted by Ray Green education services that first brought from lower to higher tiers of ad- The Association of Small Historic the rural regions up to a standard ministration; the other by which Towns and Villages represents acceptable to the urban population. individual organisations such as amenity societies and parish and That is now history but the result is schools and hospitals are being town councils in England (and the that rural residents expect the freed from local authorities or UK). Many of its members’ governance of country towns and boards, but made answerable to a concerns relate to matters which are villages to meet high standards and central department of state. School controlled by higher levels of that they should have a direct say in governors and members of health government or by large corpora- policies and plans made on their trusts may be drawn from the local tions, and although public relations behalf. community but they are not elected and consultations appear to be high as local authority members and on the agenda of these organisa- Another change has been in their decisions are more likely to tions, there is a swelling tide of attitudes towards new development reflect central policy rather than opinion that the people taking and economic growth. Fifty years local opinion. In the commercial decisions are increasingly remote ago most of the many urban and world there has been a similar shift from those most affected: accounta- rural district councils in the rural from local to national or interna- bility is being traded for efficiency shires favoured both new housing tional ownership, and although the and that local democracy is in deep and new industry and in this they ability of large corporations to buy decline; and that at a time when were representative of the majority in bulk may secure lower prices and rural town and village residents are of the electorate. Today, the a wider selection of goods, increasingly well-fitted for local re- majority favour restraint and many decisions whether or not to invest sponsibility. The principle of subsid- district councils seek only are taken regionally, nationally or iarity, much vaunted at European “affordable” or “social” housing and globally, after advice from level, is reversed in the regions of limited economic growth. Housing consultants who are fully versed in England. targets are imposed by the relative profit margins. Thus the government through the county most prosperous country towns There have been vast changes in the councils ( in future through the have attracted the highest levels of structure and composition of the Regional Development Agencies), investment. In the past, most shops rural population. The agricultural whilst economic growth has and service trades were owned and workforce has been greatly acquired a momentum of its own, operated by local people who felt diminished and farmers increasingly job creation in the rural regions some direct responsibility towards live outside the villages. Over the being at a higher rate in the their fellow townsfolk or villagers. past fifty years some four to five hinterlands than in the country This sense of local responsibility million people have forsaken the towns they surround. Housing has been lost in favour of greater major cities to live in villages and constraint may satisfy much local service and wider choice, but the country towns or in coastal opinion but it derives as much from cost has been the loss of many retirement areas. So great has been the metropolitan lobby which village facilities, the need to travel this dispersal of population that it equates rebuilding on every to town for most requirements and has been estimated that over half of available urban site with the regen- the transfer from the smaller town the residents of the rural regions are eration of the cities and the to the larger of many activities either ex-urbanites or their achievement of sustainable environ- including agricultural markets and offspring. This has led to increasing ments. Neither constraint nor the primary health facilities. prosperity and a rise in entrepre- imposition of house building neurial activity. Faced with the ‘targets’ represents the result of decline in agricultural employment local debate nor local democratic The ‘reform’ of local government and a rising population most decision making. district councils in rural areas 12 The transfer of responsibilities and electricity. Investment depends on a of the system. Gradually however, functions to higher tiers of triad of interests: shareholders, the government began to issue government and less direct European and other standards, and what it called planning policy and involvement of elected members in the government ‘office’. If there is a regional policy guidance which has most individual and some policy fourth estate – local interest – it is become increasingly mandatory decisions are the aspects of reform difficult to determine. To a degree through the decisions issued on that most concern the Association. highways and transportation appeal by the central Inspectorate County councils’ education powers services remain with county and by the threat of costs against have been weakened and most of councils and unitary authorities councils which act unreasonably by their planning powers are being which are responsible for the not accepting government transferred to Regional Assemblies maintenance and improvement of guidance. More and more the and Development Agencies. District local roads. However, the level of planning system has become a tool councils hold a strong environmen- investment in the highway network of central Government using local tal function, but retain few housing is closely controlled by government. authorities as their agents; the powers and their planning function The search for sustainability and more so since the government is mainly to create frameworks onto the commitment to reduce offices in each English region will which can be grafted the regional greenhouse gases place an emphasis be strong in their influence on strategies and to control on public transport, but again local regional strategies. The system is development accordingly. District influence is minimal, especially as strongly ‘Top-Down’ meaning that councils have gained some National Rail operates nationally plans will be imposed by region on community involvement, but and most transport is privately locality, although there will be overall local authorities are seen to owned and managed, albeit subject structural consultation and local or be there to implement central to government franchising. Such is sub-regional studies. ASHTAV government policies and plans and the complexity of the management seeks a more direct local in that context the new cabinet of infrastructure services that involvement from ‘Bottom- Up’ system and the delegation of partnerships have to be formed and believes this should be decisions to officers may be logical. whenever growth or regeneration is achieved through representative However, it seems to leave members envisaged. elected councils. outside the ruling caucus to monitor performance rather than to Development and design Subsidiarity take decisions. However efficient the results, these ‘reforms’ make When the Planning Act of 1947 Hundreds of country towns and decision making more remote from came into force, both the villages have made assessments of the local populace, a circumstance development planning and their problems an potential in the acknowledged by the plethora of development control were the re- form of Town Health Checks ( consultative procedures. sponsibility of the County Council following Countryside Agency and County Borough Councils. advice), with the help of Action for Infrastructure The Government controlled the Market Towns, or as part of the overall direction of growth through Coastal and Country Town Water supply and sewerage having industrial development certificates Initiative ( supported by been transferred from local (and later through certificates which development agencies); or as village authorities or quangoes to private had to be obtained in advance of surveys sponsored by county ownerships are managed at a variety seeking permission to build offices) community councils or voluntary of levels. Experience suggests that and set down procedures, but left agencies. These assessments customers can make ready contact the content of plans and the indicate the capabilities of small with their suppliers, but investment control of development mainly to ‘rural’ communities but they also decisions are more difficult to members. There was provision to bring the realisation that the power influence. Similarly with the appeal, decisions by the to remedy their deficiencies or suppliers of gas, electricity and tele- Inspectorate being decided mainly achieve their potentials lies communication services. All are on the merits of each case. In 1984 elsewhere. The Association controlled to a degree by central planning powers were divided appreciates that many decisions are government through ‘offices’ such between the county and the new, best taken at national or regional as OFTEL for the telecommunica- larger district councils, but elected level when nationals or regional tions providers and OFWAT for members remained at the forefront interests must prevail but the 13 principle of subsidiarity requires that every decision is 3. It shall be the responsibility of the Community taken at the lowest level consistent with European, Council to make periodic assessments of the national or regional policy. Our proposals are intended need for conservation, and the potential for to move the balance in favour of the small community investment to meet social, economic and envi- to allow each locality to contribute to its future. ronmental needs, with professional assistance as necessary. Proposals 4. Within the District within which they are The association accepts the new local government and located Community Councils should be planning arrangements as set for a number of years and represented at District Council meetings and does not anticipate any great reversal in the trend to the Community Councils should jointly concentrate commercial organisations into fewer hands appoint an officer to assist in their duties and operating on a continental or global scale. Our represent their views. proposals are to raise the powers and responsibilities of communities in the Shires. 5. The precept of Community Councils to be raised to fund their new duties.

1. Town and Parish Councils should be recast as From Heritage Link... Community Councils, each representing one or Grant-in-Aid cuts for British Waterways more identifiable communities, depending on size and situation. British Waterways has now made public that it has been told that its grant-in-aid for the financial year April 2006 to March 2007 has been cut by a further 7.5% (£4.5 million) 2. There should be a widening of the duties and in addition to the 5% (approximately £3.1 million) cut that responsibilities of the councils to include: was made in March 2006 and that there is the possibility of a yet further cuts this autumn. In total, this would mean a a. To appoint one or more governors to loss of over £9 million to British Waterways in the year, the local primary and secondary with 15% of its grant-in-aid lost. schools within the council’s British Waterway's grant comes from both the Department area; for Environment Food & Rural Affairs and the Scottish b. To appoint one or more trustees to the Executive. This year, BW was originally advised that it local NHS Trust in partnership should plan to receive £73.5 million grant-in-aid but the with other Community Councils Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs has lying within the trust’s been unable to meet its obligations. The Department must boundaries; pay a large fine to the European Union for its failure to c. To appoint a member to the local make prompt payments to farmers via the Rural Payments highway or road safety Agency. The Department has also incurred substantial Committee operating within the overspends in correcting the systems that makes payments to farmers and on some other projects. No further funding council’s area is available from Treasury so the Department has decided d. To form a liaison working group with to cut further the budgets of agencies including BW. organisations providing infra- structure and other public, and British Waterways has begun to assess the implications of the likely need to make savings of between £10 million and commercial services within the £12 million per annum over the next five years and has council’s area indicated that it may need to delay or abandon some water- e. To participate in joint planning way restoration programmes, close some waterways, shed committees comprised of considerable numbers of employees and increase boat li- members of Community and cence fees. District Councils The Inland Waterways Association, the independent body f. To provide and maintain facilities for that campaigns for the restoration, use, maintenance and recreation and other community development of Britain's inland waterways, is deeply con- activities, as appropriate in cerned by the funding implications and the weakening of partnership with other councils British Waterways. IWA is now considering how to make and organisations. ministers and other decision makers aware of the conse- quences of funding cuts and of the need to review its fund- ing decision-making process. 14 "Then, and only then, will we see PLANNERS CAUSE OBESITY decreases in levels of childhood obesity in this country." Many councils in the United Poor town planning is one of the example walking or bicycling versus Kingdom are operating causes of the outbreak of obesity automobile use." programmes to deal with obesity that started in the United States Professor Jackson, who is professor but they emphasise healthy eating but has spread to Europe That is in both public health and urban and suggest extra fitness exercises. the hypothesis advanced by US design at the University of Such schemes require self-discipline paediatrician, Professor Richard California at Berkeley, said and increased expenditure on a Jackson, who has issued a rallying technology had brought both different diet and, maybe, a call to get us walking again and he "good" and "bad" news. subscription to a gymnasium. urges a rethink in the way towns Labour saving technology has and cities are developed. eliminated much of the Health through better planning We have "designed" a lot of “backbreaking” labour that was part would make the environment incidental exercise out of our lives and parcel of most people’s lives. healthier by design. By making and today’s children take The special relationship across the “Safer Routes to School” so insufficient exercise. Richard Atlantic causes Britons to most attractive and secure that Jackson blames poor town planning resemble our North American youngsters and particularly their for limiting opportunities for cousins. A recent study has parents would not consider children to take exercise. He says concluded that the British were, on hopping aboard their “Chelsea that living in a walkable neighbour- average, the most obese of all tractor”. Pedestrian “short-cuts” to hood helps people to lose an Europeans. shops and charges for parking can average of seven pounds or over contribute by tilting the balance in three kilograms. favour of walking or cycling. Professor Jackson gave a lecture "We have also "designed" a lot of recently at London's Institute of incidental exercise out of our lives, Child Health. He said humans such as walking. Obesity results from consuming were so adaptable that they quickly "In 1969, 48% of American more calories than are expended adjusted to the environment in students (90% of those who lived through activity. Increased which they found themselves. within a mile) walked or bicycled to affluence and changed eating school. habits from formal, balanced However, while this was an family meals to snacking and advantage in evolutionary terms, it "In 1999, only 19% of children grazing mean that calorie checks spelled bad news when that walked to or from school and 6% are more difficult to impose and environment provided little rode bicycles to school." monitor. Burning off the excess opportunity for exercise. These figures are mirrored by fuel through exercise that cannot be Humans were designed to keep studies in the United Kingdom easily avoided may be a cost-effec- active, he said, and they were not where the “School Run” rules but tive remedy and help us to build designed for the modern, sedentary involves no running. better places. lifestyle that had become the norm. Dr Ian Campbell, medical director He said the environment should of the charity Weight Concern, said support people to make healthy Professor Jackson was "absolutely choices, but increasingly children right". were not given the option of "”he fact that environment sustaina- walking. bility and health are inextricably "Prescribing a minimum of physical linked needs to be recognised by activity is useless if there is nowhere politicians and public health to exercise," he said. officials and definitive action Fat spare tyres "How a neighbourhood is designed taken.” dictates how people get around, for

15 THE INSPECTOR SAYS

A column of extracts from the planning press prepared and annotated by John Bishton.

Registration of a town dure for registration, the authority This could be the start of a trend. acting through its inspector could DCS no : 100041608 or village green allow amendments, guided by the general principle of being fair to the parties. However, their Lordships Home work units st The Times, May 31 2006 carries a declined the request to specify what not acceptable law report of importance. It carries amounts to sports and pastimes. further a matter first reported in the They do so on the grounds that this as employment usage ASHTAV journal several years back, is within the province of the Office shortly after the enactment. Qxford- of the Deputy Prime Minister as shire County Council, Oxford City being in the nature of a Planning An Inspector has rejected the con- Council and another sought clarifi- Policy Statement, and that for them tention that work from home units cation from the House of Lords re- to do so would inevitably be con- would satisfy policies seeking to garding rulings made in the High strued as a supplementary statute. protect land designated for employ- Court and then the Court of Ap- ment. She regarded the employ- peal. In the event, they have still not The above is an attempt to précis in ment usage as likely to be minor at arrived at clarification of all the ten laymen’s language several thousand words of best. Despite a number of advan- issues taken before the Law Lords, a law report. So, it is clearly worthwhile that tages that she recognised, it would but it is now clear which of ten top- the community affected referring to the produce a largely car-dependent ics still need clarification by our leg- edition of the Times and, if necessary, to the enclave and would not form a class islators in the Lower House, and proceedings. Members of ASHTAV may have 61 business development. varying experience of the effect of the which ones the Law Lords have There have been a number of examples of agreed on. Regarding the 20 year Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000, and it would be of great value if they reported land no longer needed or safeguarded for job rule: the effective date for registra- creation being to become housing tion is the date of the application their own experience to the wider membership. sites. This must be a large proportion of the for it to be registered. So the woolli- supposed brown-field statistic. Along with ness of the 1965 Act and the 2000 the "house in the garden" brown-field cate- amendment is overcome. Other- gory one begins to wonder how reliable the wise, it would be open to the object- statistics are. ing owner to frustrate the Manor House or registration by barring access. Re- New build DCS no : 100041895 garding the use of the registered land, the majority held that, provid- An inspector has permitted the building Acceptable flood risk ing the owner was not excluded, the of a replacement for a demolished land can be used generally for sports house on a country estate in An inspector has approved an and pastimes. (The minority view is Leicestershire together with courtyard application for 51 sheltered that only the applicant user's uses buildings in order to rejuvenate the estate which had fallen into decline. apartments and ten affordable apply.) Give and take would be re- This will happen near to a village, housing units in Cornwall despite quired between owner and users, contributing to the economy by the anxieties of the Environment regarding how each used the area. employing local people in running and Agency. They said that though The majority of their Lordships managing the parkland and gardens. The scheme would strengthen the there are defences in place the area held that the Victorian statutes, of community and support local services. could flood in certain tidal and 1857, aimed at nuisances, and of fluvial circumstances. The 1876, aimed at encroachments or So, it is still possible to build a country house applicants, McCarthy and Stone, fencing off, did apply to land regis- on the grand scale, provided it is planned to were prepared to make an input to tered as a green, Regarding proce- benefit the community and not just a. state- ment of wealth and power.? remedy a deficiency in flood 16 defence systems, including a short compelling reason to allow the From Heritage Link... appeals. wall along the river. In the The Conservation inspector's view this would ensure It takes time to revise 8 District Plan; but that the occupants were not put at surely by 2002 the need for affordable Awards 2007: call for en- significant risk. In the event of a housing was not news. How did the tries flood the on-site manager would previous plan get by the review? If the Council was concerned about the The Conservation Awards recog- control the evacuation of the suitability of these sites it could surely have residents. had some others lined up for proposal, nise excellence in conservation, even if not allocated. 1t is very much to be collections care, conservation re- Global warming? Insurance? hoped that the new Commission for Rural search and digital preservation, Communities will address such issues, rewarding and celebrating the Pressure on nice places to live. otherwise the nature of small/ towns and villages in desirable areas will continue to skills of those who care for cultural Social mix (?) change in unsustainable and unbalanced heritage. ways. Average earnings and unemployment The £15,000 Award for Conserva- in nice places can still be uncomfortably low. Meanwhile affordable housing in tion is for an outstanding project Home in cities and larger towns is running at much conserving individual items or col- higher rate than in the countryside. It is lections. The entry deadline is 15th the Barn also to be hoped that design will not be December 2006. The £15,000 sacrificed, (as it was insome decades), despite the lower salaries paid in some Award for Care of Collections is An inspector has ordered the removal rural authorities. for an initiative leading to signifi- cant and sustainable improve- of a structure within a bam in ASHTAV members could surely Wiltshire. The appellant asserted that playa part here in reviewing or ments in caring for collections. the house had been in continuous use generation of Conservation Area The deadline for this category is during the last four years. The family's th evidence appeared to support this Appraisals. also 15 December 2006. The contention. The appellant had £10,000 Student Conservator of deliberately concealed this use from DCS No: 100041456 the Year Award is for an excep- council officials and responded falsely tional project completed during a to planning contravention notices. The inspector doubted the clarity and Mobile but UK training programme or intern- conclusiveness of his evidence. ship and has an entry deadline of Similarly, he doubted that caravans Permanent 28th February 2007. The £5,000 had been stored continuously for ten Digital Preservation Award recog- years in a second bam. An inspector has rejected a proposal for 20 permanent units at a mobile home nises leadership and practical ad- A farmer of my acquaintance makes his park in Berkshire, saying it could not be vancement in the digital bam(s) available for winter storage. He treated as an exception to normal preservation arena. The deadline has also received grant aid for diversifi- planning restraint policies. The for entries is 31st March 2007. The cation of other, redundant listed barns applicants offered a legal agreement £2,500 Anna Plowden Trust it can be done. stipulating that the housing would be DCS No: 100042013 Award is for a completed pro- available to local families. This did not gramme of research or develop- win the approval of the inspector, who ment advancing the knowledge Need for affordable observed that the homes would on average cost approximately £135, 000 in and practice of conservation. The homes outweighs their st an area where 40% of households entry deadline is 31 March 2007. rural impact earned less than £25, 000 per annum. The Digital Preservation Award is In his view the provision of 20 dwellings sponsored by the Digital Preserva- constituted a significant development. Two appeals involving affordable tion Coalition and the Research homes have won support from an The householders would be dependent inspector, over sites in Derbyshire. on cars. And the applicants had and Innovation Award by the Both sites lay outside existing declined to contribute £66, 000 towards Anna Plowden Trust. settlements, but the inspector agreed improving capacity at two local schools. For details about entry conditions, that there was a strong need for Without that contribution the scheme see them. A survey in 2002 indicated a would have an adverse impact on the need for 261 such dwellings in the education facilities. The Conservation Awards website district. In 2004/5 only eight such dwellings were built. And no sites www.conservationawards.org.uk or had been allocated in the area as This went to enquiry. contact the awards administrator suitable. Despite some impact on the Enough said. at DCS No: 100042101 countryside the need was a [email protected] 17 NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

PROTECTING ITS T.I.C. The Corsham Civic Society has embarked upon a collaborative project with other Corsham organisations to find a structure under which the Corsham Tourist Information & Heritage Centre can operate in a financially sustainable way. Unfortunately, the facility is under threat like so many TIC’s as North Wilts District Council seeks to divest itself of costs stemming from non-statutory functions

A proposal has been prepared by Ian Storey, President of Corsham’s Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs Anne Greenly, Chairman of the LANCASTER CIVIC town’s Civic Trust, based on the that some years earlier had “listed” concept of a Development Trust SOCIETY the adjacent bus-garage and public was submitted to the TIC’s present HAS FOUGHT FOR ITS baths. Lancaster Society reasoned operators, North Wiltshire DC, in GEORGIAN HERITAGE that this listing of trivial buildings October 2005. had been effective in putting The glorious, clean Georgian facade planning blight over the whole of The participation of Corsham seen above is condemned to over- the inter-linked site. Town Council in the proposed development. The Lancaster Civic Development Trust is recognised as Society accepted the need for The Civic Society had been in being essential because it is elected regeneration but drew the line at detailed negotiations over the plans to represent the local community. what it saw as inappropriate for an eleven storey apartment It also is charged with the role of development; their concerns were block, curiously perched behind the trustee for the management of about new roof structures that facade of the former bus garage, Arnold House bequeathed to the would obtrude into views of this but, after the debacle with the town by the Pictor family. The classic structure. The proposals roofs, its Executive decided to proposal foresees the new Centre called for new monopitch roofs to withdraw from further discussions. continuing to be located in this fine the two linking screen walls that building. ASHTAV wishes would stretch ever upwards to much The end-product the Society feared Corsham every success in this higher walls at the rear. Lancaster was three, heterogeneous and worthwhile project. Civic Society accepted the meaningless facades that neither economic constraints and asked one covered nor complemented the Other amenity societies may of its architect members to provide jangle from ill-matched new-build be interested in saving their an alternative proposal. It involved behind. Tourist Information Centres lower pitched roofs clad in through the creation of a Cumberland slate, a far more con- The story is one of the development trust. The text-sensitive solution. consequences of over-enthusiastic progressive Corsham Civic listing that failed to respect the Society maintains a lively Unfortunately developers and local needs of context: a finer Georgian website: planners gave the idea short shrift stack that marked an important www.corsham-civic-society.co.uk and the Lancaster Civic Society felt entrance to its town. let down again by English Heritage 18 Supermarkets threaten the attractive mix of Budgens site, on former railway smaller shops which give land near the town's largest car and Sheringham town centre its special park, has planning permission but character. The Cromer Road and has not progressed, pending the Sheringham adjacent roads are already heavily outcome of the Tesco application congested during the holiday season and release of land owned by the and this development would make district council. The Guardian Newspaper the congestion worse. Distinctive period buildings would be reported in April 2006: demolished. The fire station would Following changes in Government be moved over the road from its guidance on out-of-town present position and would be supermarkets and doubts about the As shoppers gossiped by the boxes subject to the increased traffic need for further retail space in this part of North Norfolk, an of purple tulips in Sheringham's congestion. Substitute housing independent survey was bustling centre this week, it was would be constructed on an attractive site which has been used commissioned by the district not just Tesco's £2.2bn profit that as allotments for many years and council and conducted by was a source of wonderment. would involve the construction of consultants DTZ. Its results, an access road of totally unsuitable released in July 2005, ranked the Last September traders from Tesco plan as the least justified of Claws 'n' Paws pet shop to Blyth appearance on common land. The Community Centre would be the four major supermarket & Wright ironmongers, joined moved further out of town giving applications currently under locals in celebration when the access problems. The development consideration in the district and district council emphatically is also adjacent to two churches and recommended that such rejected Tesco's proposals for a sheltered housing. developments should be concentrated in the growth towns: supermarket in the north Norfolk For these reasons the Preservation Fakenham, North Walsham and to seaside town. Society and a considerable a lesser degree, Cromer. proportion of the population Less than six months later, the strongly opposed the development, same councillors suddenly voted in although there were others in the This caused a major rethink by the favour of the same application. town who supported it, on the council's joint planning committee. Local astonishment only deepened grounds that food store floor space At its meeting in September 2005 when the councillors announced was inadequate. this committee, which had they could not publicly explain the approved the Tesco application (with conditions) two years earlier, reason for their dramatic u-turn. The proposals were decisively rejected it by twenty to nil, with rejected by the district council's one abstention! We now await western area planning committee, Tesco's response. They could Here are the views of but on being put to the combined appeal, which would prolong committee this decision was uncertainty. Sheringham and District reversed. The issue has been aired Preservation Society: in the national press, on Radio Four's World Tonight. Most recently, Preservation Society The largest single development Chairman Reg Grimes was currently in the pipeline is the interviewed on BBC2's Newsnight proposed development of a Tesco in November 2005. The store on the seaward side of the Sheringham Tesco superstore issue Cromer Road (A149), The has been hotly contested for many Sheringham and District years and is closely tied up with a Preservation Society has strongly planning application by Budgens for opposed this development for a much smaller store selling only several reasons. It would seriously grocery items. The proposed

19 BUCKINGHAM SECURES RIVERSIDE WALK PROJECT AND A COMMUNITY CINEMA

Buckingham owes its existence to a group and authors of an attractive was time to improve access to bend in the river Great Ouse. Since riverside walk leaflet. Buckingham’s riverrene acres. the last Ice Age the river has taken a detour around three hills formed During the past two decades the Now young and old alike enjoy from moraine debris. Buckingham Society has never “The Film Place” a Buckingham forgotten its commitment to “the Community Cinema Project that is Traditionally, the “loyal and ancient river”. When planning applications housed in a large lecture room in town” of Buckingham, suggested new Buckingham’s independent that was fortified by King developments on the University. Funding has been raised Alfred the Great in AD outside bank of the river for the initial set up costs for the 979 as a forward bastion it was the Society’s long-term cinema facility and a against the encroaching planning group that business plan will ensure sustaina- Danes, has turned its back suggested that the houses bility. The Project won a winning on its river. be grouped so their award from Action for Market facades faced the river. At Towns last year. The old town was not a the end of the last That organisation listed three learning green space for the limited Millennium the Society points that may help other Market space within the loop of held a “Year of the River” Towns: the river produced high density to raise housing around a large market awareness and Community place. Houses turned their backs on show that the inspired the river for its shallowness limited river corridor regeneration its utility as a means of communica- could and tion yet the river posed a constant should play a How a community threat of “flash floods”. Frequent real part in local may identify and floods are caused by the town’s leisure and address local nearness to the source of the Ouse culture. A full resource needs just beyond the next market town of colour booklet Brackley, and the steep gradient “Our River” was Partnership between Brackley and Buckingham. published to working to deliver The situation is exacerbated by poor capture some of arts based drainage in the Buckingham area the river’s community which is underpinned by clay and history and its initiatives outcrops of a compacted form of importance as a limestone that locals like to call habitat for flora Town and gown “Buckingham marble”. Twenty four and fauna. The year ended with a are involved in developing a hours of rain on the river exhibition and fun phased project to link the stretches Southern Northants and games on the river of the town’s existing riverside walk uplands can precipitate including a cross river tug of into a more continuous and disaster downstream at war using an Old Ford. accessible circuit. The results of a Buckingham. Market Town Health Check This ground work proved produced a firm basis for a bid that Twenty years ago, The successful. has secured substantial funding Buckingham Society When Buckingham from the South East of England worked with its Town and initiated consultations for Development Assoction (SEEDA), District Councils to create its “Buckingham Buckinghamshire County Council, an informal “Riverside Walk”. The Community Plan” local opinion Aylesbury Vale District Council and amenity society’s role was as ginger highlighted the need to improve the Town’s Parish Council. facilities for youngsters and that it

20 TOWCESTER LICHFIELD BUS STATION CELEBRATES Lichfield Civic Society has received ITS INDUSTRIAL a report from Transport 2000 (West ARCHAEOLOGY Midlands) critical of the city's Bus Station. Members of that local group recently visited Lichfield to look at the Bus Station and the facilities for transport interchange in the City. The report says that LINDFIELD VILLAGE PAN "Lichfield Bus station is currently STEERING GROUP chaired by very poor and is not welcoming to Michael Davies has completed a visitors to very thorough and comprehen- the City. The shelters at the Bus sive VILLAGE PLAN for its station do not look as if they have West Sussex village.. The details been painted for years". may be viewed by following the The authors point out that there is links from the Lindfield Parish no proper information display This walking guide first published Council’s website at giving details of the layout of in October 2005 highlights www.lindfieldparishcouncil.org.uk the Bus station; where buses run twelve sites related to the and which stand each operator uses industrial archaeology of Village development plans are full etc. There are also no raised Towcester. There is a map of particulars, but some findings "kassel" kerbs in the Bus station showing where these sites are, in the survey of residents’ (although these have recently been and each has a photograph and a concerns may resonate with installed in other parts of the city). paragraph of information. ASHTAV readers in other Another cause for concern was the The leaflet is No. 1 in the series villages: significantly reduced provision for "Discovering Towcester". Buses shown in the exhibited “97% said the Post Office in the That’s an idea for other plans for the City Centre; and the High Street is vital “ASHTAV” towns to emu- complete absence of any provision late. So many have created for Taxis or 'kiss & ride' space in 91% said we need a public toilet town trails that look at their the revised layout outside the in the village (though the District settlement as a whole, but railway station as shown in Council wanted to close it) and locals and returning tourists Harrison's proposals. 70% said there should also be need fresh stimuli. To look at As the report says "It is vital that the one on the common (though the a town from different angles deficiencies of the current Bus District Council has already will stimulate interest and station are not perpetuated". closed and demolished one generate a more caring atti- Whilst walking around the City the there). tude to those places that may visitors were given copies of the Bus not be pretty but have con- timetables published by As many as 30% would be willing tributed mightily to the place Staffordshire County Council in the to pay a higher tax to the Parish and its culture. Information Centre; but at the Council to meet the needs of the City's Library these timetables were For more details visit: village – for a wide variety of www.mkheritage.co.uk/tdlhs/ hidden Such important information perceived needs – proper for visitors should always be on toilets, provision for young display. Chorleywood in Bucks sets us people, better parking and traffic Considering the importance of all a great example of how to management etc. Lichfield as a transport interchange make businesses thrive in a small Undoubtedly traffic issues for the district. the facilities town. Visit (parking, speed, “rat runs” and provided at the Bus station are www.ezeweb.co.uk/chorleywoodnet large vehicles in the very poor and reflect a history of and browse 24 hours a day the High Street) are enormous areas under-investment. stores and businesses located in of concern and generated pages Lichfield Civic Society is awaiting a leafy Chorleywood. of comments and suggestions.” response from their District Council to these criticisms. 21 Planners are passionate about THE NOBLE compromise because it is usually the best solution to conflict.

PLANNER Most people think in terms of single issues and activities: work, family, transportation, religion, etc. Good planning is , So, go forth and toil noble so day-to-day decisions, such as Planning is among the planners. Take heart that how we travel and what we your efforts, although under- noblest but under- consume, are consistent with our long-term goals and moral values. appreciated, are essential to appreciated of professions. your community’s well-being. Yet, planners receive little Planners are entrusted with recognition for their magnificent helping a community create its accomplishments. Their work is preferred future – good planning taken for granted, noticed mostly helps make progress toward when problems occur. As the paradise while bad planning leaves a arbitrators of public decision-mak- legacy of problems and conflicts. ing, planners are lightning rods for Planners perform civilization’s criticism. heavy lifting by anticipating and resolving the myriad conflicts that Their role as unbiased facilitators is occur within a often misinterpreted as heartless community. Being a good planner bureaucrats. Stakeholders frequently requires a unique approach to hold planners personally issues: responsible when dissatisfied with an outcome. Most people think about issues from their own individual Planners need diplomatic skills and perspective; they ask “what’s a thick skin: they know they have best for me?” Planners, on the done their job well if they are other hand, are responsible for criticized approximately equally by considering ; each group in a conflict. they ask “what is best for everybody overall?” A family physician who emphasizes preventive strategies such as Most people prefer to ignore reducing tobacco consumption, problems until they become eating balanced diets and regular unavoidable. Planners are exercise often provides far more professional worriers who seek out health benefits at a far lower potential problems so they can be cost than a heart surgeon who anticipated and mitigated. intervenes after ill health develops. Reprinted from the Preface to Yet the family doctor is Planning Principles and Most people prefer to define issues considered an annoying nag while as simply as possible. Practices the surgeon is considered a hero. Planners learn to by , and search for Todd Litman Similarly, good planning and . tends to be undervalued because Planners learn to work with decision-making functions smoothly uncertainty and ambiguity. May 2006 and problems are prevented, so the people who Most people consider compromise a benefit are unaware of their gains. sign of weakness and failure. 22 We’re used to small towns and villages that are collections of differently sized houses and businesses grouped in districts for mutual benefit. We’re unused to tower blocks that have the character of villages. Our blocks express unity of design, form and purpose; they exhibit monolithic SILODAM simplicity and homogeneous use. IDEAS On this page you can see 157 FROM apartments, business units and was designed public spaces in a Housing Silo. EUROPE: Apparently, every unit is unique by in size and in variable internal lay-out. They are contained within a 10 storey urban MVRDV envelope that is 20 metres deep. SILODAM Both within and without, the elements are connected and for more details visit ASHTAV thanks stacked in discrete neighbour- www.arcspace.com arcspace for all these photos hoods, as you may see by the different finishes, textures and colours. The whole edifice is moored in Amsterdam harbour. .

23 ASHTAV AGM Saturday 28th October 2006 Venue : Thame Barns Centre

Our venue

Vetus Tamen Vivet… …Thame Old But Still She Lives

OUR PROGRAMME:

12:00 Rendezvous Thame Barns Centre (drinks)

12:30 Finger buffet lunch, Our guest of honour is the Mayor of Thame

14:00 Welcome by the Mayor of Thame Thame: a thriving high street with its towsn hall Thame 14:15 Conservation Matters Michael Coupe, ASHTAV This ancient market town on the Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire Vice-president borders is rich in history. The town was established by the Bishop of Lincoln in the 13th century. Due to the local agricultural 15:00 ASHTAV AGM. community Thame has long hosted a thriving cattle market which still runs twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. During the Civil War the town changed hands several times. followed by Nowadays Thame is a thriving town of 11,000 inhabitants with a The Herbert Lane Legacy: great variety of shops and services available. The town is well a new beginning for connected to the motorway system with its own junction from the ASHTAV:open discussion. M40. There are frequent train services to and from London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill. Haddenham and Thame Parkway station is a short distance from the town centre. 15:45 Tea and scones ASHTAV AGM is being held in the newly refurbished Thame 16:30 Guided walk of Thame by Barns Centre, a joint venture between Thame Town and Thame the Thame Historical Society Parish Councils to provide a flexible venue for events.

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