An unwise way of spending £100,000

The ruling executive of Warwick District Council have voted to set aside up to £100,000 to assist Wilson Bowden promote its Clarendon Arcade development on and around the Chandos Street car park. Much of this money will be used to co-ordinate a revised Clarendon Arcade project and for legal advice on compulsory purchase orders.

Is this wise in the current economic climate? £100,000 spent on this means £100,000 not spent on other priorities:, appointing a senior planning officer to control WDC’s £5 million planning expenses, housing, refuse and litter collection, parks, leisure, ....

Many local people have serious doubts about the wisdom of building a huge shopping arcade (about four times the area of the popular Chandos Street car park) at a time when the high street is changing as a result of growing use of the internet. Shops are closing and whole chains are collapsing. The executive has refused to join the public debate. - Archie Pitts, Leam Terrace, Leamington.