There is a plan B for Clarendon site

Firstly the statement that there is no ‘plan B’. The council is in a unique position of owning a major site in the town centre with complete freedom as to what activity should take place on it. I would make the following suggestions Firstly, that the site be used for town centre housing with a large affordable housing element. Secondly, that it be left alone and continue to be used as a popular surface car park.

Thirdly that it be used for a high quality hotel to attract visitors to the town. Fourthly, that it be used for a bus station moving all the traffic congestion from the Upper Parade.

Clearly, with the council’s dual and conflicting interests as planning authority and landowner, the matter should be put before an independent government inspector at a public inquiry when the justification for the amount of retail proposed can be put forward, challenged and alternative uses considered.

My second point relates to the statement that the council has had 40 enquiries in a year for retail in the town centre or on this site. How convenient that this is exactly the same as the number of units proposed in the development. However, everyone knows that not all initial enquiries turn into firm lettings and I would suspect that less than 10 per cent would do so in this case. This confirms my fear that this development is aimed at drawing shops from other parts of the town centre to its considerable detriment and the scheme needs much more stringent analysis and consideration than it appears to have received. - Geoff Wilson, Arlington Mews, Leamington.