A Walton resident has hit out at property consultancy Harris Lamb and a letter they recently sent to people living near Stone Rugby Club informing them of a second exhibition about development plans for the site.
Two major supermarkets have already expressed an interest in the Tilling Drive site and housing is also being considered. But Nick Tucker says the letter glosses over these facts.
Plans for new development at Stone Rugby Club will be on display again after criticism that an event last month was badly advertised.
Local people can find out more about possible future developments on the Tilling Drive site on Thursday 15th December. The exhibition will be open from 6.30pm to 9pm at Walton Community Centre in Whitemill Lane.
But Nick says the letter that’s been sent to about 600 households in Walton is “a masterpiece of disinformation”.
He said: “The wording of the letter makes it seem like this is a trivial matter and the letter will not attract many people to go along. In reality, what could happen is another supermarket or housing development in Walton, which is a huge issue. The first event was badly advertised and now this letter. It makes you wonder if they want anyone to go along.”
John Williams, Harris Lamb director, wrote the letter to local people. He said that residents’ views were very much welcome and needed.
He said: “We have run the exhibition over two nights to make sure that local residents have the opportunity to comment. We did send out 279 letters to local residents advising them of the first event on the 14th November and, from memory, around 600 letters have gone out for the new event.
“While I understand that some people will always come to these type of events with concerns and preconceived views, I hope that people will at least recognise that we are trying to encourage participation in these plans. The intention is certainly not to exclude people. Hopefully, the combination of letters to individual households, the local town council , as well as the local press, will give local residents every opportunity to attend should they decide to do so.”
Stone Rugby Club plans to relocate to Stone Hockey Club in Enson Lane. The rugby club has already started playing home matches at Enson Lane and wants to move to enable the club to expand over the next few years.
Stone Town Council heard in November that Tesco and Waitrose have both expressed an interest in building a store on the land. An Aldi supermarket opened near the site earlier this year and plans for 150 new houses on the neighbouring Bibby Sterilin site were also approved recently.
You can find out more about possible future developments on the Tilling Drive site on Thursday 15th December. The exhibition will be open from 6.30pm to 9pm at Walton Community Centre in Whitemill Lane.
3 comments
Michael Willis
Good points there David. An exhibition at a community centre just doesn’t cut it anymore whrn we have the internet and FaceBook etc. I’m sure A Bit of Stone would publish all the details if they were provided
David
If they are so keen for us to be informed and involved, an exhibition lasting less than 3 hours is pathetic.
Put it in the Library for a week?
Actually publish the plans in the press, instead of just advertising the exhibition?
Make a webpage?
There are plenty of options these days if you really want people involved. This is just a token gesture.
Makes me wonder why. (or am I just cynical?)
Robert J
Your Just cynical! The full plans were available to download from both the council website and Harris Lamb homepage for at least 3 months. Drawings, diagrams, master plans; the lot. The internet is a great tool for obtaining all information about redevelopment of sites – every council has a public ‘planning portal’ where residents can access anything from new supermarket plans to their next door neighbours kitchen extension.