It was exactly three years ago today – 20th November 2012 – that a fiery public meeting was held at Alleyne’s Academy on Stafford Borough Council’s plans for the development of Westbridge Park.
The meeting kick-started a debate that is still rumbling three years on.
In this article we’ve had a look back at our coverage to pick out the key moments. You can see them below in a timeline we’ve put together.
Three years on from that meeting, the issue is still burning strong and appears to now be coming to a head.
Contracts were recently exchanged with the developers for a proposed M&S Simply Food store at Westbridge Park to help fund £6 million of leisure improvements, including new play areas and a new leisure centre. Stafford Borough Council says a planning application is imminent. If planning approval is granted, the store will be sited on the land next to the leisure centre currently used for tennis courts.
Whichever side of the debate you’re on, when the food store planning application is submitted, you’ll be able to have your say. We’ll obviously keep you posted when the application is made and how you can get involved by submitting comments.
Here’s the timeline of the key moments in the debate as we’ve covered them over the last three years…
[timeline-express]
5 comments
Mike Osborne-Town
2 questions:
Which are the ugliest buildings in Stone – and the ones most in need of renewal? The sports centre and the scout and guide hut – and the tennis courts are little better.
Does Stone need a new sports centre? Yes! Let’s promote healthy exercise for people of all ages. The sports centre is well used and would be even more so if it had better facilities. (Are those who’re against the project non-users?) Stafford, Uttoxeter and Rugeley all have new sports centres. Stone deserves the same.
Pete Brassington
Does Stone need another food outlet ?is this another blow to Stone High Street which even now is quite pitiful. Read an article in Private Eye which came out around 2012 on this and follow the money and see what comes up .
Robert Jones
On 3rd November 2015 contracts were exchanged for a food store. I wonder whether readers worry about the lack of democracy here? A planning application has not been submitted so we still have not had a chance to put forward our point of view. I am not sure how it works but a planning application from Stafford Borough Council will be judged by Stafford Borough Council?
Jamie Summerfield
Hi Robert. I think the planning application will come from Marks & Spencer, not the borough council
Gareth Westwood
I think that there is a fundamental point that keeps being missed about the Westbridge park débâcle.
I don’t think a new super market in stone is required but if M&S want to build one then that’ up to them.
I agree that the facilities at Westbridge are in need of an overhaul.
The issue is that the council are asset stripping to pay for improvements to facilities which should have been budgeted for properly in the first place. It is unsustainable to keep selling off land to improve facilities. Land is finite, time is not. If you sell the land in exchange for time you loose.