Old Colwyn East Residents Association
Dear all
The Old Colwyn (SPECIAL REGENERATION AREA) improvement debate
For your consideration for the forthcoming debate. It is organised by Councillors Brian Cossey, Cheryl Carlisle and Glyn Jones at our next meeting on WEDNESDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2009.
The List of 14 proposed improvements which was handed out by Councillors Cossey and Carlisle has been debated by an unknown (to us) committee of residents and business persons since March 2009.
This list can be found on our website at the bottom of the October minutes at this link.
http://www.oldcolwyneast.co.uk/page114a.html
This committee we are told was formed following four public meetings involving members of the business community and residents.
We are told that for seven months this group has debated regularly and drawn together this list; presumably there is a reason for the apparent secret nature of their work.
During all that time despite monthly "briefings" by our County Councillors at our residents' meetings during which they have not mentioned any of this, we have not had any feedback and unfortunately it has had the effect of stifling any debate on the contents of the list.
Bearing in mind that the list states categorically that these ideas have come from public
meetings of the business community and local residents of Old Colwyn, it would have been a simple matter to have put the thoughts of the group to the Old Colwyn East Residents' Association. If there was a need for secrecy, then it could have been restricted to the Old Colwyn East residents committee in the first instance.
Our association has been left out of the feedback loop even though our secretary gave apologies because he could not attend the first meeting. The Association committee put forward a list of ideas for the improvement of Old Colwyn to be included in the public meeting which was reported to our residents immediately.
See our list at http://www.oldcolwyneast.co.uk/page105.html
The group of persons chaired by Mr Paul Marl and no doubt having input from our councillors has debated for seven months and we have been given notice that it is to be discussed at our next meeting without our association having time to talk about it first.
We are also now told that time is of the essence, the bids have to be in very soon and the money has to be allocated by March 2010.
This is is a classic ambush situation.
We have a list and once a list is formulated by a group of persons it is difficult to move away from that but we must open the debate to encompass other issues.
Many of the ideas are supportable such as Victorian shop fronts, there is however an issue of protective security blinds / shutters which is a very emotive issue in the village. Some shops have erected them to to protect their property after multiple attacks, having their windows smashed.
These shutters have been fiercely opposed by the Planning Department in the Conservation Area but there is presently a moratorium on the issue; that would obviously change if Victorian frontages were to be introduced. The plan should also take security blinds into the
equation and help business to cope with that issue.
Some ideas however are Council responsibility; resurfacing Cefn Road, providing concrete bases for recycling pods? Did they have those in Victorian times?
The idea of Golden Hellos for new business from public funding when some of our existing shops are struggling is possibly questionable also.
We have asked repeatedly for household and business bins beside the old M&K premises to be kept tidily. This has been ignored. The billboard nearby is huge and may be out of keeping with a Victorian theme. If it was made smaller and swung around parallel to the road, the bins could possibly be sited behind it.
There is a lot of signage spoken about in the document. All the railings and ironwork will have to be upkept when necessary otherwise it can become tired looking as has happened to the blue metal seating areas in Rhyl town centre. We do tend to get criminal damage in Old Colwyn at times, graffiti, damage to bus shelters etc and you cannot change culture as you can change street furniture.
That issue requires vigilance, the police tell us that they have limited resources, we should be careful to ensure that CCTV is consulted about the effect that the frontages would have on coverage by cameras.
Councillor Cossey talked specifically about the "Community Hub" (listed number 1) being a flagship of this bid together with the Victorian shop fronts . The old Church House building has been chosen for this even though it is a Grade two listed building.
If there is community approval to this aspect this may sway the argument for de-
We were told that the Red Cross building and the Community Centre in Church Walks could be sold off to finance the Community Hub. Why not refurbish the Red Cross Building as part of the project.
The aspect which will no doubt be thrown in, to support the idea of a Community Hub is the creation of local jobs.
There are other points to consider in this argument however; we have a number of premises around Old Colwyn which have been renovated / built at public expense.
The Church of Sure Hope (Interchange)
The United Reform Church in the Park (MASE building) now no longer operating but still able to be used.
The Millenium suite at the Methodist Church, to name but three and there are more.
These premises obtained funding based on business plans which require ongoing revenue to fund them. That entails getting groups of people into the premises who pay money.
With different buildings being used for different activities it spreads the load, the revenue and the traffic both on foot and in vehicles. It also gives choice and competition.
Our own residents association for example uses the Methodist Church room but Councillor Cossey spoke of residents' associations using the new building although that is not written in the list. That would take revenue away from the Methodist Church hall.
The idea that for instance the Scouts would use the new building is questionable. They own the land on which the Scout hut is built and are under the impression that Councillors are going to help organise a committee to build a new hut on the land.
The Scouts use their present hut in Beach Road 5 nights a week. It would be impracticable for them to fit present activities into the timetable of such a proposed premises alongside youth clubs and the like. But they have been entered into the letter as a support to the argument. It is therefore possible that they have not been consulted either.
It is necessary in all of these type of funding bids to prove a need above all other aspects of the bid. In examining the need issue we should look at present and proposed activities and ask why they are not being administered in the buildings
that are now available. We have a youth club in the Red Cross centre. What is wrong with upgrading that building instead of selling it off.
There is much to commend the demolition of the Church House because of its condition. There is also much to commend the idea of a soft play centre being built there.
Old Colwyn has experience of this type of use and the parking problems that may ensue but it is a very popular activity especially at certain times.
Our Association has campaigned for double yellow lines in Cliff Road for a long time as increased traffic parking causes difficulty for large vehicles such as emergency and utility vehicles.
It is noted that in the last week or so the only objection to the lines has been withdrawn so that should go ahead we are told.
Also the Estate Agent recently told us that there are two parties interested in acquiring the Church House. One wants to use it as a dental surgery and the other unknown bidder wants to bulldoze the building. It is possible from the terminology he used that the second group may be the committee that has been working on this list.
There are possible problems with a multi purpose premises in Cliff Road of the type described as we are aware that there has been some trouble outside the MASE and also outside the youth club in the Red Cross Centre. We already have public order problems in Cliff Road and Cefn Road area at times and the proposed complex is likely to upset the balance of activity in the village.
With everything concentrated in one small area it would be a huge burden for local people.
As previously stated, the police have limited resources. It is noted that the additional CCTV camera (at the corner of Cefn Road, item 2 in the list) would not properly cover the proposed Community Hub.
Concentrating a large number of activities, even if it were possible will no doubt adversely affect the public order situation in a residential area.
At our residents meeting on 14th October we had a representation from a member of the Min y Don Bowling Club who heard the announcement. The club pavilion in Min y Don Park is set for demolition with no plans to rebuild. Why not include bowling in the Victorian theme; National Bowling Associations were established in the late 1800"s.
This sparks a new set of ideas for regeneration. Our people, young and older welcome outdoor activity, why not make this part of the theme?
The multi use games area (MUGA) is in constant use by young people in Min y Don Park .
An upgraded childrens activity area would also be an advantage.
Colwyn had the chance to have a cycle route in Eirias Park but this was opposed by the Council and we lost it to Rhyl.
It is interesting to read the Old Colwyn Conservation Area Planning Appraisal in addition to the proposals at the following link
http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/322/Old_Colwyn_CAA_ENGLISH_72dpi.pdf
This gives some ideas on how the Council Planning Department views the issues included in the list being debated.
The ideas contained in this email are not exhaustive and I hope that people will come to the debate with their own proposals or alternatively contact any member of the Old Colwyn East Committee or the Councillors concerned, with their views.
Yours sincerely
David Curtis
secretary
