WaterSide - A Lost Opportunity
At last after many false dawns we have some indication as to what Aylesbury Vale District Council's plans are for the town centre.
The so called Waterside development, I say so called because the "water" part of the development seems to have been forgotten.
Where we once had a some semblance of an overall scheme we now have a mish mash of elements. Lets get a few things out of the way; I do agree that the town needs the shopping facilities. I speak as someone who develops e-commerce sites, but there is still a need for modern shopping facilites to keep a town centre vibrant.
Also I have no problem with whoever develops the site. Warner Estates are a reputable company with a stake in Aylesbury already with their Hale Leys mall.
The problem is a fairly straight forward, Aylesbury needs a modern forward looking vision that take this historic opportunity to redevelop the town fit for the next generation.
What has been proposed is dreary and turns an important part of the town in to a concrete alleyway.
Of course, design is in the eye of the beholder, but I have yet to come across anyone who likes this scheme. It creates a sterile street scene with tall blank walls on both sides enclosing the street. The architect seemd excited by the fact that he was proposing tall flint walls. I remember being grazed by flint walls in the old Friars Square and that was built in 60's!
The affect on the residents of Highbridge Walk seems to have been totally discounted. How can it be it correct to build a tall block on one side of the walk when Dayla have been proposing the same thing on the other side of Highbridge Walk and have been refused planning permission?
What this proposal shows is a total lack of vision. The developers have a job to do, but the council has job to do as well and that is to project a vision or at least a strategic thought as to what should be built and how it should look.
Why didn't it redevelop the whole of Exchange Street? It says it is not a landholding council, but when it is convenient for them they have no hesitation in buying as shown when they purchased the Ship pub and the old Bucks Herald offices.
As to the golden opportunity of encompassing the Canal basin, well that seems to have been forgotten. It will now be hidden behind a the theatre and the proposed supermarket. So rather as before, instead of a new development enhancing the town it diminishes what we already have.
I hope these proposals galvanises the people of Aylesbury to get involved; write, email or 'phone your councilors, tell them what you think otherwise we will end up with a right royal mess and you will have no excuses!!
Published Date:
08/08/2007
Modified Date:
08/08/2007
No More Mr Mayor
My how fast a year passes by. The hoary old cliches of "..it seems like yesterday.." was never more true. I complete my year as Mayor this Friday, and although my original plan was to only be Mayor for year, any choice in the matter was taken away when I lost my seat on the Town Council.
As I have previously promised I will not use this blog as political sounding board so analysis of the local elections can be had elsewhere, but of course I was very disappointed to lose. Aylesbury is going to go through huge changes in the next few years with important decisions as to how Aylesbury is going to look for a generation, so I am very sorry not be more closely involved, but that is the nature of politics.
I have throughly enjoyed my year as Mayor. I have lived in Aylesbury all my life but have seen activities and parts of Aylesbury that I didn't know existed.
The one thing that has amazed me is the amount of astounding voluntary work that goes on. People giving freely of their time, effort and money to do lots of things for other people. I am convinced that all government authorities, whatever they are, local government, health services etc, should be much more open and helpful of these groups and individuals. It was an honour to support as Mayor.
Me - well I can go and spend more time with my young family and off course focus on developing my own business Engage Technologies.
I will continue the blog and comment on local issues so see you next time.
Published Date:
14/05/2007
Modified Date:
14/05/2007
When Terror Hits Home
The news is currently full of horrendous and tragic events; innocent people being killed and injured by bombs, shootings etc. Like most people, I murmer a little thankful prayer, and move on. Until a few weeks ago.
A very good friend of mine and of Aylesbury, was recently killed by a suicide bomber in the course of his duties. He was doing his job as a police officer in Peshawar Pakistan. He was one of those rare people in that he was selfless, always thinking of others and how he could help.
He was Malik Saad. He visited Aylesbury a number of times. He took part in the Town Council's round table discussion after the July 7th 2005 incidents and visited Thames Valley Police.
I am therefore very pleased that the council decided last week to send something in remembrance to his family. It is a small gesture, but it just shows to the family who have lost the most, that he was held in high regard in places that must seem faraway places as Aylesbury.
Published Date:
19/02/2007
Modified Date:
19/02/2007
Merry Christmas Everyone
Every year it's the same story around this time about Christmas being banned by the "politically correct" brigade. This story seems to have replaced the perennial favourite of how "commercial" Christmas has become.
The story has particularly taken off in America through the reporting by the Fox news network, who's strap line of "fair and balanced" is surely ironic. The network has repeatedly reported "stories" of instances where Christmas has been banned, stories that have subsequently been found not to exist.
Here we have the added ingredient of apparently being told it's so as not to upset people of other faiths. Again invariably untrue, most other faiths have no problem with Christmas being widely and loudly celebrated. In this country we have the wisdom now to accept people of all faiths and let them celebrate their Holy days and I as a Muslim have yet to come across a fellow Muslim or Hindu etc who has moaned about Christmas.
So let us all celebrate this joyous time together, no matter what faith we are and keep the real tenets of Christmas alive of, praying for peace, thinking about how we can help people in greater need than ourselves no matter in what small way the help is, and spending precious time with our families.
Merry Christmas
Published Date:
20/12/2006
Modified Date:
20/12/2006
Health Cuts
When is a health cut not a cut? When Patricia Hewitt or the government says so, apparently.
I chaired a public meeting last night in my role as Mayor. It was well attended and what was striking was the level of concern at the direction health provision is taking in this area.
We have the example of services being withdrawn or taken away altogether. We were told about surgeries being closed and the number of community nurses being reduced. The public at the meeting were also sounding concerned about the direction of some of the changes - privatisation if you will. Now I have stated in my first blog that I will not use this as a political mouthpiece, but the concern of seeing whole parts of the health service being "privatised" seem to be from across the political spectrum.
I have worked most of my life in the private sector so you will not hear me arguing in a dogmatic way for private sector vs public sector, but what is starting to worry people is the question of governance and accountability.
As someone said last night who is the PCT and how do we get to them?
More than anything local people have to start making themselves heard, the Bucks Herald campaign is a good start, but someone from the audience last night said she was disappointed that "only" 2,000 people have signed it.
We have to ensure that the PCT makes decisions that take the community in to account. To give an example, whereas before most services were in our local hospital, Stoke Mandeville, now you have to travel all over the area for treatment. I recently had a knee operation in Reading and another operation in Oxford. That may be efficient for the PCT but for me it meant was in one instance my brother taking the day off to transport me and in the other, one brother tranporting me there and another picking me up. With no-one being able to visit me because of the distance.
These costs are bourne by us but what about the inconvenience and trouble not to mention the added traffic on the roads. I shudder to think what the additional transport costs are for the trusts.
I know the PCT have a tough job, what with deficits and government targets, but it is up us local people to make them and the goverment aware that we are not happy.
A lot of the problems are are actually created by the government; who sets the rules for the PCT's, who imposes additional costs like for example the IT progamme, who commands the PCT's to spend a certain amount on private providers not caring whether there are more "efficient" or more expensive, why the government of course.
At the danger of sounding tedious and obvious, get involved before it is to late so that when it is your turn to use the health service it is still there.
Published Date:
22/09/2006
Modified Date:
22/09/2006
Long Hot Summer
It seems that our hot summer is nearly over. It amazes me how the summer surprises everyone. Granted this was a record year with one day being the hottest since 1911, even so it just shows how ill prepared we are for the weather in this country.
It doesn't seem to matter whether it is winter or summer. One winter I was waiting for a friend to arrive from Sweden. There had been snow, a few inches which meant of course the country ground to a halt. Our friend duly arrived in Dover but was then stranded, she telephoned in tears, we tried to explain that it had been snowing, "...snowing this isn't snow we get six inches on a good day and we carry on working".
This summer, everyone was melting, me more than most as I was attending some events as Mayor so was wearing a suit. I convinced myself that it was a state of mind and that seemed to help, although my clothes were soaked!
The heat is said by some to be a part of the global warming problem, so for a keen environmentalist it poses a problem of how to keep cool or even just comfortable. If we use aircon or electric fans that contributes to the problem.
The answer has to be that new buildings have to be designed with these factors in mind. Buildings with good circulation and a good ability to exchange heat in the summer and keep warm in the winter.
The other choice is the easy one of just plastering over the problem by buying lots of air conditioners and adding to global warming.
Published Date:
02/08/2006
Modified Date:
02/08/2006
World Cup Fever
Sadly or happily depending on your point of view, the World Cup is upon us. Great for those of us who love watching this festival of football. Watching the big teams as well as some newcomers hopefully surprising us by beating the usual favourites.
I am football fan but not a fanatic in that I don't support a particular club team, the nearest I came to that is nearly supporting Arsenal because for a number of years I lived near the ground and then worked near Highbury so I got to see them a few times. This was before they became the modern super team that they have developed in to under the "Professor" - Mr Wenger.
My kids hate me as they all try to persuade that "their" team is the one I should swear my loyalty to, however at least while the World Cup is on my life is made easier because we all support England. Having said that my father typically for him always supports the under dog in any match. He says it's beause they need the win more.
I like the fact that there are flags all over the place, and everyone seems to have the England flag festooned in the most unlikely of places. I was picking up my daughter and saw that a white BMW was painted with a red cross, quite what happens to that car afterwards I don't know. Quite a few people don't like this manifestation of national fervour, but I think it's great to see people of different ages, different colours, different origins, all coming together and supporting the English football team.
So come on Eng- ger- land!!
Published Date:
14/06/2006
Modified Date:
14/06/2006
Sadness at the Death of David Truen
I would like to add my condolences at the death of a true man of Aylesbury, David Truen. Many was a day I would see him wandering around Aylesbury, saying hello to everybody and willing to engage in a conversation. I have known David a long time and frequently met him at various meetings and receptions. Invariably he would provide the best company to keep and I amongst many others will miss him.
My thoughts are with his family and friends who I am sure will miss his ready smile and good humour.
Published Date:
12/06/2006
Modified Date:
12/06/2006