Aylestone Voice

I wasn't nitpicking. I don't wear a helmet when cycling and hope we never have a legal requirement to so do.

Am waiting for the cries of complaint that the image of the cyclist does not have a helmet on!

Has there been any independent study which concludes that the existing fire station cannot be upgraded? Or is it that they can have money for a new building but not to repair the existing building? I suspect that any fire service report was just written so as to justify the new build option because that was where the money was.

As to Bath Street. Is it right to set aside the legal duty to preserve or enhance the Conservation Area just so that a new fire station can be built. Most on here would answer "no". With the most rose tinted spectacles on could anyone in their right mind conclude that the building proposed was of any architectural quality at all? The "designer" took no account of the site context nor had any thought to it being in a conservation area. Also the site was barely big enough given that the design almost filled it.

The answer to their problems is to either upgrade the existing fire station or to find a site where they can build a bland functional shed but which also has a better access to the road network.

Actually I think perhaps that credit must go to the planning officers, and possibly some Councillors (who I don't know?). I am sure that despite the support from the Cabinet in terms of disposal of the site the Fire Service were advised by the professional officers early on that the scheme was rubbish. Of course the public response reinforced that. It would have been interesting to know what the planning officer would have recommended.

Also the Fire Service must have got a hint that the outcome at Planning Committee would not be favourable whatever the recommendation may have been. So somewhere in the background Councillors were standing up. If the deal had been done, so to speak, why would the Fire Service withdraw the application?

All those conspiracy theorists on here talking about done deals may perhaps reflect, as it seems clear that the Council's planning service does operate professionally and is not unduly influenced by the Cabinet.

Nevertheless a good outcome for the townscape of the city

?

It is interesting?

Who at the Council tipped the club off that they would be visiting?

Why did the Council not wait until, let's say, today when they would all be away at St Neots and entry would have not been resisted?

Not much point really - Jesse is not on the Planning Committee and it will be them making the decision.

Well you only have to google it - there is a website and facebook page

If the Council do repossess the ground and HUFC go out of business then presumably those fans keen enough can set up their new club.

Could a new club in a league somewhere about West Midlands Alliance justify a tenancy of Edgar Street?

Should not council tax payers want the Council to get the best financial return on their property? If so would not the best value come from the redevelopment of the whole site for housing? The new club could play somewhere else - perhaps ground share with Westfields?

The Council could use the money generated to benefit the whole community not just the relative few who still follow the club

Basically what you see in this is that certain Council officers are so fixated by applying rules and regulations without any flexibility (even when the Police are happy). They fail to see that through their actions they are not putting people off setting up business in the city.

Hopefully as in the case of other requests the Councillors on the Regulatory Committee will make the right decision

A bus park and ride will only ever work when there is a dedicated bus lane and there does not seem to be space for that. People will not park their car and then get on a bus to sit in the same queue of traffic.

What I am suggesting is that a train station at Rotherwas does give the opportunity to get into the city centre easily - and at that time to new connection, as a result of the link road from the station to the city centre will also be complete. I agree that it would not be odf much use to those in Newton Farm/Belmont - why would it? They can walk or use Great Western Way.

One of the problems is that people are too lazy to get out of their cars

It is excellent so long as it does not harm the cycleway.

You will be able to drive from the south (Ross etc.) up the access  road, park and catch a train into the city

Be grateful for the silence.

Come next April/May when they will want our votes they will be all over here like a rash promising that all our problems will be solved by an "X" in a box next to their name

Cambo

If you are going to speak that is good as you know a great deal about it. As for me whilst I would be happy to speak I feel that due to my past dealings with the Planning Committee I perhaps would not the best reaction from them.

Presumably we will be able to get an indication of the Committee date from the case officer and if so be prepared for the report to be published which is one week before the meeting, and at which time the invites for speaking are sent.

Once those are out it is important to get back to  them asap to register. We will then know who else wants to speak and discuss who gets the opportunity. Of course if you register first then the decision is in your hands. If there are a number we can request the Chairman of the Committee to extend the time from 3 minutes.

All that said if you want any help putting a three minute speech together I am happy to meet up if that helps.

It will have to be one of the public objectors

Neither Sarah Lowe (staff) nor English Heritage are eligible

 We are perhaps reaching the end game.

I doubt even in the face of the criticism of the scheme that they will withdraw the planning application.

So at some point the application will go to Planning Committee - did I see November mentioned? Who knows what the recommendation by the Officer will be.

All of the members of the Planning Committee can be lobbied

Anyway when it does all those who objected within the timescale will be given the opportunity to speak at the meeting. But there will only be 3 minutes - not for each person but 3 minutes for all the objectors. So if more than one wants to speak then someone or many will be disappointed. What needs to happen is a bit of co-ordination so that a person best able to make the case against can use the three minutes to the best advantage. They will need to cover the main issues and not I suggest focus on the politics of it all. It is the wrong application - the loss of an important building and the replacement is of no merit and harms the city centre.

Spend a pound!

If only we had somewhere to spend a penny!!!

The planning application is at Planning Committee this Wednesday

New shops etc.

Union Street - another take away (subject to planning application)

Commercial Street - amusement centre (ditto)

Bewell Street - electronic ciggie shop

Commercial Street (old Fit shop) - card shop

OLM - new jewellery shop

It really is sad that the Council's own Officers are so fixated with what is a redundant policy that they cannot take a flexible approach. Are they not able to think for themselves (rhetorical!). The Police are happy

Dear Licensing Officer - For goodness wake up!!

And also perhaps the city with the highest number of professional complainers 

Still waiting for the responses from the Council's Conservation Officer and Highway Engineer

The consultation response on the Council's website are gradually increasing. I am looking forward to see the response of the Council's Conservation/Historic Buildings Officer. I think that will give us a view as to whether any "fix" is being applied by management.

There is not much in the replies from Councillors that is surprising. Those on the Planning Committee are properly reserving their opinion until they have a report at the meeting. Those not on it are really washing their hands because they really cannot influence the decision.

If planning permission is granted then there would still be a slim chance to scupper it by the Council backing out of the deal which would be a Cabinet decision

I have finally seen Bobby in action!

To be fair to the Chairman - the event was aimed at a Q & A on the future development of the city and I can see why he ruled Bobby out of order.