High Peak MP Jon Pearce says Capital & Centric development will bring ‘new homes, support the local economy, create attractive public spaces’ - despite public objections

The Buxton Advertiser questioned Mr Pearce on his stance on the development, that if approved will see more than 300 new apartments built in the town centre and the loss of car parking spaces.

Mr Pearce put a statement on his Facebook page before replying to our questions.

He said: “Walk from one end of Buxton to the other and you can see both the extraordinary potential of the town and some of the challenges we need to confront.

“You can take in the inspiration of the Opera House and the Crescent – two of the most remarkable landmarks in the country – before coming across the more dispiriting sight of empty shops and an ever-growing number of nail bars.

“That contrast is exactly why we need to be ambitious about Buxton’s future.”

Mr Pearce says Buxton is an’ incredible town with a proud history and unique heritage, but for too long its potential has been left unrealised’.

He said he believes these proposals present a ‘real opportunity to invest in the town’s future, helping Buxton grow and thrive while protecting the character and grandeur that make it so special’.

Mr Pearce said: “I have spoken to residents about the proposals at my surgeries, coffee mornings and on the doorstep and attended consultation meetings.

“There is widespread support for the need to redevelop the town. That was seen in the earlier consultations but now we are getting towards final proposals there is bound to be a whole range of differing opinions.

“I would encourage everyone to have their say and then the most important thing is that those voices are heard. “That is the reason for the planning process and the statutory consultation it involves.”

There have been some people in favour of the plans however this is a development that many people do not want - Waitrose has spoken out, as has Buxton Civic Association, Buxton Town Team and hundreds of residents have objected on the High Peak Borough Council planning application with 1,800 people signing a petition opposing the development.

Three councillors have even left the High Peak Labour Party and are now acting as independents because they oppose the regeneration scheme.

Residents say the plans have changed too much since the first consultations and are too big and too much for a small historic town.

Mr Pearce says he will however, ‘continue working with High Peak Borough Council, Capital&Centric, local residents and others across the town to make sure we get the right scheme for Buxton’.

He said: “There are real challenges we need to address. Buxton’s population is declining, particularly among younger people and working-age families, and we need to create more opportunities for people to live and stay in the town. That includes delivering genuinely affordable homes and affordable rented housing.

“But this development should be about much more than simply building homes.”

He says he wants to see a scheme that ‘strengthens Buxton’s position as one of Britain’s great spa towns’ and competing with places like Harrogate and Bath, attracting visitors, investment and new opportunities while ‘making the most of its extraordinary heritage’.

Speaking against the development on the online petition Buxton resident Jennifer said: “Buxton is a heritage town, and people visit to see the Victorian and Georgian architecture and our beautiful parks and landscaping. They do not come to visit to see a poorly designed town centre with no character, full of flats and eateries that will survive a few months before going out of business due to exorbitant leases and lack of parking and tourism.

“Our town should be built around residents, since it is we who keep shops and businesses open year round when tourists avoid the area due to weather conditions. We do not want or need huge buildings and the river ‘opening up’ - invest that money across the whole town.”

Another Buxton resident Alexandra said: “This plan does not achieve the original aim of revitalising Spring Gardens and bringing new uses to the town centre. It's just cramming in housing, retail and eateries with no consideration for existing residents or businesses.

“The buildings are too high, there's not enough parking and there's little consideration for the realities of disabled people.

“It doesn't reflect the town or heighten its character as a heritage town.

“Needs a total rethink with less focus on maximising profit.”

Defending the development Mr Pearce said: “This site could also provide an opportunity to create high-quality public spaces for local people and visitors to enjoy, and I would like to see serious consideration given to securing a permanent home for Buxton Museum and Art Gallery as part of the town’s future.

“Any major investment in Buxton should also support better connectivity. I have been campaigning to extend the Greater Manchester ticketing zone to Buxton, making travel more affordable and helping connect local people to jobs, education and opportunities across the region. I want to see Buxton benefit from improved public transport alongside any future development, which will also help to address the parking concerns.”

He added: “This investment will bring new homes, support the local economy, create attractive public spaces, help secure a future for important cultural institutions and give Buxton the opportunity to build on its strengths as one of the country’s most distinctive and historic spa towns. That's the outcome I am working with local people to achieve.”

Capital&Centric have said previously they want to ‘leave Buxton in a stronger position than we found it, preserving its unique character while helping it realise its enormous potential for future generations’.

What do you think of Mr Pearce’s comments? Email your thoughts about the development to [email protected]