'It takes away the town’s heritage and charm' More than 200 people turn out to oppose Buxton’s Capital&Centric development
More than 200 people opposing the current development plans for Buxton’s town Centre came for a photoshoot to show they were not giving up and want to fight to stop the plans going ahead.
Since the formal plans were submitted earlier in the summer residents have been objecting to the development of the town centre.
More than 550 people sent objections to High Peak Borough Council’s planning department, councillors have resigned and almost 2,000 people have signed a petition.
On Saturday, September 19 a photoshoot took place in the Pavilion Gardens to show the strength of feeling.
Organiser Ruby Moon said: “We had more than 200 people turn up. We had some late comers who struggled to find parking which reinforces the need for more parking in the town, not less.”
The £100m project is being funded by £6.6 million from the Government’s Future High Street Fund along with £4m of High Peak Borough Council Money and private developer investment.
The plans are due to be discussed by the council’s planning committee in the autumn and if approved would see 332 new apartments for rent as well as opening up the River Wye.
However Ruby said: “People don’t oppose all regeneration just what these plans have become.
“It’s too much for a small town like Buxton, it’s not needed and takes away the town’s heritage and charm.”
Explaining why she organised the photo shoot Ruby said: “I think a photo is a great visual without saying much.
“I wanted to bring people together not just have rumblings on social media but show the feeling of so many people.
“I hope that the people making the decisions see this along with the petition and the formal objections and realise this is not what the people of Buxton want.
“People are very concerned they might lose their jobs.
“They development is planned to take three years and if the Springs car park is the main base people may not be able to get into work.
“People at Next and New Look are saying they are worried along with a lot of other people as well.
“I hope this photo causes people to stop and think about the future of the town.”
Councillor Madeleine Hall for Corbar Ward, who is now standing as independent and was at the photoshoot, said: “Pressure is building for a rethink of plans which are now overgrown. Let’s keep it up.”
A spokesperson for Capital&Centric said: “Throughout the project we’ve held a number of public consultations, beginning long before any proposals were drawn up. “We were genuinely overwhelmed by the level of interest, the turnout and the quality of the feedback.
“Many of the ideas and concerns raised by local people have directly influenced the masterplan and helped shape the proposals you see today.
“It’s important to be clear that our plans do not involve the demolition of any listed or conservation buildings, quite the contrary, we’re enhancing and restoring them for public use.
“New development is focused on existing surface car parks and later, on buildings that make little contribution to Buxton’s architectural heritage.
“Our aim is to protect what makes Buxton special while creating new homes, public spaces and investment that will help secure its future.”