Thursday
25
April
Riverside plans to go before councillors next week
17/10/2019 @ 08:36
A controversial plan to transform the former Radio Maldwyn site and surrounding area into a new recreational hub will go before a planning committee next week.
An online petition has been started by 40 businesses in Newtown pushing for a public meeting to discuss Open Newtown’s plans for £1.5 million “destination riverside recreational hub” at the former Radio Hafren building.
Open Newtown, a land trust set up to regenerate land on a 99 year lease from Powys County Council, has submitted new revised plans which see the seating numbers for the cafe at the site reduced from 178 seats to 25.
This followed complaints had been made by businesses that this would take customers away from the town centre.
The petition by a group called Keep Newtown High Streets OPEN asks for a public meeting to be held to “discuss the issues, research and options for an all-year round attraction for all ages, in a Riverside Venue.”
The group says: “Newtown town centre does not need to be jeopardised by replacing what is already available – Newtown needs regeneration as per the requirements of the proposed Welsh Government TRI (Targeted Regeneration Investment) programme i.e. complimentary to existing environments and financial sustainability.”
They fear that if the money runs out for Open Newtown then the residents would be paying for their projects with increased council tax precepts.
Open Newtown director, Adam Kinnerley, said: “The proposed riverside venue is planned to help open up and sustain the town’s green spaces for future generations, make full use of the planned new play park and give new access to cycling and canoeing opportunities for all.
“The building will be home to a new tourist information facility, the base for a programme of well-being workshops and a food cafe offering new opportunities for the whole of Newtown.
“Where specific concerns have been raised regarding the size of the cafe and its potential effect on similar businesses within the retail centre of the town, Open Newtown has listened and acknowledged these concerns with a new set of plans.”
In January this year, Open Newtown, received tenure of around 130 acres of land from Powys County Council to be held in a community land trust for 99 years.
The deal saw PCC hand over the lease to Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council who sub-contracted the land over to Open Newtown.
In 2018, Open Newtown received £1.1 million from the Big Lottery for the land transfer.
If successful – Open Newtown say that the venue could be open by summer 2021.
To find the petition visit, https://you.38degrees.org.uk and search for Newtown
An online petition has been started by 40 businesses in Newtown pushing for a public meeting to discuss Open Newtown’s plans for £1.5 million “destination riverside recreational hub” at the former Radio Hafren building.Open Newtown, a land trust set up to regenerate land on a 99 year lease from Powys County Council, has submitted new revised plans which see the seating numbers for the cafe at the site reduced from 178 seats to 25.
This followed complaints had been made by businesses that this would take customers away from the town centre.
The petition by a group called Keep Newtown High Streets OPEN asks for a public meeting to be held to “discuss the issues, research and options for an all-year round attraction for all ages, in a Riverside Venue.”
The group says: “Newtown town centre does not need to be jeopardised by replacing what is already available – Newtown needs regeneration as per the requirements of the proposed Welsh Government TRI (Targeted Regeneration Investment) programme i.e. complimentary to existing environments and financial sustainability.”
They fear that if the money runs out for Open Newtown then the residents would be paying for their projects with increased council tax precepts.
Open Newtown director, Adam Kinnerley, said: “The proposed riverside venue is planned to help open up and sustain the town’s green spaces for future generations, make full use of the planned new play park and give new access to cycling and canoeing opportunities for all.
“The building will be home to a new tourist information facility, the base for a programme of well-being workshops and a food cafe offering new opportunities for the whole of Newtown.
“Where specific concerns have been raised regarding the size of the cafe and its potential effect on similar businesses within the retail centre of the town, Open Newtown has listened and acknowledged these concerns with a new set of plans.”
In January this year, Open Newtown, received tenure of around 130 acres of land from Powys County Council to be held in a community land trust for 99 years.
The deal saw PCC hand over the lease to Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council who sub-contracted the land over to Open Newtown.
In 2018, Open Newtown received £1.1 million from the Big Lottery for the land transfer.
If successful – Open Newtown say that the venue could be open by summer 2021.
To find the petition visit, https://you.38degrees.org.uk and search for Newtown
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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