Cllr Andy Maric

Dear readers,

I am pleased to inform you that Tesco has withdrawn its application to build a store on the old Aston Martin Lagonda site in Newport Pagnell. Milton Keynes Council officers recommended its refusal in their report and the Development Control Committee was to decide its outcome on Thursday, which will now not go ahead.

Its a great success and proves that what we have been campaigning on and about is not just hot air, it has heavy substance behind it and I am glad MKC have been effective in including these aspects in their report.

As the title says we have won the battle but not the war. This is by no means a complete surrender by Tesco, more of a tactical withdrawal to address the points for refusal in the report and more than likely re-submit at a later date, if they believe they can get around the reasons for its recommended refusal.

Nevertheless it is great news for the town and the thousands of people who signed petitions and wrote letters registering their objections. The Tesno group (which I Vice Chair of) has clearly played a part in raising the profile of the application and driving the campaign.

Please find attached the officers report which justifies why it should have been refused. Click on the link below to access the document.

Tesco Application Report July 2009

High Noon for Tesco!

The Tesco application for Newport Pagnell will be heard at the end of July 2009! After much controversy over the application’s Pros and Cons the Development Control Committee for Milton Keynes Council will hear MKC Planning officer’s report and what their recommendation for the application is. The Committee will then discuss this and democratically vote on it. If any Councillor has been involved directly with anything relating to this application they will be dis-barred from taking part.

After the very strong response from supporters and also those in opposition to this application in Newport Pagnell, I expect there to be a large turn out at this public meeting which starts at 19:00 on the dot, from both sides. As said the meeting is public so anyone can attend however the contents of discussions between Councillors on the committee are in some ways formal and very little participation is to come from the local public unless the Chairman asks for it. It is vital you turn up and attend this application hearing which is dedicated specifically to the Tesco application for Newport Pagnell.

Residents in opposition have not been alone in trying to ’save our high street’, the Liberal Democrats and the local MP’s office staff have supported the voluntary group of residents, it shows that regardless of colour, creed, background or voting habits, residents and 2 political parties have got involved in the opposition to Tesco building in Newport Pagnell having input in the TESNO’s group meetings and events, albeit one political party (Lib Dems) more than the other!

Once the committee have discussed the factual aspects of this application it will then go to the vote to be decided. Depending on the outcome Tesco have the right to appeal the decision if they are refused however the decision is not made locally and goes back to Tesco’s board committee to decide if they should appeal or not which can take quite a while. If they appeal it will be to the Independant Planning inspector, so it can be quite a lengthy process.

To conclude the Development Control Committee is being held at Lovat Hall in Newport Pagnell due to the Council Chamber undergoing some much needed refurbishment. The date of this is Thursday 30th July 2009 and the committee starts at 7pm sharp and request all members of the public to try their best in arriving no later than 6:45/6:50pm.

See you at the Development Control Committee on the 30th!

Inspecting Cycle Route Signs

After engaging with Milton Keynes Council the Newport Pagnell Councillors and Network team have been successful in getting clear and informative cycle signs across the Town on all strategic points for the cyclist!

It’s great to see the current administration supporting such developments and investing in new, clear, effective and colourful signage that can only help encourage people cycling through Newport Pagnell and/or to work.

As many of the current residents know the old ‘Red-way signs’ were in need of replacement as they were getting slightly outdated and we were in need of larger signs that can actually be read from some distance rather than using a microscope! Nevertheless its great news to see such developments happening under a Lib Dem administration and unlike some other parties do not take the green option, information to the public and such simple needs for granted!

We are aware that some of the signs are not facing the correct way! This is likely due to young urban explorers turning them around in an expression of joy! Either way please do get in touch with me by dropping me an email informing me of any signs you may have spotted on your journeys!

Comments and any suggestions for further improvements are always welcome so please don’t hesitate to have your say!

Two sides to the Tesco application

Every coin has two sides and two very different stories. It is the same with the Tesco Application in Newport Pagnell. As a member of the Liberal Democrats it is in my nature to listen to both sides of the argument and take into account what is said from each.

I would like to state that there are strong arguments both For and Against the build that is being proposed on the old Aston Martin Lagonda site and personally can relate to the group of people who are backing the application. A Tesco user myself, I totally agree in principle that the convenience of a Tesco in Newport Pagnell would be absolutely great, after being made redundant and just starting to learn to drive due to a medical condition, a Tesco’s store in Newport Pagnell would be great for me personally, on those grounds.

What I am opposed to and have concerns with is not Tesco itself or any of its products, infact its very simple… The long term repercussions on the High Street, surrounding houses, schools and roads. Just to elaborate on those points a little when I say the determination ‘long term’, I am specifically referring to three, four or even five years down the line when we are going to feel the harsh reality of having a large Tesco in Newport Pagnell.

Firstly it will be the direct effects on jobs and livelihoods in the town centre, from the bakers, butchers, grocers and news agents all the way to the farmers market that is held on Market Hill. These will be the first business’ that will feel Tesco’s claw and be directly affected. So whats next for the High Street? Well the rest of the shops in the High Street will be indirectly affected; they rely on the ‘hustle and bustle’ of other business’ and consumers use of the High Street. Without the core shops in the High Street by losing trade to Tesco, there will simply not be enough people walking up and down the High Street to keep a sustainable business and livelihood running. The type of business’ that would be affected range from hairdressers and florists to restaurants, pubs, and furniture stores and more. Some of the business’ would just survive the initial repercussions in a few years time however in the long run, they will be driven out of business just the same as the Town Centre eventually dwindles away back into empty shops and more charity shops than you can remember!

Secondly its the surrounding houses and residents, Tesco will not only be operating a large delivery network of 13metre long HGVs in and out multiple times a day but also have applied for an Ancillary site, details of it I don’t directly know of as yet, either way this is going to be a few yards from peoples garden fence’s! Please bear in mind I have not gone into detail in regards to the light, noise and vehicle pollution this site will create, it really is a all in one package!

Thirdly this store will not only have severe repercussions on business’ and residents way of life but will increase massive amounts of corporate and public traffic too and from the location, this is not only dangerous to residents and cars through the destruction the HGVs and increased traffic will do to the fairly narrow High Street and Roads and but its also dangerous for the children who use the local school and nurseries when crossing them. The roads can’t be expanded due to the close proximity of houses but neither can the pedestrian crossings, they would simply just back log the traffic all the way from one end of Newport, to the other.

The final point I would like to make is that once Tesco are in, they cannot be pushed out. Simple business logic dictates that as the business grows, competition diminishes then its time for expansion. And that my readers is what will happen. Build > Trade > Expand. The simple reality and cycle of the business style Tesco will be using. Think about the longer term implications it will have because believe me, Tesco certainly are!

If you wish to express your views, write a letter to:

Alan Mills
Milton Keynes Council Planning Dept.
Saxon Gate, MK93EJ

Or email: alan.mills@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Please ensure you use this reference in your correspondence as either your subject or title: Ouline Planning Application for a Tesco Store and Ancillary Works at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, Tickford St, Newport Pagnell, MK16 9AN Reference no: 09/00530/OUT

No to a Tesco Town!

After a great turn out on Tuesday 16th April 2009 at The Swan Revived Hotel (Thank you to the local Hotel Manager Mark Bryant for the room), from the residents wanting to take further action on this campaign and please see published in this article the minutes of that meeting.

To help you, the local residents of Newport Pagnell, I have attached the Aston Martin Constraints Brief which was published by MK Council, refer to page 26 “Town Centre and Shopping”. I have also attached a amusing Tesco image and poster that you are able to use at your disposal, whether they are to be used as posters or simply amusement, I hope they can be of some help.

Please also see attached the Milton Keynes Council Local Plan, refer to pages 162 and 163 for the TC7-TC9 Policies which this application clearly violates!

The group have arranged another meeting which is to be held tonight at the Portfields Community Centre, Newport Pagnell, between 19:30 and 21:30 to come back from the previous actions and take a further step in opposing Tesco!

Further updates will follow as and when!

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• Milton Keynes Council Local Plan: local_plan_part_13

• Milton Keynes Council Aston Martin Constraints Brief: aston_martin_constraints_brief

• Minutes from meeting (14th April 2009): tesco-opposition-minutes-14th-april

• Amusing Tesco Poster: space-invaders-poster

• Amusing Tesco Image:

Image

Local Residents turn out in mass to express their views to the Town Council.  Newport Pagnell residents stood firm against the planning application expressing their dissatisfaction and valid concerns with the planning application.

As you will be able to see from the images below, the seats had to be removed and residents were even standing outside in the garden area of the Portfields community centre, the turn out was outstanding, thank you to everyone who took the time to turn up and voice your opinions.

Ian Carmen (Chair of the meeting) took a poll on how many residents were opposed to those in favour. As you can see from the images it was impossible to get an accurate figure however after counting out the remaining leaflets that were handed out by Andrew Maric at the start we estimate around 250 people opposed to only a mere 2 in favour.

We hope Milton Keynes Council officers in the planning department recognise this turn out and poll.

After the meeting Andrew Maric and local campaigner Ryan Pink asked residents to sign up if they were interested in taking further action by using their expertise to help oppose this build. A lot signed up and a further meeting is being held on Tuesday 14th April 2009 to discuss the best possible direction for the group.

This website will be updated with latest developments and information once it is received and also how you can get involved!

Keep out Tesco!

After a brief insight into the 15,000 Sq. Metre Tesco planning application that has been submitted to Milton Keynes Council, local campaigner Andrew Maric vows to defend the High Street of Newport Pagnell!  Tesco first wrote to residents in the immediate area on the 18th March 2009 outlining their proposals.  Tesco then invited those residents and held a ‘information session’ at The Cannon Public House on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th March 2009. Not that the landlord had any idea it would be Tesco using the room, Tesco used their discretion and decided it would be best not to inform him, so signed up under their consultancy companies name.

Many residents took the time to talk with the representatives that Tesco had sent on their behalf as they did not actually work directly for Tesco, which was a disappointment. Either way the representatives tried their best to appease the people who attended using different tactics including some of the following:

• Tesco will create “Jobs for local people” – RUBBISH – It is against the law to give priority to people because they will have a Newport Pagnell postcode!
• Tesco will create 157 full and part time jobs – RUBBISH – Tesco’s will not only wipe out more jobs than they could possibly create but they will destroy business’ and livelihoods!
• Tesco will bring more choice to the local area – RUBBISH – Newport Pagnell High Street has a massive amount of choice from its current retailers compared to its surrounding towns and villages. The Newport Pagnell Partnership has spent thousands of pounds into the regeneration of the High Street to get local business back, we will not role over and let all the money, time and hard work go to waste!
• “Newport Pagnell needs a Tesco,”  quoted one of the consultants to me – RUBBISH – Clearly lacking the local knowledge of our town we already have one! Besides Tesco’s have 10 stores within 5 miles of the build location, that’s 2 Tesco’s for every walkable mile! 2 of those are large enough too house a medium sized colony (Wolverton and Kingston), and the Wolverton one has made a further application to expand after they told local residents a few years ago they would not! We will not let the same happen here!

As a local campaigner for Newport Pagnell, Andrew Maric believes it is in the best interests for all residents to help oppose this build! Granted the convenience of a large Tesco in Newport Pagnell would be great, but the repercussions it will have directly and indirectly on the High Street, local business’, roads, deliveries and more are far too high!

Sorry Tesco but KEEP OUT!

Last week, Andrew Maric wrote a letter to the MKNews raising concerns over a proposed conservative budget that was proposed at Milton Keynes Council! The Conservatives, currently the opposing party, decided it would be a good idea to cut the BSF (Building Schools for the Future) funding that is desperately needed to make a bid to help improve our local schools, one of the main ones that would be due a refurb is the high achieving Newport Pagnell Ousedale School, which would be directly affected by the proposed cut! Luckily the Lib Dem budget got through and the money needed for bidding for the BSF programme is still on track. It is such a disappointment to see the MK Conservative party disregarding our local schools and instead wanting to build 2 speed schools and knock the others down! Absurd!

Letter is below:

“Dear Sir,

I recently attended the council meeting which discussed the budget for Milton Keynes and I have to say I was absolutely appalled by what I saw.

One by one Conservative Councillors, lead by Councillor Geary, got up and spoke in favour of savage cuts to all Secondary Schools across Milton Keynes, specifically Ousedale, Newport Pagnell. The Conservatives clearly do not understand or comprehend Ousedale is a school in need of some restoration yet has still managed to achieve excellent results over the past decade against its rival schools, I know this because I was a student there. After listening to the debate it is quite clear the Conservatives do not care about our older towns especially Newport Pagnell indeed one of them said as much. I look forward to seeing the Conservatives when they next ask for my vote and ask them to explain why they believe sacrificing our Children’s futures is in the best interests for Milton Keynes.

I hope other members of the public will remember this when voting for the “Courageous Conservatives” (as they put it) who are courageous enough in cutting money for young peoples future in Newport. Well done folks!

Andrew Maric “