The Point, forced the closure of the Cinema in Tickford Arcade, Newport Pagnell in the late 1980's

Cllr Andy Maric expresses his views on one of the Cities most iconic landmarks and asks has the ‘Point’ in time passed for The Point in Central Milton Keynes? After all, it forced the closure of our Cinema in Newport Pagnell back in the late 80′s!

“Its big, its red and its been many things over the years whilst I have been growing up in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes. From Restaurants, to Cinema’s, to briefly closing large aspects of it and then re-inventing itself once more, but how long can The Point in Central Milton Keynes stay ahead of the times and be an asset to the City rather than a hindrance as it slowly moves into disrepair and becomes an eye sore?

My most vivid memory about the Point, was the Cinema, going regularly with my Nan and taking in some sweets from the Market as we couldn’t afford their own pick and mix, travelling too and from on the buses from Newport Pagnell where I grew up and still live today! But memories amongst others, it has largely sat in the background to other iconic landmarks and I feel its very much underused and poorly maintained. From the iconic red lights not being replaced, to the interior in dyer need of pushing back into the futuristic and icon style it was once created as to draw back in the public for more than a visit to the Odeon Cinema.

I remember using the Council’s Connections Service for young people when I was in college and looking for part time work, it was a great service and really easily accessible, which is why I ask has The Point peaked? The landmark which once was ‘the icon’ of the centre of Milton Keynes and opened in 1985, has severely faded behind other assets such as the Church in CMK, Xscape, the expanded shopping centre and our obsessive compulsive disorder with Round-a-bouts which has really caught on around the world even more so in the last decade, the latest with a City in the U.S.A replacing intersections and traffic lights with big round ‘things’!

The Point needs to either be refurbished and properly utilised, or potentially have a re-think of its strategy, unfortunately its not owned by the Council, its privately owned, but as the City continues to grow and the need to expand Public Amenities and services grows with it, the space its presides over it easily accessible and highly desirable. One idea is for it to Front a University Campus in the future, preserving the landmark and building, potentially using it all as classrooms and a Student Union (considering there used to be a NightClub there). That way our Cities heritage would be preserved but ensuring we future proof for our City for younger generations and our local economy. It would be much better than just knocking it all down.

If only the Private owners would invest more in it, perhaps these kind of views wouldn’t generate and I would never have asked the question!”

Andy successfully campaigned to get goalposts put up in two of Newport's green spaces, and a third is on its way

A vote for the Liberal Democrats in the elections for Milton Keynes Council on 6th May is a vote for The Network team’s record of all-year-round service and action.

A vote for Andy Maric is a vote for:

• A local councillor who is regularly available to deal with problems and complaints

• A local councillor who keeps you informed and seeks your views through regular newsletters – The Network

• A local councillor who speaks up strongly for all local people

• A local councillor who fights all year round to get things done for Newport Pagnell.

Andy Maric has lived in Newport Pagnell all his life. He attended Green Park and Ousedale schools. He works for Volkswagen in Blakelands.

He is a governor of Tickford Park school.

He is an active and hard-working member of The Network team, campaigning on issues that affect our town.

Pictured right: Following requests from young people, Andy successfully campaigned to get goalposts put up in two of Newport’s green spaces, and a third is on the way.

Things to remember:

• The Network team have helped thousands of residents over the years.
• Liberal Democrats have kept council tax well below the national average.
• Labour cannot win in Newport.
• The Conservative candidate lives in Blue Bridge, not locally like Andy Maric!
• The Labour candidate lives in Fishermead, not locally like Andy Maric!

Euan Henderson & Andy Maric at Green Park School where Andy was once a pupil

57 years of service between Councillors Euan and Irene Henderson, who anounce that they are not standing for re-election on May 6th and are retiring from Milton Keynes Council after over half a century between them of representing Newport Pagnell.

Councillors Euan and Irene Henderson say “In Andy Maric, we have a committed Newport resident who wants to serve the town, he is an experienced member of the Network team, working hard alongside Douglas McCall and Mike Barry in the traditional Liberal Democrat way – giving action and service all year round.

We have no hessitation in giving them our wholehearted support. We hope you will too.

We thank you for the confidence and trust you have shown in us. Please give Andy the same trust and vote for him in the local elections on 6th May 2010″

Pictured above: Andy Maric and Euan at Green Park School, where Andy was a pupil. We started the campaign for a primary school for Green Park in 1987 and it opened in 1991. And we’ve been successful in fighting for improvements to the facilities of all Newport’s other schools.

Irene Henderson & Andy Maric at Middleton Pool where Andy learnt to swim when he was younger

Pictured right: Irene Henderson reminding Andy Maric of the history of Middleton Pool. It used to be open air but, after consultation with residents, we found the money to have it covered in 1989. We’re delighted at the recent improvements carried out by the Town Council.

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Newport Pagnell South Andy Maric says, “It’s an excellent local swimming pool used by hundreds of residents and their families each week, it is where I learnt to swim when I was younger and am happy to see the recent improvements by the Town Council.”

We are addressing the issues raised by these surveys and will be replying to individuals on more specific problems.

Local Campaigner Andrew Maric with Thomas and George

After talking with young people in the area who use the facilities and also some local residents on their initial thoughts to the idea, Andrew Maric and Councillor Douglas McCall are campaigning to get some new goal posts and improve on the current facilities already available on two locations in Newport Pagnell.

The two locations that have been identified are the field behind Dulwich Close and also Riverside Meadow, your comments and thoughts on these locations would be appreciated.

In my opinion it’s extremely important to constantly improve on facilities already in place.

I remember playing in these locations and goal posts with my friends when I was younger and wishing that there was another one, or we had a better standard of goal posts.

I will campaign to get these with Councillor McCall’s guidance as I feel these are very important to our communities younger generations, we need to engage with young people and ensure these facilities are constantly improved.

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

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!