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Post by gnasher on Apr 4, 2010 15:50:09 GMT
No specific promises but they've never hidden the fact they want to build flats.
We also need to define Promenade. To me, it's a walkway along the seafront. We aren't losing that, it's just being re-positioned as it has been several times in my lifetime.
As for how the council spend my money, I don't want to see it wasted. That includes the Dome, Winter Gardens and Lancaster Market, currently losing a half million every year.
Within reason, council property should be managed like any other business. If it's failing, cut your losses and get out. What the market has had to suffer over the 40 years I can remember is disgraceful, they have turned it from an extremely busy and convenient market to a half empty, loss maker. They should have closed it, sold the land and bought Woolworths - turning it into small shop units for the traders.
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trevnhil
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Post by trevnhil on Apr 4, 2010 17:04:49 GMT
No specific promises but they've never hidden the fact they want to build flats. We also need to define Promenade. To me, it's a walkway along the seafront. We aren't losing that, it's just being re-positioned as it has been several times in my lifetime. As for how the council spend my money, I don't want to see it wasted. That includes the Dome, Winter Gardens and Lancaster Market, currently losing a half million every year. Within reason, council property should be managed like any other business. If it's failing, cut your losses and get out. What the market has had to suffer over the 40 years I can remember is disgraceful, they have turned it from an extremely busy and convenient market to a half empty, loss maker. They should have closed it, sold the land and bought Woolworths - turning it into small shop units for the traders. The promenade to me is ALL the pathways in the area that we are talking about....... Midland Hotel, Dome, old Swimming Pool and Cenotaph area. The areas for the public the enjoy walking ie Promenading. I have marked them in Green on the plan. But looking at the 1960's view from the air I cannot detect any particular movement of the areas for walking. Re the Market. Are you talking of Morecambe or Lancaster, but I suppose they are both struggling to make a living. Cheers. Trev..
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Post by gnasher on Apr 4, 2010 19:44:21 GMT
My memory is obviously playing tricks on me, it seems like there's been more than a few changes with the disappearance of marineland, swimming stadium, re-design of marine road, etc.
The market is Lancaster.
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trevnhil
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Post by trevnhil on Apr 5, 2010 7:03:45 GMT
It is quite a while since I have been in Lancaster market. But I have read in the paper about the stalls/ shops that have closed down, and also I think some that are in arrears with the rent. Certainly the Lancaster Woolworth's is a very large building. With regards to the Dilemma of the Winter Gardens and the redevelopment of the land on the promenade side of Marine road....... I saw this Item in the Visitor online....... Urban Splash unveils new plans for central site. Published Date: 31 March 2010 . YOU have a chance to have your say on plans to drastically remodel the area of Morecambe's promenade near the Midland Hotel. The hotel's owners Urban Splash have finally submitted revised plans for the 'Central Promenade Development' and the public is being urged to read the proposals and give feedback. Friends of the Winter Gardens and some members of Morecambe Town Council will be in the Arndale Centre this Saturday (April 3) between 10am and 4pm when you can air your views. See The Visitor for full story I know that I have posted that article before. BUT. I have been on this site.... planapps.lancaster.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/weeklylist_searchform.aspxThis lists the planning applications from mid February to the 4th of March. I can find no mention of the promenade development. Is it me that is not searching correctly. Can anyone else find the plans that are reported to have been submitted. I would certainly like to see what the new proposals are. Cheers. Trev..
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Post by gnasher on Apr 5, 2010 15:23:16 GMT
No need to search, go to the planning pages and click Special Interest.
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Post by trevnhil on Apr 5, 2010 15:27:00 GMT
No need to search, go to the planning pages and click Special Interest. Thanks I have found it, and off to have a read now. Trev..
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trevnhil
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Post by trevnhil on Apr 5, 2010 16:34:55 GMT
I have had a quick look, but without much reading. There seems to be little different at first glance except that they have made the blocks smaller by a little. If I remember right now there are only going to be 800 flats / apartments. I looked at the perspective views and again to me they seemed large. unfortunately 3 of the 4 views were not available because of viewing problems. I read the minutes of the town council meeting but that was not up to date as it said the meeting to follow was on the 18th of Feb. Because it is such a major issue I just hope that the right decision is made. But no doubt it will not be the majority that will have a say. I wonder how many of the Morecambe and Heysham population know that US have permission to build there, and that what is happening now it the nitty gritty bargaining. If you have a lot of time spare, it starts here... planapps.lancaster.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchresults.aspx?searchtype=SPECTrev..
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Post by gnasher on Apr 5, 2010 17:36:45 GMT
But no doubt it will not be the majority that will have a say.
That's one of the major flaws with planning applications. In a town of 120,000, it's the 100 objections that are counted and not the 119,900 that don't object. I set up a facebook page for the last set of US plans and presented the planners with a list of over 1,000 pro-US opinions. Unfortunately someone coined the phrase credit crunch and the plans were shelved, until now.
I actually complained last time that the feedback options on the planning pages only allowed for someone to complain, they didn't allow for someone to say they support the plans. They do now so if you like the plans, tell the council!
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Post by ukuleleron on Apr 5, 2010 20:26:37 GMT
I have never been in the Platform but hear that the acoustics are terrible. I'm always a little dismayed when people speak of The Platform from a position of ignorance, usually qualifying it by saying that they`ve never actually been to a performance there, but they've heard it said... I`ve worked at The Platform for something approaching ten years, I know exactly what the sonic issues are with the building. Obviously it's not perfect, it`s a railway station, but the acoustics are excellent for a good deal of the performances we put on. Program material such as orchestra, brass bands, big band, opera, folk music, light jazz, comedy, they all work well in the venue. Ask someone who comes to The Promenade Concert Orchestra performances, or The Morecambe Band, The Lancashire Sinfonietta etc. Its not a rock and roll stadium, very loud stuff doesn't work well, but that is a tiny proportion of our program and we do our best. This is proven time and time again by professional artists keen to return to play the venue year after year. If it was so crap, they wouldn`t come back. The majority of shows at The Platform exceed their target for ticket sales, the ones expected to sell out generally do (and we have quite a few sell out shows, several so far this year already) It still amazes me that the vast majority of our audience are not local, coming from far and wide - North Wales, Carlisle, Skipton - yet very very few from Lancaster or Morecambe. One other thing, remember that both The Platform and The Dome are (were, in the case of The Dome) run on very small budgets.
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Post by accykeef on Apr 6, 2010 6:19:32 GMT
I may not have first hand knowledge of the venue but I respect the views of personal friends who are professional musicians and engineers with years of experience in staging plays at multiple venues. I have no doubt that you do a very good job with the limited resources you have but the fact that the platform sells out for numerous concerts backs up my argument for a much larger venue than you currently have.
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Post by WillowTheWhisp on Apr 8, 2010 10:12:40 GMT
Although my original view on this area to the side of the Midland Hotel was that I did not want to see 7 storey high blocks of flats on it, I am beginning to see Gnasher's point of view. 'View' being the operative word.
From Rita's cafe it is indeed impossible to see anything across the bay, although the railing with seagulls welded on does give an impression of an open view albeit an optical illusion. The area is a mishmash of leftover something and nothing at present, and it does begin a lot lower down than road level so that gives it scope for a bit of height without being too obtrusive, but those larger blocks of flats just seem incredibly overpowering.
I remember at one point seeing illustrations of the proposed development with interestingly shaped street lamps and I liked those. I also remember mention of retail premises.
I can also see the point that when a councellor has a vested interest in another property then it does not seem to put them in an unbiased position when it comes to giving planning permision for an alternative entertainment venue.
I do not like the Platform as a concert venue. The acoustics are appalling and the seating leaves a lot to be desired although I can see the point of having seats which can be moved and rearranged. The Winter Garden had wonderful acoustics in its day and the frontage is attractive but it does seem to be a giant financial black hole. I'm not sure about the idea of a purpose built theatre having had its day though as the lovely little Darwen Library Theatre seems to do very well, and has nice comfy seats.
I too remember all those wonderful things Gnasher mentioned apart from the blue seagull - please tell me more. I loved Marine Land.
How does the size of these proposed flats compare to the old swimming baths?
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Post by gnasher on Apr 8, 2010 17:07:11 GMT
The blue seagull was the badge you got for swimming a length of the super swimming stadium ;D
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trevnhil
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Post by trevnhil on Apr 8, 2010 18:20:07 GMT
The blue seagull was the badge you got for swimming a length of the super swimming stadium ;D Ah, that's why I didn't know what it was. I only learned to swim in later life, and even then very badly. i can swim on top or underneath.... but I cannot breathe. As you may realise this limits my swimming somewhat. ;D
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Post by WillowTheWhisp on Apr 8, 2010 18:24:26 GMT
I'm always a little dismayed when people speak of The Platform from a position of ignorance, usually qualifying it by saying that they`ve never actually been to a performance there, but they've heard it said... I`ve worked at The Platform for something approaching ten years, I know exactly what the sonic issues are with the building. Obviously it's not perfect, it`s a railway station, but the acoustics are excellent for a good deal of the performances we put on. I have been to the Platform - several times. I did not go on any of those occasions because of the venue. I went in spite of the venue and because of the artist I wish to see. Having seen and heard the same performers in purpose built theatre settings with excellent accoustics I can definitely say that the Platform is far from perfect but they obviously do their best to make the best of a bad job. I would love to see something which has actually been created taking the acoustics and ambience into account. The Platform was a station building and will never really be anything but a station building being used for other purposes and all credit to those who make a success of it - but it is far from ideal.
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