THE acrimonious town council meeting last week attended by more than 100 Newmarket residents raised a number of matters of importance for our town.
These, including the following, must not be forgotten:
- The lack of confidence residents have in Forest Heath Council's planning committee and the planning department generally.
- The lack of protection of the Newmarket conservation area and, in particular, the unacceptable ultra-modern design of the Highland Homes Gables development in Bury Road.
- The unwanted development of the Market Square, for which Rona Burt, the former planning committee chairman (a resident of Tuddenham) cast the deciding vote even though there are 13 empty shops in Newmarket already.
- The clock tower development, including the block of flats which has received planning permission, and the need to preserve the facade of the historic Conservative Club building.
- The proposed traffic flow revisions at the clock tower, which include not being able to turn right out of Waitrose; not being able to filter left into the High Street from Old Station Road; and no satisfactory plans to resolve the gridlock on days when there is racing in Newmarket.
- The prospect of large sums of money being spent to refurbish the council's Mildenhall offices even though there is a serious likelihood that it will cease to exist in 2010.
- The on-going expense regarding Palace House Stables, which has taken years to complete.
- The need to deal with the unresolved matter of Queensbury Stables, which has been under scaffold at the top of the town for years and presents an eyesore on entry to the town.
- The council's attitude to preserving trees in the Newmarket in view of the dozens which developers have chopped down in recent years without penalty or prosecution.
- The undesirable number of nightclubs in Newmarket which have rendered the town virtually a no-go area after dark and unsafe for Newmarket children.
- The need for a concerted plan to make Newmarket a suitable contender for the proposed World Heritage site award.
- The requirement for a proper plan for development in Newmarket to ensure that our town is enhanced by planning decisions and is tidy, vibrant and safe for residents.
It is high time that our elected representatives on both Newmarket Town Council and Forest Heath Council see to it that they, and those employed in their organisations who appear not to be properly accountable, in future carry out the wishes of the residents of Newmarket in a competent and effective manner.
Fiona Unwin
Committee member
Save Historic Newmarket
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