Council stamps out arcade plans
PLANS by a Newmarket property developer to build a shopping arcade in the town have been dealt a blow by Forest Heath councillors who say they cannot afford to support the £1.5million project.
Members of the full council met on Wednesday to discuss the proposal by Newmarket property developer Angus Critchley-Waring, who wants to change the site of Premier travel into a "Royal Arcade" to open up Palace House and surrounding stables to the public.
Although no formal plans have been submitted to the council, Mr Critchley-Waring believes that the increase in footfall from the Royal Arcade would not only open up Palace House, which has been earmarked as a potential art gallery but also the derelict Rothschild stables across the road, which
could be converted into a horseracing hall of fame.
But after the matter was proposed for the Forest Heath agenda for Wednesday night by Cllr Bill Bishop, of Brandon Ward, councillors said there was no funding available for the project and were reluctant to support the plans because they said they had not had the chance to view them.
Forest Heath Council's chief executive David Burnip told councillors that they could either discuss the plans under "urgent conditions", or wait until a meeting later in the month.
Councillors voted four times to decide to move the matter into "urgent".
But the chamber was split between councillors who knew about the plans and those who said they did not have the knowledge to discuss it, a handful of council representatives meeting Mr Critchley-Waring on December 8, last year.
"I would like to be able to discuss this but I do not know enough about it and seeing as we are going to spend quite a lot of money, I think we should discuss it later on," Cllr Roger Dicker told his fellow members.
Newmarket councillor Warwick Hirst said he thought money should be spent elsewhere, adding that he was also concerned that the car park behind Premier travel, was owned by a third party outside of Premier travel, which would have to be consulted.
Clr Nigel Roman, of Great Heath Ward, proposed that funding could not be spared.
"We think it's a good idea but we can't afford it," he said.
Council officer Andrew Claydon said that the council wouldn't be able to afford financial support without "turning off the tap" to something else.
Mr Critchley-Waring met Richard Spring on Friday to update him on the status of the proposals.
Mr Spring told the Journal: "Obviously there are considerable constraints in local government finances at the moment.
"But Forest Heath might well wish to consider selling off another property in the town to make the neccessary acquisitions to fullfill Angus' plans, which would certainly increase substantially, the number of visitors to the alace House project.
"Although I have no role in council matters as a local member of parliament, I will be writing to the council to suggest this course of action."
On Monday night Mr Critchley-Waring presented his plans to Newmarket town councillors.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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