The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Civic watchdog voices city centre concerns...
Multi-million pound plans for the residential-led Northminster development in Peterborough have been branded as ‘harmful’ to the city’s economy and heritage.
The scathing criticism comes from the city’s heritage and development guardian, The Peterborough Civic Society, which is urging the £14 million 335-apartment plans for the 2.7 acre Northminster site be given short shrift by councillors.
In a detailed eight page appraisal, the society claims the plans for the 12-storey high building, which have been put together by Peterborough City Council and the Peterborough Investment Partnership, will undermine the city’s vitality and ignore decades old concern for its cathedral setting.
The broadside from the society is the latest setback for the high profile project – a key feature of the city’s planned £1 billion transformation – after it become embroiled in a funding row between the Government and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
KenMehmed,aspokesman for the civic cociety, warned: “We have grave doubts about this application and register our objections to the granting of consent for reasons of harm which would be done to vitally important aspects of city centre planning and regeneration.”
A central concern for the society is lack of an alternative site for the city’s market, which will be displaced by the development.
“A surface level car park has been opened (100 spaces) but the overall loss of about 650 spaces and the retail units has noticeably reduced pedestrian activity here and damaged the vitality of the Northminster area.
“The permanent removal of the market would exacerbate this situation and should the market be closed before a replacement site is in operation then a significant blow to the viability and vitality of the city centre is likely to be experienced.’’
In addition, the size of the proposed building is a headache for the society, which fears it will ruin views of the cathedral from across the city.
The report states: “The building mass and height is beyond all existing developments and approvals in the vicinity of the cathedral.
“The sheer bulk adds to the enormity of the proposed building which overwhelms its neighbours.”
The society adds: “Since the 1970s there has been a widespread increase in concern for the protection of what is considered a valuable heritage asset in the built environment.
“The proposed development at Northminster does not respect the setting of the cathedral or the character and scale of its location in a
number of respects.”
A separate issue of contention is car parking.
While the plans include a 50 space car park, the society points out that occupancy rate of two people per apartment equates to 670 persons.
Its report states: “It is not credible that 50 spaces will be enough and it must be assumed that tens if not a few hundred would be seeking a space to park a car not too far distant.’’
A warning just days ago that Government ministers were refusing an immediate release of the £14 million needed for the Northminster development had left a questionmark over the plans.
Concerned at what it says is a lack of progress and value for money, the Government has announced it is withholding £45 million of the £100 million. That sparked an outcry from the city’s political leaders who say the money is urgently needed to ensure the development can get under way.
Peterborough Civic Society has said it is time for Peterborough’s clocks to be put right – as more than half a dozen in the city are not showing the right time. From large clocks in prominent locations to smaller ones on the top of advertising hoardings, The Peterborough Telegraph counted seven clocks in the city centre which were not correct. While most of us carry the time with us –either with a mobile phone or a watch – many also still rely on public clocks, to ensure they are not late for meetings, appointments or travel. Some of the public clocks that either are not working, or are simply telling the wrong time, include the one on the tower outside Asda, the one above McDonalds in Queensgate, and even the one outside the Town Hall on Bridge Street.
The problem is not a new one in the city – in 2018 the Peterborough Telegraph pointed out the issue – and while a number were fixed, many are still telling the wrong time.
Toby Wood (pictured), from The Peterborough Civic Society, said; “The civic society once again breathes a collective sigh about the fact that so many of Peterborough’s clocks are not telling the right time.
“The society believes that it really shouldn’t be beyond the wit of the council and business owners to make sure that clocks tell the right time.
“After all, these timepieces are a fascinating part of our local streetscape and should be celebrated and preserved. “The fact that nobody can read the time on the clock face anymore is missing the point!”