Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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Polegate MP calls for community to pull together to boost town centre
Polegate’s MP Norman Baker is calling for a blueprint to be drawn up to help secure the regeneration of Polegate town centre, warning that if positive steps are not taken in the near future, the shopping centre could go into terminal decline. His call follows a meeting this morning in Polegate with the Leader and Chief Executive of Wealden District Council.
The MP says: "Polegate is a nice town, but I am concerned that the shopping centre may not survive intact unless positive action is taken. We are already seeing a loss of trade thanks to developments at Cophall, and the new mini-Tesco on the Eastbourne Road. The engine is already running slowly and may stall. If it does, the town centre could go into freefall.
"I believe Wealden District Council, as the local planning authority, should recognise the need to be proactive here and take the lead in producing a blueprint to secure the future vitality of Polegate Town Centre, and involve the Town Council and the local community. The recent consultation on the council’s Local Development Framework has been helpful, but what is needed is something more local and specific which will capture the imagination of local residents."
The MP added: "I think we should all be prepared to think outside the box. A bit of tinkering here and there may not be enough. I would like the council to be prepared to look at the whole area around the train station with a view to producing a comprehensive redevelopment package. The imminent arrival of hundreds or even thousands of new homes in the area may provide a possible funding stream, but this needs to be factored in now."
Mr Baker also encouraged local residents to respond to the council’s Local Development Framework consultation by August 13th if they have not already done so.
He added: "Central government has decided that we are going to have a significant number of new houses in the Polegate area over the next twenty years, so it is important local people shape that process by giving the council their views on how best to site those houses and how best the money the council gets from that development can be spent for the benefit of Polegate.
"We may not want all these houses but whatever we do, a large number are coming thanks to the government, and it is irresponsible for certain local politicians to pretend they can be stopped. It is even more irresponsible to frighten people by suggesting 10,000 will be coming to Polegate when the real number will be a fraction of that."