WESTBURY Town Council has lodged no objections to a new drop-in centre for a premises in the Market Place.
Local charity, Crosspoint, is seeking to turn the former Madcap Music premises, which has been vacant for several years, into a drop-in centre to help people in the community. Some local traders, including Westbury Delicatessen and the Lopes Arms have raised objections to taking a premises out of the retail sector, arguing that such a move would affect the viability of the town centre.
Traders say that an alternative offer to occupy the building for retail has been made. It has been speculated that Westbury Delicatessen want to move from their current Maristow Street location to the premises, but the delicatessen has refused to comment.
Three members of the public spoke at the meeting of the town council’s Highways, Planning and Development Committee on the 18th April, when the application for change of use for the premises was discussed.
Paul Morris of the Lopes Arms raised the concern that taking the premises out of retail would affect the future retail viability of the Market Place, particularly in light of the Vision for Westbury which identifies regenerating the town centre as a primary aim.
However, Rev Guy Davies from Crosspoint said that many traders had not objected and argued that the drop-in centre would contribute, not subtract from the economic wellbeing of the town. He also refuted claims from some traders that the drop-in centre would result in increased levels of noise and disturbance, pointing out that the centre was intended as a place where anyone could drop in for help, advice, or simply to chat with a friendly face.
After much discussion the town council agreed to offer no objections to the change of use. Six councillors, cllrs Braid, Mitchell, Windess, O’Hara, Jenkins and Morland, voted in favour of the motion, while cllr Hawker voted against and cllr Ezra, chair of the Vision for Westbury, abstained from the vote.
While the argument was made that plans for the town focus on increasing retail mass, others pointed out that they also call for an increased in “mixed use” premises.
Cllr Russell Hawker was keen to establish a precedent to prevent future premises moving away from retail use. “The reality is if we don’t put down the mark it will simply become easy to apply for something else and we will see the whole lot go,” he argued.
Cllr David Jenkins, who is also chair of the Westbury Chamber of Commerce, said he found deciding how to vote a “dilemma”. “At the end of the day having looked at both sides of the coin it’s worth giving it the chance,” he said. “It would be a great facility, and this is just as much about building the vision as shops and retail are.”
Cllr Francis Morland said, “We have shops and units that have been empty for a considerable time, so I don’t think this will deny retailers the opportunity to set up in Westbury. We have enough empty shops!”
Crosspoint was founded by a group of people from different churches in the town, who identify problems with social isolation and deprivation in the area. The charity is built on Christian values, seeking to promote the wellbeing of local residents and contributing to the relief of those in need, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, or religion. Crosspoint has its own website, www.crosspoint-westbury.co.uk.
Wiltshire Council will now consider the application for change of use and a decision is expected by the beginning of May. If permission is granted, Crosspoint hope the centre could open its doors in May or June.
