At the meeting, with about 200 people present, the straw poll was
unanimously against building on Farnham Lane. It was also unanimous against
building on the other green spaces. If that is reflected in the wider
consultation, then the whole regeneration scheme is dead as there is nothing
to pay for it. Regeneration of the Wentworth shops got a split, but overall
positive vote in a straw poll.
4
points stood out.
Firstly part of the regeneration was to be funded by the sale of Parish
council land, yet several Parish councillors said they knew nothing about
it, and indicated that they would not sell the land. Somewhat odd as 2 of
the people behind the scheme (cllrs Wright and Shine (pictured right)) are
Parish councillors.
Secondly, PJ is out and about and thinks that the proposals (put forward
by The BILLD/Tory administration) is part of a Labour plan to win the local
elections. You'll have to ask him for his logic on that one.
Thirdly, once cllrs Shine and Wright realised the extent of the
opposition, both indicated that they were against the regeration proposals,
so why did they back it in the first place? Its their administrations
proposals that they were backtracking on.
And finally the cost. Well ,even if all the proposed green spaces were
built on, there would still be a funding shortfall. The hope was that the
ALMO organisation might put £5 million towards the regeneration, though it
wasn't clear if the ALMO had been asked. That £5 million would have come
from the £45 million earmarked for housing improvements for all of Slough.
If however none of the land is sold, then the whole scheme falls anyway.
Don't forget to respond to the consultation document.
https://www.slough.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=DHPIWuuyDqX
Section 2 allows you to make comments, and you might wish to ask what
plans they have to find a home for STFC in Slough.
Back to square one? |