Brief background
On November 5th 2007, my wife and I as residents of Eastgate South Driffield visited the event set up by ERYC at The Bell Hotel at which the plans for supermarket developments on the old Cattle Market were displayed. We were dismayed that the matter of the access route seemed to be glossed over – the plans on show did not extend to show the access route further than Galloway Lane, no representative who could give any information regarding the access route (Albion Street, Eastgate South) was present and, in fact, James Chatfield of the ERYC planning dept advised us that the report regarding traffic issues had not yet been completed. Also during the evening, Phil Parker (Head of Planning, ERYC) stated to my wife that his opinion was that the plans for a supermarket at the cattle market were ‘unsuitable because of the traffic issues’.
Just over two weeks later we saw a report by an officer of the Humberside Police Traffic Management office (which was sent to James Chatfield) which categorically stated that the access route was unsuitable for HGV/LGV and that ‘Humberside Police do not support this plan on the grounds of public safety’.
Despite this, the ERYC support the building of a supermarket on the cattle market. One of the planning applications (widely believed for many reasons to be on behalf of Tesco, but no-one will admit to it) was rejected on 6th December by the ERYC Strategic Planning Committee (against the recommendation of the ERYC Planning Department who wanted it approved) but the second plan (same site but different set out of buildings/parking etc) was deferred for further consideration and is yet to be finalised.
Independent Residents Survey
The future of the cattle market is yet far from settled. We have assurance from the Mayor that the Driffield Town Council’s policy remains that they object to a supermarket development on the cattle market.
The Ward Councillors Symon Fraser, Felicity Temple and Barbara Hall put a letter into the paper stating their agreement with the rejection of the first planning application, but their support for the second application that would be considered again. We were then made aware that the town council Mayor, John Pougher, the Ward Councillors, and the developers who had put forward the supermarket plans for the cattle market site were to meet during January. The reason for the meeting was to “get the best of a bad job” for the development – i.e. the town council and ward councillors would admit defeat and allow a supermarket development, so long as the developers cast a few crumbs in their direction (supposedly that they could use to try and fob off the residents and disguise an appalling job at being stoic in doing the best for the people of Driffield).
More than this, we regularly heard that traders in the town were apathetic to a supermarket development and Felicity Temple in reply to a resident’s letter in early January 2008 said that she had only had one objection to the supermarket development.
Working and living in Driffield, I regularly hear negativity regarding building a supermarket on the old cattle market site so decided to test the water and undertake an independent survey which gave three basic options:
1) Support for a supermarket and cinema,
2) Support for a range of amenities or;
3) No preference.
Support by local traders
Several of the established high street traders picked up on the survey and offered to distribute it to their customers. Many shops, pubs and cafes handed out the survey and collected in the results, traders involved included Mariners Arms, Rafters, Total filling station/Costcutter, Silks, Riverhead Café, The Spread Eagle, Costellos, Waites, The Star, The Bell Hotel, Boyes, Inspirations, Sokells, Blockbister, The Tiger and The Norseman. In addition, Driffield School were supportive in making the survey available to students and a local graphic designer created a website so that people could access information and complete the survey online www.driffieldcattlemarket.co.uk). Over 35 high street shops also agreed to display a sticker advertising the website.
Overwhelming survey results
The results of the survey were overwhelming. In total, 3500 printed surveys were distributed and over 31% returned with almost 100% of people supplying their full contact details.
The age range of respondents was a good reflection on the demographic of Driffield and accounts for around 10% of the voting population. Considering the outlets via which the survey was distributed and age range of the respondees, it is fair to say that this provides an accurate reflection of the opinions of the population as a whole.
Over 90% said NO to a supermarket development on the Old Cattle Market site. Interestingly, of the 6% who voted for a supermarket, most said they would prefer a supermarket on an alternative site or something other than Tesco!
Questions asked
The questions posed were simple and straightforward allowing the respondent the opportunity to make a simple selection. Narrative above the questions stated that Plan A also included provision of a Cinema (as per current development plan)
A - I would prefer a supermarket.
B - I would prefer a range of social amenities.
C - I have no preference
Volume of survey
Total # of surveys circulated - 3500 (100%)
Total survey response - 1096 (31%)
Respondents from within Driffield (town) - 856 (78%)
Respondents from outside Driffield - 240 (22%)
Responses from Primary Access Route - 97 (9%)
Contact details supplied (99.6%)
Demographic
Responses aged under 30 - 269 (25%)
Responses aged 31 > 50 - 531 (48%)
Responses aged over 51 - 296 (27%)
Average age of respondent - 42
Feedback
I would prefer a supermarket (A) 49 - (6.28%)
I would prefer amenities (B) 1015 - (90.48%)
I have no preference (C) - 27 (3.14%)
Support by local councillors?
Surely then, the Town and Ward councillors must take note. In light of the results, I asked for a meeting with Felicity Temple and she agreed to meet me, with Symon Fraser also present.
The last Conservative election manifesto boasted how Felicity, Symon and Barbara were ‘proud to fight alongside Driffield residents to defeat inappropriate developments’ and goes on to state ‘we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you to oppose any further unsuitable development proposals’.
This is their view of standing ‘shoulder to shoulder’ - Felicity and Symon were clearly of the mind that the only way forward for the cattle market site was to support the current application to build a supermarket as opposing it would only mean that the developers would appeal against rejection of their previous plan, which would most likely be waved through (based purely on planning law and without any understanding of Driffield as a town or community).
Call this democracy? How did we end up in a situation where the only option seems to be another supermarket? What about what Driffield wants? The survey provides a real insight into what people think about the future of Driffield, what they care about. All the survey required was to tick one of 3 boxes, but over 20% added additional comments, detailing at length their hopes and fears for the future of our market town. What about community facilities, something for the young, the next generation? What about the elderly or protecting the tradition and heritage of a Wolds Market Town? What about the arts or the environment? But no, the easy option seems to prevail and just like many other towns we seem destined to have the heart ripped out of Driffield by greedy developers making a profit today without a care about the future viability and vitality.
Access to supermarket
And what about access to this new supermarket? Symon Fraser when asked was dismissive. Both he and Felicity Temple reckon that although the access streets pose challenges, they are no more problematic or dangerous than in any other town in the country. Symon also advocated that the report by the Humberside Police Traffic Management office is ‘the opinion of one Policeman’ (even though it is written from Humberside Police on their headed paper).
Residents of Eastgate South, Galloway Lane and Albion Street will also be happy to learn that our ward councillors are pressing ERYC for ‘traffic calming’ measures – 20mph restrictions, pedestrian crossings, all of which are highly applaudable. But what about parking issues and potential damage to property? Well hopefully, there will be a space made available for each resident on the supermarket car park and, to date, no survey of property impact has been carried out (as far as we know). There was also no specific answer as to how HGVs will be stopped mounting the pavements and creating gridlock, but Symon and Felicity will be pressing ERYC to make sure that HGV’s are asked to exit the proposed supermarket using other streets. Perhaps not such good news for those living on Eastgate North, New Road or Exchange Street?
Renaissance Survey omits Old Cattle Market site
Recently, the Driffield Partnership and Renaissance programme put forward a survey asking ‘what will make Great Driffield great’? Why then does it totally omit to mention the old cattle market? When asked, Felicity Temple first suggested that this was because the Renaissance survey was designed to reflect “the high street journey”, the route taken by visitors from the Railway/Bus station along the main route of the town! When I attempted to complete my response to this survey online this angle certainly wasn’t mentioned. Symon Fraser (chair of the Driffield Partnership) offered a slightly different opinion. He said that feelings regarding the old cattle market site could not be sought because there was a ‘live’ planning application in force and the survey could not be seen to be “canvassing opinion” that might prejudice the developer’s success with its application. Strange when Middle Street North was specifically mentioned in the survey, and there is a ‘live’ application from Aldi in that area! Helen Jackson (Renaissance officer) told us in an email that the old cattle market was not included in the survey because there had already been adequate public consultation over this matter. Come on guys, get your story straight! Surely, the Renaissance survey should be about the whole of Driffield and not specially selected areas?
There are rumours and more rumours about the reasons why ERYC are so desperate to approve a supermarket plan for the cattle market.
As I understand them, they are:
- ERYC are significantly over budget and need to sell the car park to raise some cash.
- If the developer’s application is refused, the ERYC could not afford to fight against an appeal (which they would be ‘honour’ bound to do, but really have no heart (or cash) to do), and/or;
- The ERYC have misled the developer into believing that they would be able to ensure planning permission and face a legal action by the developers if they don’t deliver.
My message to our Councillors
Everyone agrees that the cattle market needs to be sorted out, and as soon as possible. Our independent survey shows that a great number of Driffield residents do not want a supermarket. They want amenities; amenities to enhance the town for residents and to attract visitors and keep the high street viable – for the future. Sure, this may be difficult to make available, but why just take the easy option? As the Capital of the Wolds, this is what Driffield deserves to have delivered by those who its residents have elected to serve it – so do the right thing.
When Greg Knight MP replied to a letter from us, he said that although he couldn’t get involved with planning issues he recommended that we gathered local feelings and put them forward. So here it is Greg, what now?
This survey gives a very strong message to the Ward Councillors – don’t do what you think is best (for your political career or a quite life with ERYC), do what the people of Driffield have clearly said that they want you to do on their behalf.
Add your voice
If anyone didn’t get the opportunity to have their input into the resident’s survey, you can still do so online at www.driffieldcattlemarket.co.uk or pick up a printed version at Rafters or Sokells.
A few samples of comments made in the survey
Plan B will need investment but funding (e.g. from EU grants) could be found if the ERYC pulled its finger out and started looking into those options. Unfortunately they just want to cash in the value of the car park by the easiest way possible and not have to put in the effort to do what is best for Driffield to protect and enhance its future. Sadly it seems the Ward Councilors don't have enough gumption and backbone to stand up to ERYC and fight for the people of Driffield. The councilors are 'public servants’; the residents of Driffield are the 'public' who elected them to 'serve' us. When are we going to see the councilors put what's best for our lives before what makes their lives less hassle.
"We visit Driffield from Hull especially for the variety of individual and independent shops which make it a fantastic high street. If a large supermarket opens, these may disappear - as in Beverley, where they've been replaced by more expensive 'tourist' shops".
"The Youngsters need somewhere to go instead of hanging about in the streets. Driffield is bad enough for traffic without adding to the problems"
"I don't really understand what goes on with councils and stuff. All I know is that I wish they would listen to what young people in Driff want. It’s not asking for much to want something to do or somewhere to go with friends. Please think about the younger people".
As a newcomer to Driffield. I have walked the cattle market site and see a fascinating mix of properties - all a 'hotch potch' - no cohesion. What links them all? Time and people. Could this become a centre which tells the story? The Driffield History. The past - a museum. The Present - an arts centre, an information centre, medical provision, school life linking youth in the community.
I do fail to see how this application can be considered when a similar application has already been unanimously refused on police advice in connection with traffic problems that would arise from such a scheme. Do the Council feel that this overwhelming problem has gone away or perhaps try to convince themselves it doesn't exist.
The current set of development proposals are called 'strategic' yet the plans seem only to consider retail facilities, surely a strategic plan should consider many other factors. The future of Driffield is far more important to those living in, and around, the town than it ever will be to supermarket boards of directors.
I have just moved to the area from West Yorkshire, where my local town had 6 supermarkets and the middle of Keighley had no independent retailers as the supermarkets had taken all the trade. Traffic was also a major problem, with narrow roads and large wagons. I like the fact there here in Driffield you still go to the bakers, butchers and grocers, or have the option of a couple of supermarkets to choose from, rather than an option of which supermarket only. The downside to moving here is that on an evening apart from going to Hull or Beverley there isn't a lot else to do regarding cinema, bowling, a good choice of restaurants or other social activities. This is why I think the people of Driffield should benefit from a recreational area to enrich their lives rather than the supermarkets getting rich off the people of Driffield!
Provided by: Sarah and Mark Blakeston,
Eastgate South, Driffield
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We would like a cinema/youth centre so we can have leisure in our community safely. Lorries are dangerous for people crossing the roads - plans for large supermarkets will cause this. 