Wycombe Liberal Democrats

Response to the Rye Management Plan Consultation Document

I have had a number of residents complain that the consultation document did not purport to be a management plan for the future, just a description of the area, with summary of current actions. This is useful as a base for consultation, but confusing to people who wish to comment.

Holywell Mead Swimming Pool
Concerns have been raised that Holywell Mead Swimming Pool is not seen as part of the Rye plan. It costs a considerable sum to keep it open three months or so of the year. The facility lies dormant for far too long, and consideration should be given to some form of year round use before the Rye Management Plan is finalised. Otherwise, Wycombe District Council could find that enormous changes have to be made rendering much of the plan obsolete.

Based on key learning’s and resident feedback -
• The Pool must remain in Current ownership - not a profit/private club!
• It needs refitting including improved showers with dual use for the park and pool (in which case the ugly changing rooms could be removed)
• An addition of spa pools, sauna and steam room would be an attraction
• Heated pool with roof, ideally capable of pulling back would ensure use in summer and winter.
• It would complements fully the outdoor activities and we would then have all year use leisure pool.

Signage around the whole area needs reassessing and upgrading.

Holywell Mead south
Could well be enhanced ecologically, especially habitat creation or restoration. I believe The Environment Centre has made recommendations for
• a marshy area at the zone below the waterfall, complemented by a reed bed
• moving the “stepping stones” in the pool below the waterfall to make a line
• a deeper pool below the waterfall
• a gentler mowing regime, especially at the margins and in areas little used by the public to enable the development of ‘field margin’ habitats and an area of wildflower meadow
• a wildflower meadow between the line of the former Carrington estate and the Back Stream.

The Dyke and Wendover Way
When is something going to be done about the swans on the Dyke? There always used to be just a pair, which would nest every year. Since the public have been overfeeding them, there have been more than 50, which is killing the plants and fish. They are also aggressive and could be dangerous to small children. The vast amount of bread thrown to the swans and ducks contributes to the number of rats in the area. The rat catcher‘s sterling work is thwarted by this overfeeding.

Parking in Wycombe Marsh is becoming a nightmare!

There are serious parking issues in Wycombe Marsh - parking provision must be improved.

Lib Dems say YES! Tories say NO!

At a recent Development Control Committee meeting the new St James development was approved by the Tory controlled committee. The required parking provision level was passed with “minimum”. parking provision for the estate. An area set aside for affordable homes will be faced with a “first come first served” fight for parking.The rest of the estate could see dispersed parking onto the roads around the Marsh and surrounding areas.

Your local Lib Dem councillors presented the case to show that lack of adequate on road, off road public and resident parking in the area was a growing problem.

The new St James housing development design does not deliver adequate public on road or off road parking. The Development meets minimium standards but really needs to offer more space for residents/public/visitors /local workers to park - perhaps an all day public car park is the answer within the Marsh area? Ideally it should be across from Fitness First close to the existing flats.

Cllrs Farmer and Snaith have shown there are serious traffic and parking problems in this area. The new St James development will increase the traffic problems through Abbey Barn Road/Wrights Meadow access, London Road retail park access and London Road/Curry’s access

The issues we face may appear to be as a result of St James making. It isnt the developers at fault.They are working with local groups to minimise issues. The truth is the developers are simply delivering what our District and County councils are allowing.

The underlying issue remains that District and County councils are not putting in place the necessary services for the local community. Crucial services to meet the increased density of the homes, increased traffic and parking needs are not being met.

Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are challenging the Tory controlled councils to improve local on street and off street parking provision in Wycombe and also increase the number of parking spaces provided for new homes and developments.

I am saddened but not surprised by the announcement today that the government is going to back more nuclear power stations for Britain. We in the Liberal Democrats believe that this is a flawed decision based on a sham consultation. Last year, we set out our research which showed that we could achieve a 94% reduction in carbon emissions without resorting to nuclear power. Nuclear leaves a legacy of dangerous waste that our descendants will have to deal with for generations to come. Not only that, but we believe that the focus will be diverted from developing better and cheaper renewable energy as well as energy saving initiatives. We believe that we can reach our targets by bridging the gap with carbon capture technology:
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What do residents of Marsh want to happen in Kingsmead Park for childrens area — make your comments known
if you want to comment please download attached and return to WDC –

kingsmead-qs.pdfkingsmead-qs.pdfkingsmead-qs.pdf

Over the last week I have been receiving letters and calls from local residents in Ryemead who are raising concerns regarding the scrapstore
I am told their funding and premises is under threat from their landlord, Wycombe District Council as of next March.

When I hear of issues like this it concern me and makes me question the future of Wycombe’s voluntary sector in the current local economic and political climate.

Myself and our local community consultant Hilary Reed visited the scrapstore yesterday.

Our findings
1. The scrapstore we discovered is an Aladdin’s cave
2. Used by schools, groups churches, local artists –and more
3. Developing arts/ crafts experience in the community
4. Good for community cohesion
5. providing low cost materials
6. Opportunities to learn through art/ craft
7. Assisting recycling targets of council
8. Underpinning the local community voluntary and cost sectors

The issues
1. Funding for this project is being cut – Why ?– a venture of this scale needs supporting and additional funding
2. WDC are funding this project –BCC are not – believe BCC are benefiting from the centre and need to be making a contribution also
3. It’s probable by March 2008 the resource zone may have to close unless it can be funded by moving to the voluntary sector

Whilst we were there the unit was visited by over 30 people and groups from Ryemead ward (Local Church) ,Abbey Ward ( Local Church) and the other a group from Flackwell Heath (helping disabled)

Every one we saw in there had a smile on their face

WDC are in the process of working with a newly formed management committee to migrate the service to the voluntary sector. I wish them every success and will be monitoring progress.