Likes and Dislikes of the Proposals

[Admin]

Are there any major problems for the town centre development created by the Tesco proposals, and if so what do you think they are?

Are there things that you would like to see that are not covered by the Tesco proposals?

What are the aspects of the proposal that you would most like to see implemented?

[sorchamoonspun]

Why didn't the new proposal include the bus station? Surely if you are going to redevelop that whole area, you'd include the bus station and some public toilets?

I can't say I liked any of the proposals really. It created an island in the middle of the town which can't be a good thing and did you see how many crossings there were on the High Street. You'd never be able to drive up the High Street - you'd always be stopping and starting and stopping again...

Plus someone there said that the shopping precinct that came down from the Civic Centre would be the same gradient as the High Street. Derr! Not very helpful for any one who sturggled walking or getting about, or mums with pushchairs. If you were going to revamp that area, why not make it completely flat and easier to get about.

Bit cramped in the exhibition today too - and hot!

[incomer]

Disappointed that there was no reference to (re)developing the Bell Court area. This would have been a much better location for a new Tesco store, as it would not have separated the High Street from any extra retailers at the bottom of town. The proposed store is too large and the extra retail provision is laughable. Based on my experience of Tesco controlling retailers operating in close proximity - from a similar development in the East Midlands - they ensure that only shops that are not in direct competition will be allowed to open.

[resident]

This Tesco development is far too large for the town. It would dwarf all the town centre buildings. It's an insult that the planners seem to think that by painting the roof green we will think it is open space.

Diversion of the traffic will split the town. Parking will be controlled by Tesco. A larger store will increase comptetition for the High street and other local retailers as Tesco will Cherry pick ranges.

Town centre housing is inappropriate. It has only been added as a sweetner for the council to attain its requirement for "Affordable Housing"

The proposal does not include the full picture with regard to roads as it does not include the Framfield Road junction development in the "Master Plan".

It is one of the busiest Tesco in the country. Surely they should be giving something back rather than taking the whole town centre.

What has happened to the Youth Centre the council fought so hard for?

[neil]

I agree with Resident...

[resident]

neil, I fear that as the dust has settled rather quickly we are the only ones left....

[neil]

Well lets email this to as many prople as possible....

[kenrobuck]

The scheme is typical of Tesco, look at what has happened to Hailsham since they started, all the shops are closing and even the co-op is considering the situation of closing, it used to be a good market town.

There is no need for all the other shop units because like the present shops "empty due to the Tesco supermarket" and as they increase their lines and possibly fuel no other shops will come to trade in Uckfield town centre.

No allowance has been made for competition from other supermarkets,
no allowance for larger stores like M & S, Bhs, etc. which may have considered opening when the housing explosion is with us.

More urgent consideration is that of transport, we in Uckfield and surrounding areas can only get to Eastbourne on a two hourly service and must return on the 1615hrs bus if you do not want to
walk up the high street, Brighton has a limit on the time you have to leave I think 1800hrs, these are but two shopping areas we have to use for the more popular shops, but there is no allowance for a more convenient bus station with proper services to accomodate waiting passengers.

Luxford Fields, a play area which in this plan is designated to have a two way traffic flow adjacent to it, why? because it would facilitate the traffic ease getting to Tescos, not a thought for the safety of the playing children which at present are isolated from the traffic, and looking at the revised car parking, which not only causes a bottle neck for entry and exit but the spaces seem less.

There is other ways of easing traffic at the right turns, a one way giratory system along Grange Road and straight across into Church Road, and the new road that was proposed where the tractor factory space was to accomodate Bell lane, or another entry from Church street to the bypass.

[luddite]

No chaps you're not the only ones left......

Have been talking to Tescopoly (www.tescopoly.org) - lots of useful information about how to campaign about these kind of developments

Can't do it alone tho.......

[dani65steer]

Seriously folks, I am not a fan of Tesco and I really don't want to see the town turned into "tescoville", and I would prefer more shopping choice in the town.

But I have to admit to shopping in tesco (albeit reluctantly).

So my question is - would we all feel the same about the proposals if they were being floated by Sainsbury or Asda?

I don't like the tesco proposals - I think they are blinkered, badly researched and botched (one tesco rep at the exhibition told me that it was only a couple of weeks ago that they realised that the old adult learning centre was still there in Civic Approach - right where they want to put their road!)

What Tesco/SJI want us to believe is "town centre development" was just smoke and mirrors to disguise them wanting to expand the store.

[incomer]

Having slept on this matter for a few nights, I am still of the opinion that the SJI proposal is wrong. I am now beginning to wonder what Tesco believe we in Uckfield want from a store that is nearly twice the size of the current one and without harming town centre trade. And on a slightly technical note, if the development went ahead strictly accrding to the plans as presented, what would happen to the electricity substation at the side of Tesco, and also to the mains power lines that currently come across Bell Lane from the Bellbrook and disappear underground at the end of the allotments - right where the new fire station would be!
And finally, I am in agreement with the other forum members that we need some further action - and more townspeople involved - as is suggested on the Tescopoly site. What is the town councils view on this?

[Admin]

Incomer,

The Town Council is keen to hear the views of the people of the town, and is hoping that more people will join this forum to air their views and comments. We hope existing users will encourage others to join in and add to the current discussions.

The Masterplan (www.uckfieldtc.gov.uk/consultations.html) was the result of a questionnaire circulated to every home in the town in 2006. The Town Council were overwhelmed at the response and all the feedback given was used to formulate the Masterplan.

[mjudge]

Well done resident. I agree. If I want a store the size of Asda Hollingbury I will go out of town for it.
The plans are very deceptive - a lot of people dont realise how big the store is.
The 'affordable housing' and 'residential home' are a joke. Would you want to live in a huge tesco store?
Neil I agree the more people we tell about this the better - Tescos have been stopped before in Norfolk. Come on people of Sussex if Norfolk can stop them so can we.
I was glad to see the Fire Brigade at the Civic Centre on saturday saying they dont want to have a new Fire Station.
We need to build community not destroy it. Schools need open spaces and the community needs somewhere to meet together that isn't Tescos forecourt.

[newtownlad]

I agree with resident completely.

I also shop at Tesco because that is what Tesco is for. The trouble is that Tesco seems to have got ideas above its station.

It is a big shop, nothing more nothing less, and should remember that.

We do not need a 'big shop' to dictate or get involved with town planning. Thats why we have a council.

When the council starts selling groceries in the high street then Tesco can start town planning.

The proposals were using every trick in the book to make a Tesco expansion look attractive. The proposals for additional housing, parking etc. were just 'carrots on a stick' to gain approval. But if you look at what is lost and what is gained you can see who the real winner is.

The sale of the housing will offset costs of the development. Holy Cross School loses two football pitches and gains one. Luxfords Field is reduced by half as is public car parking and Tesco gains additional car parking under its control.

Don't let this happen and lets remind Tesco that this is Uckfield and not 'Tescofield'.

[localresident]

Do you want Uckfield to become Tescofield?

If not, then vote against this dreadful plan to ruin a pleasant mid-Sussex town and turn it into yet another Tesco dominated shopping centre.

Tescos need to be relocated out-of-town if they want to become bigger. Let's not hear anymore of this rubbish that out-of-town retail parks will result in local town shops closing - because, without a doubt, expansion of Tescos in Uckfiel will result in just that. Tescos will expand its lines to cover anything available in the rest of the town and then those remaining shops will eventually close.

How long do you think it will be before one of the local petrol stations will be a Tesco petrol station?

We already have a Tesco Extra on Manor Park.

We need competition in the town - not a monopoly.

We need individuality not the same shops that are in every other town. How lovely it was to see independant shops rather than the repetitive run of chain stores, when we went to France this year.

Stand up and fight for Uckfield - NOT for Tescofield.