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Residents launch petition against town centre plans
Jul 9, 2010
ANGRY residents have launched a petition against Barnard Castle Vision, an organisation set up to improve the town.
The Vision is involved in a number of high-profile schemes in Barnard Castle, including revamping The Witham Hall, regenerating Scar Top and building an arts centre in Newgate.
The Vision also erected a controversial glass ‘Box’ in Galgate.
But some residents are upset about a number of the plans and have started a campaign against the group.
They launched a petition on Friday and say they will step-up the protest this week.
Bessie Walton, who is behind the petition, said: “We were out for only a couple of hours on Friday and Saturday and got 132 signatures.
“We had to stop because we ran out of forms – as soon as you mention the Vision, everybody wants to sign the petition. People are fed up with them.”
The petition gives residents the choice of objecting to the Vision’s plans for either The Witham Hall, Scar Top or other schemes.
Ms Walton said she was angry about the £6m redevelopment of The Witham Hall. If the council supports the scheme, shops and cafes will be created in the historic building.
“I’m worried about what affect it will have on the town – it’s going to take trade away from other shops and we’ve got enough restaurants as it is.”
She said people in the town were also upset about plans to revamp Scar Top. The proposals include
creating a state-of-the-art youth shelter.
“People are horrified about building on Scar Top,” Ms Walton said.
Ms Walton and a friend will take the petition to other parts of Barnard Castle in the next few days.
It is also available to sign in several shops, such as the Market Cross Jewellers, Hayloft, The Stables and Curlews bookshop.
Ms Walton said that five people have so far declined to put their names to the petition, which will later be handed into Durham County Council.
Annalisa Ward, from Barnard Castle Vision, said: “We have not received any notification about a petition to date.
“As ever, anyone wishing to let us know their views can either contact us via our website, www.barnardcastlevision.co.uk, email us at info@barnardcastlevision.co.uk or call us on 0800 107 6542. We are happy to hear from everyone and will respond to all concerns.”