Great Notley Garden Village Residents Association
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY THE 21ST. JANUARY, 1999 IN THE LARGE HALL OF THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BUILDING.
-oOo-
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED PUBLIC HOUSE/RESTAURANT
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS.
The Chairman opened the meeting precisely at 8 p.m. to a hall packed to maximum capacity. He began by welcoming Mr. Richard Moore (Associate Director of Countryside plc.) and the assembled company and went on to say that it was regretted that a number of people did not receive notice of the proposed plan of the exhibition last December until a very late stage. In fact some residents had not received any notification at all. Contrary to some beliefs this was not the fault of the Resident’s Association who were not responsible for distribution. The Chairman emphasised the fact that the meeting was called because of a widespread feeling that the residents were not consulted on any matters of importance.
MAIN BUSINESS OF THE EVENING.
The first speaker was Mr. Mark Tegerdine who began by stating that he wanted to see a public house in GNGV but not so large as the one proposed by Countryside. He thought the Newsletters from the R.A. were of a scaremongering type and asked why Newsletters in such a vein were being sent out by the R.A.
The Chairman replied that the R.A. are not against a village pub/restaurant and all that the R.A. is seeking is a discussion opportunity for the community to express their views and say whether or not they wanted a pub/restaurant, and if so what size. The proposal under discussion of such a large building is not in keeping with the general concept of a “village pub”. We do not consider our Newsletters to be scaremongering, more of supplying information that other sources failed to do.
This was reflected in the overwhelming response and turnout with large numbers of people being turned away.
Richard Moore said that Countryside have an obligation to provide a village pub, but there are two options to be considered. In the event that the community refuses to accept the proposal on offer there will not be a pub. The idea of a small village pub is not possible because it could not be viable. He went on to say that GNGV was planned as an extension to White Court and London Road, but when he asked how many present were from White Court no hands were raised. The Chairman answered that invitations were not extended to White Court as the general view of the community is that White Court and Great Notley Garden Village are two separate entities. They are not even joined by a road.
Richard Moore went on to say that the car parking spaces mentioned on the plan were not fixed at 82, but merely a figure that the architect thought was possible. On the subject of whether people living at Panners Farm would use their cars Countryside are fairly benign. The general concensus of the community was that the figure of 82 car parking spaces had been decided, hence their inclusion in the plan presented at the exhibition.
The Chairman then asked Richard Moore who the entrepreneur was and was told that the answer was commercially sensitive. On being pressed as to whether a disco pub was envisaged, Richard Moore said it was not, but the concept was for a family environment.
Regarding the extreme worry about the number of cars that would be drawn into the village a member of the audience pointed out that the local Green Dragon only provided spaces for 40 cars.
Another member of the audience asked about the cost of the new pub and the answer was that the pub was costed about 10 years ago. It was recognised then that the village at that stage could not support a pub, but now that that seems possible we can consider moving ahead.
Another member said that originally it was mooted that we could have a village pub, but what is the situation now? Richard Moore replied that that was what Countryside always wanted to do and now it seems possible that that they can supply a pub, albeit not a village one.
At this point the design drawings were displayed and Steve Smith, a member of the R.A. committee said that the drawings as depicted could in no way be described as a village pub.
Another member of the audience said that if a building of that size drew a full car park of 82 cars, the local roads might well be blocked. The answer from Richard Moore was that 82 car spaces were not set in stone, but only a figure drawn up by the architect.
Mr. Horobin in response to a call from the Chairman asked what the village really wanted. What do you call a village pub? Something the size of the Green Dragon at Young’s End? The Chairman said that pubs locally are fighting for business.
Karen Tresadern then stood up and said that a large village complex will attract a host of the wrong type of teenagers and this was greeted with loud applause.
Another member of the audience said that if local people really wanted a village pub, perhaps they could subscribe for shares. No response.
Another speaker said that if we have a massive pub we will be at the mercy of not only the owners of the pub, but also the local riff-raff.
Mr. Grant Kersey was then called by the Chairman. He said that if the facilities as put forward were not for the residents only, and closing time was 11 p.m. there would be lots of noisy traffic through the village. He said there will be many problems with a pub of this size.
Mr. Richard Moore then said that he had spent the last 12 months talking to prospective purchasers , but nobody was interested. The offer on the table is the only one that Countryside have received. Somebody from the side of the hall said that an amount of 1 million pounds would be needed to build the pub and Richard Moore confirmed that this figure is about right. He has personally tried hard to get the pub scheme off the ground. It is that or nothing. A stark business choice.
If the villagers don’t want a big pub, then Countryside will need to report back to the entrepreneur.
Mr. Alex Eaton-Fearne then stood up and asked about a bar in the Community Association hall with membership only and this suggestion was greeted with approval by the majority of the audience. The answer from Richard Moore was that this would kill the concept of a village pub.
By this time Peter Turner, (Braintree District and Chairman of Black Notley Parish Council) had arrived and pointed out that so far we were only floating ideas. The most successful pubs are on a main road and Peter lives about 3 doors from a pub. He knows from first hand the plusses and minuses of living near a pub. On balance it looks as if the applicant is swimming against the tide. (LOUD APPLAUSE). He understands the publicans resentment of people drinking privately in local halls, but out of this meeting a number of interesting ideas have arisen and given time there might be a solution.
Richard Moore said that Countryside would not put forward a planning application if it was likely to fail. With the climate of this meeting he would take it back to the Chairman of Countryside and he did not know where it would go from there. A voice from the body of the hall shouted “Own Goal”.
Richard Byham was then called by the Chairman and he said “We want a pub. What do the R.A. favour?” The Chairman replied that the R.A. are not against a pub. The R.A. only called a meeting for the community at large to air their views and it was up to the residents present to face the alternatives.
A questioner asked whether given the current traffic in the village and adding cars from the pub, will the village become a main road? It was further asked if the pub goes ahead, will the village 5 years on be submerged in crime?
Eileen Hainsworth said why should the leaseholder not put in a licensee to run the pub? The answer from Richard Moores was that Countryside are not in the business of running pubs. They are developers first and foremost and are not a property company. He then went on to say that the general opinion of the hall was that the present concept of the pub/restaurant was too big. If he takes this feeling back to Countryside H.Q. the answer will be no pub.
Mr. Alex Eaton-Fearne (President of the Community Association) then stood up and supported the idea of expanding the Community Association Hall. If the Community Association had a bar the advantages would be that membership could be controlled and profits would be for the benefit of the community instead of going to an outsider.
It was then suggested by Peter Turner that those people present should vote to find the true feeling in the hall and he volunteered to adjudicate.
The proposals were:-
1. For having the large pub/restaurant as planned. 12 votes.
2. For having a pub/restaurant of a smaller size. Vast majority.
3. For extending the Community Centre to include a bar. Almost unanimous.
The meeting closed at 21.50 hours.
cc. Mr. A.H. Cherry, Chairman Countryside.
Mr. M. Lambert, Braintree D.C.
Mr. Richard Moore, Director Countryside.
Mr. P.J. Turner, Chairman B.N.P.C.
Mr. Robin Hoyles, M.D. Countryside.
All residents of Great Notley G.V.
