Peter Dolman
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Phelps ParadeThe work is going on a pace with the old burial ground being cleared in preparation of the laying of new paving stones. This with the new paving in Phelps Parade will upgrade the area and make it more attractive.
It is a shame that the final phase (4?) looks likely to be delayed as it was to be carried out by a private developer. Its not surprising given the economic climate but I hope that it will be completed sooner rather than later.
When fully completed it should look fantastic, especially for Calne!
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GTB
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Burial ground? 
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Local lass
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unless calne gets some high street shops calne will remain a sh it hole.there has to be some better shops or people wont come in to calne
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rosco
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| GTB wrote: | | Burial ground? |
In front of the chapel.
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Peter Dolman
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please please please tell us all how can we persuade high street shops to come to Calne?
every market town in the country would love to know how, you would earn a fortune!
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pimpdriver
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any more news on the vacant shops (obviously commercial negotiations may be going on)???
I think WIlkinsons would be great, I went to Chippenham yesterday just to go to their Wilkos, and got lots of bits and bobs I needed, which Calne didn't have (try getting child and pet friendly slug pellets in Calne......)
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Biggles
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Wilkos would be great but alas i doubt theyll come here, knowing Calne itll be another chairty shop or another take away or something else weve got far too many of
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Local lass
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wilkinsons woul be fantastic in calne.
peter wrote
every market town in the country would love to know how, you would earn a fortune!
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why not ask devizes,chippenham,malbrough, they seemed to have done it.
unless high street shops do come to town this town will never prosper
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Peter Dolman
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apart from perhaps devizes the other towns plus places like trowbridge/melksham etc have empty shops in their high streets. there is no magic answer to the problem.
its highly unlikely that a big retailer will move to a town like calne with the demographics we have, the investment would far out weigh the potential return. after all the big retailers (and little ones as well) are not charities and want to maximise their returns. even in the good timesI suspect calne would not have been seen as a good investment.
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Peter Dolman
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just returned from the town and spent some time looking at what's happening in Phelps Parade.
There is an area which has been blocked off within which an archaeological investigation is taking place. In the remaining area there are several areas marked off by blue lines which are apparently graves.
My information is that the plan is to lay down a slab of concrete to preserve the history before laying the new flooring. The same flooring will be used on Phelps Parade up to but not under the new canopy and down to the new shops.
It seems a shame that the old "slabs" from wood street to the end of iceland will not be replaced as it will detract from all the good work being carried out!
the work is scheduled to be completed by the end of september (09).
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Chepfer
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It is a shame Peter, though it's the same for Phelps parade as a whole. The then (NWDC) did not want to knock the rest of phelps down for development as they believe there is another 20 years worth of life in it. Surely it'd been more cost effective to redevelope the whole site in one go !
SO i am guessing its the same old story ....... "We're saving you £9,000,000 this year" - said Wilts county, it's a shame they're not actually spending it if you ask me.
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rosco
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| Chepfer wrote: | It is a shame Peter, though it's the same for Phelps parade as a whole. The then (NWDC) did not want to knock the rest of phelps down for development as they believe there is another 20 years worth of life in it. Surely it'd been more cost effective to redevelope the whole site in one go !
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Maybe more cost effective averaged out on a price per square foot basis, but the actual total cost would have been greater, and the disruption considerably more (all the shops in the Parade would have to relocate).
Although a much bigger scale, look at Bath for where they took the 'redo everything' approach with the Southgate development: the disruption to the area has been immense.
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Chepfer
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We'll agre to disagree ther Rosco :)
In 20 years timw when the main section of Phelps needs knocking down and rebuilding, it wont cost under 20 million as it would now .... it'll cost nearer 100 million and ther'll be 2 lots of disruptions as opposed just the one.
Just out of curiosity, what does everyone think of the new building that is going up ?
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Peter Dolman
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it looks just like countless other buildings going up all over the country. personally not that impressed.
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Chepfer
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I have to agree peter, it looks rather bland doesnt it, though it'll look better when all the glass goes in on the ground floor.
I actualy sit next the guy who designed it at work and have to hold back a little. Though they know my feelings of current architecture practices ...... For me it all looks like the 60's stuff all over again ... you know, the stuff we all hate and despise now !
Personally Georgian architecture looks fantastic, even the imitation stuff ..... and it'll look good for years to come.
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Biggles
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looks nearly as bad as the new housing on Anchor road opposite the Rec on the old roofing place
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Chepfer
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I've not seen that yet and i'm derading seeing it from what you say !
Bring back the roman empire ....... they know how to build lol !
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rosco
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Bath's Southgate does go in for this mock-Georgian look (concrete structure with facia applied) - I'm not sure it's necessary the best way to go for Calne though, would like to see the finished Phelps Parade before giving a definite opinion.
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Peter Dolman
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fynamore school is another example of blandness, its a replica of school buildings all over the country.
it would appear that individuality is no longer valued, shame.
anchor road is on par with stokes croft neither would win any medals in my humble opinion.
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Chepfer
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What bothers me a little is the lack of inspiration and the control of everything in so much detail, that it has everyone scared to do anything different.
When future generations look back on us and comment it'll be the council houses and 60's concrete boxes that'll be remembered and even now, it seems that architects want to create these boxes with a dash of timber.
For some of "Todays" inspiration, have a look at [url]www.fosterandpartners.com [/url]
Though he's one of the greatest architects of our time, most of his work is done abroad !!!!
Take a look at his projects file and enjoy !
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Bonnie
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Has anybody heard anything else about the new shops in phelps parade?
Can anyone tell me where on the internet I can find details regarding leasing etc?
The new baby shop on beach terrace looks really good, might start visiting it soon!!
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Peter Dolman
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what type of leasing are you looking at and what is the asset you are considering leasing?
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