BROADSTONE 2010 AND BEYOND

7.41.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 5th Apr 2009

Broadstone 2010 and beyond.

Over the last few months I have been thinking about the growing issues in Broadstone and how best they can be resolved, if at all. Over the years we have had piecemeal attempts at resolving traffic issues and planning approvals have put extra pressure not only on space but also on the roads. Bus services have been totally re-organised by Wilts and Dorset and this has created its own set of problems including making Broadstone a transport hub feeding into Poole and Bournemouth. Conservation areas were introduced in 2004 and these are now possibly being extended inn an attempt to preserve both our environment and historical buildings. In addition the Government has required a complete overhaul of the planning documents with the creation of Core Strategy, Local Development Framework and Site specific allocations. Even with this Broadstone is left without a coherent set of policies that would enable us to adequately plan for the future and protect Broadstone's interests.

To this end I have spent the last few weeks in discussions with a variety of council officers in an attempt to clarify possible ways forward. Very recently a group of concerned residents representing amongst others the Residents' Association, the Chamber of Trade, and Broadstone Access Group, met with me to discuss the issues and what they wanted Broadstone to be like in the years to come. Some suggestions include: improved parking facilities; more cycle racks; more attractive public space within the Broadway including better street lighting and public art; a diverse and thriving commercial centre; restoration of specific facilities including views from the war memorial and the Dell; improved street cleanliness and greater management and protection of our nature reserves and parks and a limit on the spread of blocks of flats.

This list is by no means exhaustive and some suggestions may eventually be discarded, but I would like to use this opportunity to give everyone. a chance to contribute to the discussions and development of a Broadstone Plan. If there are any improvements you would like to see, or can suggest facilities you think are needed, then please send your suggestions to me or the other group members who are listed below. Regular bulletins will be issued in the Residents Association publications to keep you informed of progress.

Cllr Mike Brooke (m,brooke@poole.gov.uk)