Oswestry21

D day tomorrow. Decision or Deferral? After two years of debate since the Town Council/OCA Smithfield shambles first came to light, during which Oswestry has become encircled by Tesco in every neighbouring town,  the Strategic Planning Committee meets at the Lion Quays tomorrow afternoon to decide whether Oswestry is to become another clone town/ghost town and become one of the last to clamber aboard the sinking ship of supermarket over-provision, or whether it can have some self belief in its own economy and community and offer the rare opportunity to inhabitants and visitors alike to experience what it is to be a market town.

All the current applications were visualised in a very different economic climate to that which we are now experiencing. All are based on a need argument set out by Nathaniel Lichfield Partners which have been steadily and incrementally reduced since 2007 to a shadow of their initial findings. Petrol costs are rising, food miles and local food issues are now common components of newspaper articles and news items. And realisation that true leakage is the leakage from the local economy created by supermarkets is now common knowledge.

All the applications facing the Strategic Planning Committee are either far too large or too far out of town, or both. All will affect the town, independent traders, the community, and drain the local economy. Until real need in the form of sensible creation of employment land for real long term and decently paid jobs and the subsequent building of housing in the locality is in place, there is no need for further supermarket presence in a small market town that already has Sainsburys, ALDI, Morrisons, M & S; S, Iceland, and the various other outlets that provide food retail that have opened recently.

Here’s to a sane and pragmatic decision to either refuse all four applications or to defer a decision until such time as scale is appropriate to need. The desperation evidenced by developers in recent days says far more about their need to make the bucks than it does about any consideration for the town’s need to continue as an economic community.

Twist or bust.

With many thanks to Mr Keeff, Katie, Steven Jones and James MacGregor, and major thanks to Joyce for arranging it. Very much appreciated, and enjoyed hearing music from the Wrexham scene. Thanks to all.

With the imminent date for some kind of decision on the Oswestry supermarket situation looming on the horizon - March 18th - the coalition of OS21, Civic Society, CPRE and the Chamber of Trade are orchestrating a poster campaign around the town, and also a leaflet drop by Royal Mail which will be delivered to all households in the SY11-1 and 2 postal districts.

The posters will raise awareness of the campaign, and the leaflets will provide information about the consequences for the town centre and it’s economy if Oswestry were to have another supermarket and part of it will form an addressed objection letter that will require and address and a signature - and a stamp. 7,500 leaflets will be delivered.

The pace is hotting up as March 18th approaches, but it’s likely that any decision will lead to a long period of appeals and possible judicial review, so this looks likely to be one battle in a long war. The consequences of excess supermarket development are visible in town centres everywhere, and for anyone who doubts it, they might like to take the short trip to Wrexham and walk down the unfortunately named Hope Street now Eagles Meadow has landed.

We will also put the objection letter on this site this week under a tab on the bar above which will be downloadable and printable.

It’s a crossroads for this town - it can be one of the few towns to not opt for supermarket retail supremacy, and forge a workable and viable 21st century identity for itself, or one of the last to settle for selling it’s retail economy down the river and becoming a town centre of boarded shop fronts. Address and sign your objection letter, talk about the issue with friends and family and ask them to do the same.

For every £1 spend on food in supermarkets, just 8p goes to the farmers

Five large retail chains account for 80% of food sold in the UK

Around 2000 independent convenience stores disappear every year, more than 5 a day

Research shows that 50% of turnover from local retailers is returned to the local economy. Large retailers may return as little as 5% to the local economy

(Countryside Alliance)

Meet your councillors at their drop in session. Why not make the most of the opportunity and get your views across? Democracy in action!

Cllr Hunt, Cllr Benyon and Cllr Bennett

Saturday 13th February 2010

Oswestry Library

War on Want - Fight Supermarket Power Conference

For anyone who is interested and can make it to London on Sat 27th February, this could be a useful event. Let us know if you are going - it would maybe make transport issues easier, and Oswestry representation would be good, as would feedback. Thanks.

Details of next OS21 meeting posted under the relevant button above.

You are invited to a COMMUNITY CONFERENCE exploring food sustainability and solidarity between farmers in Wales and Africa, organised by Dolen Ffermio in collaboration with Llanfyllin High School and Welsh Assembly Gold Star Communities Project

Dolen Ffermio (Farming Link)

THE REAL COST OF FOOD

Saturday, 12^th December 2009

Theatre Llwyn, Llanfyllin High School, Llanfyllin, Powys

Programme

Registration: free. Lunch: £5.

Contact Emyr Owen (01938 811299) or Lorna Brown (01691 648709)

www.dolen-ffermio.org.uk                                      Registered charity no. 1124195