Waitrose expansion
Store bids to increase its size by a third
by Pete Bennett and Rita Knowles
WAITROSE has submitted a planning application to increase the size of its Berkhamsted store by almost a third.
Under the proposals a 655 sq metre extension would be built onto the north-eastern side of the existing store, yet just five new parking spaces would be created.
A report accompanying the planning application claims extending the store is necessary to ‘ensure it remains competitive and attractive to our customers’.
However chairman of Berkhamsted Chamber of Commerce Ron Cowie said he was concerned about the increase in traffic the extension might bring.
“Anything which increases the traffic in Berkhamsted further would have a detrimental effect on the town,” he said.
“My first reaction is that I don’t think we have any need to increase the size of Waitrose. I think it’s big enough already.”
Mr Cowie added: “The shop already attracts a lot of business to the town centre as it is. I cannot see how they are going to cope with the increase in parking.”
Waitrose claims a bigger store would account for no more than a five per cent increase in new customers driving to the store.
Also according to a survey included in its report, Waitrose claims that following an initial increase in ‘footfall’ (people walking in the town) since the store opened in 1996, numbers have subsequently declined in the second quarter of 2004.
However Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby of Berkhamsted Town Council said: “We do not have exact figures, but the fact that new shops are opening and from observing the number of shoppers in the high street, it is difficult to say whether there has been a decrease in footfall.” The planning application report also says Waitrose’s main competitor - the reduced Tesco Metro store - should be regarded as a ‘basket’ or ‘top-up’ store and not for bulky purchases. The Waitrose plans would lead to five additional full-time employees and 21 extra part-timers being taken on.
Meet the troubleshooters
by Abena Bailey
New officials set to help improve towns
A £40,000 grant for Tring and Berkhamsted has enabled them to employ trouble-shooting officers to help improve the towns over the next 12 months.
Rachel Edmonds has been appointed Berkhamsted community project officer and Jane Randrup is working for Tring.
Most of the money comes from The Countryside Agency, which two years set up ‘community partnerships’ in Berkhamsted and Tring.
The partnerships are designed to support market towns across the East of England that are sometimes shortchanged compared to their more modern neighbouring towns.
In Berkhamsted projects in the pipeline include improving the town’s toilet facilities and children play areas.
The community partnership has also highlighted the need to promote the heritage of the town to visitors; establishing planning guidance for shop frontages and installing CCTV in Berkhamsted.
The Tring project has prioritised the improvement of the gateway to Tring and is supporting the local history museum.
The community partnership also supports the refurbishment of the Brook Street market and farmer’s market and plans to improve planting in the town centre and promote and manage walking and cycle trails.
The troubleshooting pair will co-ordinate local projects by helping the community partnerships get external funding and by setting up working parties.
Rachel and Jane are also hoping to encourage residents to join the community partnerships and work on projects they are concerned about.
If you want to join the Berkhamsted Community Partnership call Rachel Edmonds, on 01442 228965 or email rachel.edmonds@dacorum.gov.uk
To contact Tring officer Jane Randrup call 01442 828920 or email jane.randrup@dacorum. gov.uk.
Dacorum Borough Council regeneration projects officer Maria Bavetta explained: “All the people concerned about particular issues can now work on them together.
“Weight of public participation will identify need and strengthen applications for funding.”
Coffee time
COFFEE lovers in Berkhamsted will have a new haunt this week with the opening for business of a Costa Coffee store in the High Street.
The store, located next to the recently-opened Ottackar’s bookshop, will open on Thursday February 24.
There will be an official opening on March 3 when Tanzanian Fairtrade Coffee farmer Novatus Tiigelerwa will discuss the importance of Fairtrade.
Store owner Paul Messenger said: “March the first sees the start of Fairtrade Fortnight and we use Fairtrade products, so it’s quite nice to support it.”
In the meantime, doubts still remain over whether the business has the correct council planning consent.
Council spokeswoman Sara Hamilton said: “The use is now unclear. Planning officers will need to establish whether it’s a shop with a café, as the owners claim, or a café with a shop.”
Film base bid to keep buildings
THE Berkhamsted-based British Film Institute Archive is applying for planning permission to retain some of its temporary buildings.
The John Paul Getty Jr Film Conservation Centre on Kingshill Way is applying for the retention of four portakabins used for staff accommodation and a larger temporary storage facility.
Spokesperson for the Centre, Lucy Skipper, said: “The buildings have been there for six years and because they are temporary we need to have permission re-granted.” Lucy claimed the institute was confident of the success of the applications.
She added: “At present we are only looking at these as temporary applications, but we have a range of options for permanent buildings to look at for the long term, but nothing currently.”
She also claimed that there would no risk to any jobs at the Centre regardless of the outcome of the application.
Saddle up support for cyclists
CYCLISTS in Berkhamsted are being invited to join the re-formed cycling campaign at the next meeting of the group on Monday.
At the meeting to be held at a member’s house at 8pm, a strategy will be formed to get people of all ages back on their bikes in Berkhamsted.
New members can help out with the campaign as little or as much as they like within the group formed after Christmas. Those who want to get more involved can lobby the local council, while others can support the move in less active ways. The group plans to hold social rides and lessons around the area and organise other activities to bring cyclists in the area together. For more information contact Danny Bonnett on 01442 873244.
Models of cool take to the catwalk
PUPILS at one Berkhamsted private school put on their glad rags to raise more than £500 for charity. The fashion show by the nursery and pre-prep department at Egerton-Rothesay School last Thursday was held to support the Asian tsunami appeal. More than 70 parents and children packed into the school hall on Durrants Lane paying £5 for the privilege of watching and taking part. About 30 seven-year-olds became models for the event - many for the first time - and thoroughly enjoyed strutting their stuff in front of proud parents and friends.
They flaunted their own clothes on the catwalk dressing in their favourite and most imaginative outfits.
The audience enjoyed a full show featuring Batman outfits, rocker gear and girls in their prettiest dresses.
Berkhamsted – resident’s revolt
by Pete Bennett
A BERKHAMSTED woman is taking a stand against TV licensing inspectors who are determined to search her property – even though she doesn’t own a television.
Despite not having a TV set in her home for more than six years, Anne Duvall of Bank Mill Lane, has received several letters reminding that she renew her TV licence.
She said: “I keep on writing back saying I don’t have a TV. Their letters are always extremely rude, offensive and with a threatening tone.”
Last week Anne received a letter to say an enquiry officer would be calling round to inspect her premises.
“They don’t seem to understand that there are people who can live without television. Why do they need to check?” said Anne, who informed TV Licensing that she would not allow anyone to search her property unless they had a search warrant.
She said: “It’s a matter of principle. I’m not allowing them in my house after six years of being harassed, because I don’t have a TV set.”
Under English law an enquiry officer does not have the right to enter your home without your permission and to do so would constitute trespass.
However, a TV Licensing spokesperson said: “We would encourage Mrs Duvall to co-operate with our enquiries so that we can confirm that she does not need a TV licence and can therefore minimise future contact with her.”
They also claim that more than half of those people who claimed not to use a television in the last year were found to be in possession of one when their homes were checked.
Once the check is carried out TV licensing officers say there will be no further letter for three years.
The spokesperson added: “A brief visit is a much more cost-effective way for us to verify whether someone requires a TV licence or not, and can be far less intrusive for people who genuinely don’t possess a TV than parking a detector van outside.”
Despite this claim, Anne is adamant that no-one will be allowed into her home unless they go to court to get a search warrant.
She said: “I remember when we used to have dog licences. “They didn’t send people round to check for dog hairs if you said you didn’t have one! “They are making people feel like criminals.”
A house too far in garden
PLANS to build a new four-bedroom home in the back garden of a Berkhamsted property have been thrown out by councillors.
Members of Dacorum Borough Development Control Committee decided at a recent meeting that the new home in Garden Field Lane would have an adverse affect on nearby properties. The plans included splitting the garden of 3, Field Lane to create room for a new house to back onto Fieldway.
“I’m certainly not very happy with this application,” Councillor Derek Townsend said at the meeting.
“It would have an adverse impact on houses in the area,” he added.
In his view the design was ‘inappropriate’ and the building the new home would lead to ‘over-development’. Councillors voted 10 to one to refuse planning permission.
Praise for hospice
WOULD-be Tory MP David Gauke has praised the work of the Hospice of St Francis after paying them a visit last week.
He said: “Speaking to patients, it is really clear that they really appreciate the care and attention provided by the Hospice of St Francis.” Mr Gauke was also happy that the hospice had got the go-ahead to move from its current site on Shrublands Road to a new site in Shootersway.
He said: “I am delighted that the hospice has the green light for the move to bigger premises. However, fundraising is going to be vital and I wish the hospice well in meeting their target of raising the required capital of £2.5 million.”
Parking reprieve
A DISABLED Blue badge holder has thanked The Gazette for helping her get a parking fine cancelled. Georgina Bentley, 75, of Billet Lane was told it would take up to 10 days to get the £60 fine rescinded. She faced the penalty after parking in Berkhamsted High Street. Mrs Bentley said: “My sister received a letter the day after it appeared in the paper. It makes you think.” Mrs Bentley also said she worried about the number of Blue Badge holders who were receiving fines.
Top of the pizza pops
PAPA John’s pizza, which has a store on Berkhamsted High Street, has been named Delivery Operator of the Year. The Pizza, Pasta and Italian Foods Association made the announcement after conducting extensive visits of stores nation-wide. Berkhamsted Store franchisee Shaun Karue thanked his customers for the part they had played in the award.
Lots on offer at school auction
A PROMISES auction is being held in a bid to raise cash for Ashlyns School in Berkhamsted.
The event on Friday, March 4 already has 60 impressive ‘lots’ on offer and organisers are hoping to increase the total to 100.
Rugby fans are well catered for with a ball signed by winning England captain Martin Johnson, a signed Wasps rugby ball and a pair of tickets for the International Rugby Sevens match at Twickenham in May all on offer.
Other lots range from meals at restaurants to a trial flying lesson.
Of special interest might be the day for one at Champneys Health Resort. Holidays include a week’s use of an apartment in Italy, or a week in a cottage in the Lake District.
Or maybe you fancy a hot air balloon flight or two tickets for the Green Day concert at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes in June.
The auction, organised by the Ashlyns School Association, will pay for school equipment. One of the organisers, Corinne Fleming said: “We also want to attract over 100 people to the event.”
Tickets are £6, including a fish and chip supper (or £4.50 if the vegetarian supper is selected) and are available from the school office.
Registration and viewing with a complimentary glass of wine is at 7.30pm followed by supper at 8pm. The auction will commence at 8.30pm
