LATEST Council’s Plans for Civic Lambasted (see below) Dave Hodgson, the Liberal Democrat Mayor
and
Leader of Bedford Council,
announced his intention
last year
to close the Civic theatre
and turn
it into council offices. We strongly oppose this decision The loss of the theatre, with no plans to replace it, will take away yet another
amenity from our town.
The council states it will cost £783,163
to turn it into council offices. We believe the final figure will be higher,
but for a fraction of that figure this grade 2 listed Victorian building can
become a great asset.
Ultimately we would like to see a theatre district here as in other towns,
but we to do this we need your help.
In May 2011 Dave Hodgson was re-elected
Mayor of Bedford and still wants to close it. Council’s Plans for Civic Lambasted
The
SOC Campaign
is delighted with Theatre Trust’s Objections Bedford's Save Our Civic Campaign has received a copy
of The Theatre Trust's Objections to the Bedford Borough
Council's Planning Applications for the conversion
of the Civic Theatre into Mayor Dave Hodgson's “One-Stop-Shop”. Commenting, Peter Davies, Save Our Civic's Press
Officer said:
“We are particularly pleased that The Theatres Trust,
like us, recognises the importance of the Civic Theatre
in the future cultural life of the town and that the
planned destruction of the Theatre will mean the loss
of a valuable cultural facility. We
note as well that the Trust points out that there is
"no justification that the Bedford Civic Theatre is
surplus to cultural requirements" within the Planning
Application. The Trust goes on to agree with us that
the destruction of the Theatre goes entirely against
the Borough Council's own policies to "Protect and
enhance
the Borough's built, cultural and community assets""
as a "destination for cultural tourism" and to ensure
that
"important cultural features are protected" as well
as being contrary to the objectives for the town within
the sub-regional strategy. We are very pleased that, like us, the Trust fails
to see "how the loss of the Bedford Civic Theatre
without alternative provision in the catchment
area can be
justified
or meet the aspirations and ambitions within [the
Council's] Core Strategy". The Trust makes it clear that the Council has no
clear understanding of the theatrical needs of
Bedford, and
like us appear to be appalled that there has still
been no consultation or a Needs Analysis. We have been saying these things all along and
the 5000 people who signed our Petition agree
with us.
Will the
Mayor continue to refuse to listen? We would urge all residents of the Borough to
write in to the Planning Department at Borough
Hall to
express their objections to the Council's
Planning Applications
as soon as possible. Dave Hodgson, Mayor,
Borough Hall,
Cauldwell Street, Bedford. MK42 9AP
01234 718840
dave.hodgson@bedford.gov.uk
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