I FIND it disturbing that cash-strapped local authorities are increasingly turning towards speculative developments to raise money to finance public services.
Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) has fallen into this trap by proposing to finance the construction of a hotel at Firepool and by the redevelopment of Coal Orchard.
The leader of the council, in a previous County Gazette article, stated: “TDBC is taking a much more commercial and business-like approach to its operations ... so that it can generate income in the face of public funding cuts and so support the local economy and the wider community.”
This is a dangerous path to follow and one that presents huge financial risks. Local authorities in the past have facilitated development by providing the infrastructure and support to enable the private sector to invest and build.
READ MORE: Council defers decision over Firepool hotel plan
Occasionally, local authorities invested in building projects but only when the investment led to general economic and social gain - small serviced workspaces and affordable housing being examples.
However, the council’s plan to invest public money in the construction of a hotel for a multi-national hotel chain is not only financially risky but morally reprehensible.
Is it right for a council to subsidise the profits of a four-star hotel when homeless people sleep in the streets and the young cannot afford to buy a house?
A hotel could be built on the Firepool site - with council funding
In last week’s letter defending the council’s hotel scheme (‘Silent majority ignored over Firepool’, Postbag, July 19), Councillor Peter Watson says: “I have seen many times the silent majority of the people of Taunton being disregarded for the benefit of the noisy minority ...”
I would say to Councillor Watson that the reaction to the Coal Orchard development suggests the ‘silent’ majority are only silent because they are unaware of what is happening.
If they knew what the council was doing in their name, they would soon become the ‘noisy majority’ and reject the council’s proposals.
READ MORE: 1,000 sign petition against Coal Orchard redevelopment plan
When councils embark on property development for the clear aim of making a profit, the needs of the community tend to get forgotten.
This is happening in Coal Orchard.
The council’s own policy for the area set out in ‘Taunton Rethink’ stressed that any new development should contribute to the creation of a unique area – a ‘cultural quarter’ surrounding the Brewhouse Theatre and arts centre.
The council could have cautiously pursued these objectives, gradually improving the area as funding became available.
Affordable housing should have been included to improve the social mix of the area and provide an opportunity for first time buyers.
Instead, Taunton gets a highly speculative scheme of high-end flats, gym and restaurants resulting in a loss of 78 town-centre car park spaces.
This is a vanity project from a failing administration. It is unsympathetic, uninspiring, unrealistic, unworkable, uneconomic and unwelcome.
MARTIN PAKES
Coal Orchard
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