Holy Cross - latest proposals
Printed From: Chalfont St Peter
Category: Chalfont St Peter
Forum Name: Holy Cross Development
Forum Description: All posts about the developemnt of the Holy Cross site
URL: https://www.chalfontstpeter.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6495
Printed Date: 24 April 2024 at 5:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Holy Cross - latest proposals
Posted By: Number42
Subject: Holy Cross - latest proposals
Date Posted: 30 September 2011 at 9:12am
|
There hasn't been much comment on the forum about the latest (alternative) proposals from Arrowcroft for development of the Holy Cross site.
I know the parish council and SENSE support it, since it is better than the initial plan from Gerald Eve and better matches the preferences expressed in the village survey, particularly in respect of huge improvements to the school/academy.
There are some reservations about the thought of a supermarket, but overall I think it will be an improvement for the village, having the area opened up for public access. Now the Chamber of Commerce have come out in favour of the Arrowcroft proposals - here is their statement:
The Chalfont St Peter Chamber of Commerce welcomes the concept proposed by Arrowcroft. This concept is far more sympathetic to the concerns voiced by the residents of Chalfont St Peter when compared with the Gerald Eves plan. With adequate planning and consultation with local businesses, we are hopeful that the additional 100 new homes will translate into increased business for the majority of businesses in the Village. The management of walkways, parking and pedestrian and vehicular access will prove crucial to ensuring a productive and smooth flow of people, cars and resources around and through the site. We are not opposed, in principle, to a new supermarket but we also appreciate that the addition of a supermarket will concern some people about the future of many of our village shops and this is something that must be addressed in terms of the consents, permissions and/or restrictions placed on the supermarket. Clearly further consultation will have to be undertaken in this regard. For example, it is understood that the proposed supermarket will be a ‘food only’ store of a certain size. We understand that the proposed benefits of a new store are that it will help retain, and hopefully increase, the number of local residents shopping in the village. It should also attract new customers from neighbouring villages and towns. These new customers will have a chance to sample the individuality of our independent shops which they may not otherwise be made aware of. However, there is always the risk that the supermarket, particularly as it is to be screened off from Market Place by the existing trees, will deter these increased shoppers from venturing out of the supermarket. On balance, our committee is encouraged by the prospect of this development. We are committed to work closely with the Parish Council and other local groups to ensure that the development retains, as closely as possible, the village feel & ethos. Should you wish to contact the Chamber of Commerce to discuss your views please feel free to contact us on: mailto:president@cspchamber.co.uk - president@cspchamber.co.uk All the best. Regards Nathan Mincham ------------- That's the answer - what's the question? |
Replies:
Posted By: born and bred
Date Posted: 30 September 2011 at 4:28pm
|
We all haver to be realists. There will be a development in the village.
The recent scheme from Arrowcroft seems at first glance reasonable.
As regards the supermarket,it could prove a decent alternative to Tesco.
The improvement for the local schooling is vital.
------------- local born and bred |
Posted By: Bucks Fizz
Date Posted: 09 October 2011 at 8:43pm
|
One of my concerns is that Tesco's GX store was supposed to be 'food only', yet I recently saw kindles for sale in there (no, not Kinder eggs, but electronic kindles).
|
Posted By: Exp. Interiors
Date Posted: 28 October 2011 at 1:23pm
|
You're absolutely right. We need to ensure that it does stay that way 'if' this development gets off the ground. ------------- Expression Interiors Ltd - Kitchen Design and Installation For free quotation please call: 01753 884041 Email: nathan@expressioninteriors.co.uk |
Posted By: phisch21
Date Posted: 26 January 2012 at 5:03pm
|
So now they are considering a Catholic Free School on the site - just what we need, bus loads of school children coming to CSP from far and wide. Is there any truth in this? Surely the Arrowcroft makes more sense and benefits the local community more than this hair brained proposal http://www.buckinghamshireadvertiser.co.uk/south-buckinghamshire-news/local-buckinghamshire-advertiser-news/2012/01/26/free-school-set-for-holy-cross-site-82398-30205718/ - http://www.buckinghamshireadvertiser.co.uk/south-buckinghamshire-news/local-buckinghamshire-advertiser-news/2012/01/26/free-school-set-for-holy-cross-site-82398-30205718/ |
Posted By: lesleyr
Date Posted: 27 January 2012 at 10:45pm
| Can I ask why you think this is a hair brained proposal ? |
Posted By: hissing sid
Date Posted: 27 January 2012 at 10:53pm
|
My thoughts also, it had been a Catholic school for years. Whats changed? ------------- Hissing Sid It's a free country, adopt whatever PC stance you want. Just don't tell me which stance I should take just because it clashes with your opinion. |
Posted By: Bucks Fizz
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 8:05am
| I agree. Since we have a major Catholic parish church - St Joe's, and also its school, we have a sizeable Catholic community. Anyone know if the proposed school is to be a secondary school which St Joe's would feed into, or is it to replace or supplement the current junior school? Either way, it seems reasonable to me. We could do a whole lot worse. |
Posted By: Bucks Fizz
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 8:10am
| Ah, just read the article properly. It is indeed proposed to be a secondary shcool. That is a loical adjunct to the feeder school, St Joe's. It means the Catholic children in the village and around won't have to be bussed out to Catholic secondaries. It won't discriminate against non Catholics but it will offer parents of local kids a choice. It might offer excellence. There is a demand for this. The Community college is ok but it's massive. |
Posted By: EmmaO
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 8:17am
| I think this is very interesting indeed. Given that we have recently had news that school places are going to be hard to find by 2020 this would make sense. I'm interested to see more. I've only been here a few years, what made the last catholic school there close? Was it lack of demand or just run down so the site could be developed. |
Posted By: Bucks Fizz
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 8:22am
| You may get some emotive replies on this one. I didn't have anyone at the school myself, but parents who did tell me the Swiss order of nuns running it decided suddenly to shut down and retreat to Switzerland (I know others will correct me if I'm wrong). They apparently sold off the site at a significant profit to developers. One mother told me her daughters came home at end of Christmas term with a letter saying 'we're now closed, you'll need to send your daughters elsewhere from early January'. This prompted a panic, as it is almost impossible to find places just days before the new term starts. One outraged parent allegedly saw the Mother superior in the street and threw a tin of paint over her. One of the teachers at the school confirmed to me they'd been taken by surprise at the decsion as much as the parents and pupils had. By all accounts however, it was a very good school with happy pupils. Tough luck on those about to take crucial exams. |
Posted By: Anita
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 9:16am
| I have to admit that I thought the school had given the parents a years notice to find alternative schools and also I am under the impression that the School is still owned by the Swiss nuns and will be sold once the planning permission is decided. Still very sad to see a wonderful school site empty. |
Posted By: EmmaO
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 11:12am
| Thanks. Very interesting to know some of the history. I have met one of the nuns still living in the new accommodation but clearly didn't ask!! |
Posted By: phisch21
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 12:37pm
Bus loads of children coming from far and wide. Given the number of cars at St Joseph's church on a Sunday morning it owuld seem the majority of Catholics do live locally. |
lesleyr wrote:Posted By: lesleyr
Date Posted: 28 January 2012 at 3:54pm
| I understand that the descision to close the school was due to a number of factors.it was a descision that was not in the hands of the nuns who were still at the convent i knew someone who worked there at the time of its closure and the parents of children were given 2 1/2 terms notice. As for the buses we would have these whether they are picking children up to go to other schools or to drop them off for a school in chalfont. I dont actually see the difference between a new school or chalfont academy taking over the site the numbers of children going to the school will be dictated by the size of the site and anything else they decide to build there. |
Posted By: born and bred
Date Posted: 29 January 2012 at 5:59pm
|
The school did give notice but it was still a big shock. My daughter went there 20 0dd years ago and was very happy there. There is a big demand for a Catholic secondary school which also caters for other religions. The site would be perfect. The local Catholic church has many followers and holds 5 services every Sunday which gives you an indication of the potential demand. Let's all hope regardless of which school finally gets the ok that it gets built and gets up and running soon. ------------- local born and bred |
Posted By: Yorkie
Date Posted: 14 April 2012 at 3:34pm
| Does anyone know what the latest is with the propposed development? |
Posted By: big baggles
Date Posted: 19 April 2012 at 9:33pm
|
is the firm interested ?
------------- need a stella and i need one now ! |
Posted By: Malc London
Date Posted: 26 April 2012 at 5:14pm
PRESS RELEASE 16th APRIL 2012
CHALFONT Chalfont St Peter Parish Chalfont St Peter Parish Council allege that Chiltern District Council failed to In addition to the Judicial Review Chalfont St Peter Parish Council are also challenging The District Council's Core Strategy which they allege also fails to properly grapple with the educational issues in the area. Vice Chairman Cllr Richard Allen who has been coordinating both legal challenges said "Almost every concern we raised earlier in the planning process was ignored. |
Posted By: oldchris
Date Posted: 26 April 2012 at 11:49pm
|
good stuff.
------------- stop HS2. |
Posted By: Rich Kid
Date Posted: 07 August 2012 at 3:28pm
|
Is there any truth in what I heard - that an American religious organisation, the Mormons & Scientologists were mentioned, were interested in acquiring the site? |