AGM 2011 Chairmans report

AGM Ludlow Civic Society — Chairman’s Report 11th May 2011
Committee Activities
The Committee has met each month, to consider matters of interest.
We were saddened by the death of David Leeson, who along with Dan Lloyd had been helping to update our website
Planning
We are represented on the Ludlow Conservation Area Advisory committee and provide ours views on significant developments
Our sub committee meets as necessary and submits written comment on planning applications where we are concerned about the proposals.
The major issue this year has been the application to build 5 houses to the rear of 9/10 King Street.
As you doubtless know we have led the opposition to this unwanted development, and were supported by 200 objections from members of the public, all the local interested bodies, and a number of nationally respected figures.
Without giving a blow by blow account of what happened, the final result was the approval given by the Strategic Planning Committee.
However all was not lost, and through the Stop the Blot Campaign and by supporting the Church’s claim on wall ownership and making it clear that the mass objection continued , the Developer has not yet proceeded with the purchase of the land, and the signs are that he has cold feet!!
Behind the scenes we have met with representatives of Shropshire Council and jointly made an offer to buy the land from the original owner. Negotiations are underway but are complicated by the existing option agreement with Andrew Sheldon which apparently finally expires early in July.
We will be contacting all our members to seek financial support to buy the land and will work jointly with Shropshire council to agree a suitable use for it, which could include one or two almshouses and a garden area. We are hoping that the previous pledges made will now be fulfilled.

On a wider front we have provided comment to Shropshire council regarding their Site Allocations and Management of Development report and this was consistent with the general views of Ludford Parish council and Ludlow Town Council which favoured protecting the southern approaches to Ludlow.
We do not think the recent application for a touring Caravan site near to the old RAF camp on the road in from Overton contravenes that decision, it being a considerable distance out from town.
Signage
An initiative on removing and rationalising Signage in Ludlow has born some fruit, having been taken up by the Town Council, and did result in some improvements, no doubt it will need to be revisited in the future.
Website
I mentioned the Website before, but we have now invested in a totally new and up to date website, and are grateful to Dan Lloyd and Peter Burden who have made it happen. We now need to upload information and news onto it and would encourage all members to make use of it, and indeed to contribute to it in various ways. It would be very effective if we were able to communicate more via the website but are aware that not everyone wishes to do so.
The Guildhall and Buttercross
Both of these iconic buildings, owned by the Town Council, are being considered for a new role, and we are keen to be involved in the discussions.
Conservation Weekend
We have sponsored the Marquee for this event and will be promoting our DVD there. It promises to be an interesting event, including lectures by Simon Buteux, Stephen Treasure and Duncan James, together with guided walks around the Town and Church The Ludlow Festival Lecture this year is about the conservation of St. Laurence’s Church, given by Andrew Arroll and Shaun Ward it should prove of great interest.
Heritage News
The latest edition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the Town Hall was very well received and I would like to thank Stanton Stephens and his team for all their work in producing such excellent publications.
Lectures and visits
Thanks are due to Prue Bellak for her hard work in arranging such a wide range of excellent lectures.
There have been visits in conjunction with the Silk top Hat Gallery and I would draw your attention to the upcoming visit to Llangollen and Ruthin on 26th May and particularly to the planned visit to Tyntesfield on Wednesday 19th.October, arranged particularly with the Civic Society in mind.
St Laurence’s Church Vision project
We are represented on the Steering Committee which last met when the project Architect Andrew Arroll was appointed. We were very supportive of the appointment and have provided a grant to enable some initial work to proceed.
Finally
Having stood as chairman for three years it is now time to hand over the reigns!
My thanks to everyone who has helped me and the committee during that time and we look forward to your continued support.

J.E. Nash