Eastleigh Rec under threat

Sainsbury's intend to build on the right - 500b sq metres.

Eastleigh Rec really is under threat, because it would appear that the council has every intention of going ahead with the full Sainsbury's development.

The main concerns are as follows ;-

1. Loss of Recreation space.
2. The effect on other Traders in the Town when we already have so many empty shops in the Town. Would new Traders  want to take these shops  with the wider range of goods being sold by Sainsbury’s if Traders and feel they can trade successfully?
3. Traffic generation. [This coupled with the re-location of the Civic Offices to Eastleigh House another move which I oppose] will create considerable difficulties for traffic movements and parking.
4. Air quality in an area which already has an air quality problem.
5. Loss of the pedestrian space between the store and the shops between Market Street and High Street.
6. The effect on the Market, which will have to be closed during the reconstruction.
7. I am sure that there will be many more.

It is strongly felt that unless a very positive case is make by a very large number of people in the Town this application is more likely than not to be approved.

You may remember that several years ago the Council wanted to build flats on Grantham Green a very strong campaign was launched and the Council backed down.   In the case of Sainsbury’s I think this is unlikely as I feel certain that it is an initiative negotiated and supported by the Council. 

It is most important, therefore, that we do the following:

[a] Muster a large public rally on the Recreation Ground.[with appropriate Media cover]

[b] Enlist the regular help of the Press, T.V. and Radio

[c] Get individual people to write to the Council.

[d] Get a petition signed particularly by local people.

[e] Lobby your Local Councillors regularly.

[f]  Try to put up Posters on Private property [you may be told to take them down but this just attracts more publicity]