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RDA offers to meet Morlands protestors
07 January 2009
The South West RDA has offered to meet representatives of
protestors occupying a dangerous derelict building in Glastonbury
to explain why it has to be demolished.
At the end of last year the Agency announced it needed to
demolish the red brick buildings at the Morlands development site
because of serious concerns for the safety of young people who have
been breaking into it in recent months.
Early Monday morning (January 5), a small group of protestors
broke into the building and occupied it to prevent the planned
start of demolition.
Yesterday (Tuesday, January 6) a South West RDA representative
visited the site and offered to arrange a meeting with
representatives of the protestors to explain the Agency's serious
safety concerns about the building, the extensive consultation
carried out over the course of several years in preparation for the
Morlands development, and why demolition is the only reasonable
option.
The building sits on a part of the Morlands site that is to be
developed by Urban Splash. A number of listed historic buildings at
Morlands will be preserved and restored as part of the wider
development.
Carl Budden, head of regeneration at the South West RDA, said:
"We understand that some members of the community would like to see
these buildings kept but the health and safety of local people has
to be our priority.
"Tuesday morning (January 6) we were on site and offered to
arrange a meeting with representatives of the group to explain why
we believe that demolition is the only reasonable course of action.
This building is in a dangerous state of repair and, as it is very
difficult to keep such an open site totally secure, it therefore
poses a serious risk to members of the public.
"We have already spoken with Mendip District Council, who
understand why we have to take this course of action, and have also
consulted with Somerset County Council and Glastonbury Town
Council. We believe that further consultation now would only serve
to prolong this serious risk to the public.
"As well as the clear safety issues, demolition of these
buildings is also an important step in moving forward with the
redevelopment of the wider Morlands site.
"We want this to be resolved amicably and hope that the
protestors will leave the site once they fully understand the
danger in the building and that demolition is our only realistic
option. We have explored every other possibility and have to
conclude that none is financially or practically viable."
The safety concerns have been acknowledged by the local
authorities. When the South West RDA announced its plans to
demolish the building, Councillor Harvey Siggs, Leader of Mendip
District Council, said: "We are sorry to see this part of the
history of the Morlands site disappear. However, we recognise that
safety is of paramount concern in these circumstances.
"It is more essential to recognise and welcome the RDA's
commitment to bringing the more important historic listed Baily's
Buildings back into use along with the redevelopment of the rest of
the site."
Ends
For more information call Sue Dawson at Spirit Public Relations
on 0117 944 1415 or email sdawson@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1) The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery.
Ben Murch
Account manager
tel: 0117 944 1415
mob: 07528 358 587
email: bmurch@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk