Save New Barnet:

www.newbarnet.org.uk

Please see the website for all the details about this campaign.

John.

Our local high street in New Barnet is under threat from Tesco and ASDA, who are both trying to get planning permission for huge developments which will suffocate our town centre. There is already a large and highly profitable Sainsbury's on the high street, so we don't need more 'choice' (well, Heinz Beans and own-brand goods from Tesco or ASDA aren't THAT different from Heinz Beans and own-brand goods from Sainsbury's, are they?).

As part of its plans, Tesco are currently trying to gobble up shops along the Victorian high street, which they will demolish to build their giant 24 hour superstore. They really are the Terminators of British retail.

Our area needs more family homes, but both developments would see several stories of 1/2 bedroom flats above the stores, apparently at the behest of the borough council, even though there are many unlet flats of this type in the area.

We've set up a 'Save New Barnet' campaign to oppose the developments and share our Vision for New Barnet, a document which shows how our town centre can be regenerated without demolishing it. We might be fighting two of the biggest organisations in the world, but we think there's a better way to breath new life into our cherished local high street.

Please help to protect our small shops and support us at http://www.newbarnet
.org.uk

I couldn't be more in support of ASDA and Tesco moving in.

I laughed at East Barnet Road being called our High Street

There are no independent butchers or greengrocers around who would be put out of business by these giants, unlike some of the areas where the supermarkets will be effecting independant business.

Instead they will regenerate the area, will be forced to spend tens of thousands of pounds on community projects and on the nearby parks.

provide parking and convenience, and rid us of several less then pleasant premises in the area


BRING IN THE BULLDOZERS

Ste. You don't know what you're talking about. If you think traffic gridlock and eight storey buildings on the edge of the green belt is regeneration, you need your head testing.

You say you live in Barnet, so I presume you don't live near enough the scheme for it to affect you. But next time you drive home from the supermarket, think of the poor people who live along Victoria Road and surrounding streets whose houses are now blighted by the scheme (they know they are because Tesco even had the cheek to tell them so!), and who will be virtual prisoners in their street because of the traffic.

If you like traffic jams and ugly retail parks, perhaps you should go and live in the middle of Brent Cross, and leave New Barnet to those who appreciate living in a low-rise community.

Incidentally, Section 106 money might not necessarily be spent on our community - in many cases, it's used to benefit other areas in the borough, as the local council sees fit. But you're so well-informed, I'm sure you knew that, hey?

Ste, Barnet.

No-one thinks East Barnet Road should stay the same - I think everyone in New Barnet agrees that it needs investment after years of neglect by our borough council (although actually, the only derelict properties in the parade are those owned by Tesco!)

The Save New Barnet campaign wants things to get better too - we just don't think we need the likes of ASDA and Tesco to do it. But we think there is another way - that the centre of New Barnet can be invested in, and repaired and improved without pulling it down.

Why not come along to the Community Consultation on Saturday 19th July between 10am and 4pm at the New Barnet Community Centre, 48/50 Victoria Road?

You can share your views and see the Vision for New Barnet (which was inspired by the community's suggestions at the Public Meeting in March). You'd be very welcome.

Michael.

Save New Barnet:
www.newbarnet.org.uk

What Ste also fails to understand is that my NHS dentist will be pulled down along with the post office and lots of small businesses to make way for Tesco. Michael is right; improving New Barnet doesn't mean destroying what is already there. There is definitely an alternative to these superstore proposals.

My guess is that Ste is in fact the nonsense writer who writes in under other people's tags in order to spread mischief and misinformation. It's got his/her tone.