Wednesday, September 01, 2010

SAVE HERSTON FIELDS

Open Meeting Tonight [Weds 1st Sept] 7pm

Find out what's been happening over the last few weeks

Short talk by Dave Glassock on the geology of the fields

All Welcome

Herston Hall

Jubilee Road



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 7:40 AM

65 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read with interest the story in the Gazzette written by Jacob Pearson(?) would be nice if it was a local person telling me I dont need a bigger better medical centre. Im fed up of being told what I want and dont want especially by people who probably dont even live around here.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that Jake Pearson is able to account for himself. Thank you for a very interesting piece of journalism. At the moment lots of people who really 'don't even live around here' are telling the people of Herston, Swanage and the whole of Purbeck for that matter, what they currently need or will need by 2026. Let's start the long list for this area alone with Purbeck District Council, Scott Estate, Savills, Dorset NHS, Swanage Medical Practice, Western Design Associates...

Anonymous said...

3.27pm again

....and I should have added Prime to the list.

Anonymous said...

My point was that we do need a new medical center, and those who say we dont are misimformed- especially those from outside the area- with an ever increasing older population and more treatments available/required the present site will not suffice. I do find it slightly annoying that the said jacob pearsonmade comment about this.

David Furmage said...

Let me just verify that the person you are talking about Jacob Pearson that is. Was born in Poole Hospital , his father lives here , his brothers live here , he works here. Thou his education is at one of the best schools in Scotland and he will be following that with going to the best uni in Edinburgh to do journalism. And the fact he did this piece on his own time as a project means that he also cares about what goes on here and takes great interest about local issues.

Anyway as regards in a new health centre , we dont need one , surely it would be cheaper to do up the derelict site called " Alyesbury " oppisite the train station and have this as a add on to the health centre. The we have 2 health centre instead of ruining a perfect good field.

Just a thought!

Anonymous said...

But does he live here? I work all over the place and stay in various towns that does not make me local or to a degree the right to have a fundemental opinion on those areas.

And we do need a new medical center and urgently at that, some time renovating an old place is more expensive than a new build, trust me I know.

The point is as well whne he wrote the article he should have perhaps phrased it like "do we need a new surgery" thus giving people their own views, If the gent concerned does not live here for the majority of the year how can he know what is needed is he a FULL time registered patient? Take it from one who has familly who need constant help we need something different and soon!

David Furmage said...

Well he lives here 6 months of the year and is registered at the health centre and has a disabled step sister who is registered here. I for one are registered here along with my sons. I think we do not need a new centre. Ask me this , how are people going to get to this new centre if it was built? Would the bus comapny lay on buses to the site , would ambulances give help to the elderly to get to it aswell. Its in the centre which means it easier for everyone to use. Also with 3 chemists near by , kind of makes it easier for everyone to get to.

Anonymous said...

Health Centre: why not go up a storey?

Anonymous said...

The health centre cannot go up another storey as the existing footings are apparently inadequate. I have also heard that the land on which it stands was originally swamp. The land proposed for new building in Herston has standing water throughout the year and some areas fall within Flood Zones 2 and 3. Clearly there are no lessons to be learnt from the past.

Developers, cherry pick greenfield sites as they are easy (not Herston) to develop and offer maximum profit. This is a greedy way to build especially in an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty where land should be protected.

I wonder if an architect has looked at the health centre recently to evaluate and possibly change use of space with
a view to extending the buliding? The centre of town is
definitely the best place to base health care.

Anonymous said...

I think we do not need a new centre. Ask me this , how are people going to get to this new centre if it was built? Would the bus comapny lay on buses to the site , would ambulances give help to the elderly to get to it aswell. Its in the centre which means it easier for everyone to use. Also with 3 chemists near by ,

Interesting, how do the people in langton and herston get to the health centre? do they magically appear? that arguement is stupid due to the fact that whereever it is it is going to be near someone.
Well I am certainly glad Jacob lives here 6 months of the year he must have a great scholl only attending about 26 weeks a year wow in my day we did 38 weeks a year, anyway mute point. Another point is if the SMC was built on swamp so was the co-op station con club post office etc etc.

As I have said Im not saying Herston is the place to build it just that we need a new one.

Postman2 said...

8:13 AM
just take the roof off and build a self supporting steel structure above. The centre would operate as normal during the works and could become three times the size, (2/3 at first floor by overhanging the car park and foot paths).

Postman2 said...

or three stories even with a couple of affordable flats at the top for key staff

Postman2 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David Furmage said...

or wait until the middle school closes after going to 2 tier and use this as a medical centre along with a new hospital.

Jake Pearson said...

I, as stated, live here for a great deal of the year, work here, have lots of family and friends here and during this time have come to know the views of many people on certain things in the area. When I attended the meeting in July it was clear to me that the majority of people who actually turned up did not think Swanage needs medical centre.

But let's say that it does need a new one:
a) Why build it on the Herston Fields site when we know of the major problems this can lead to?
b) Why build it on the edge of town?

It is my personal opinion that Swanage does not need a medical centre. You may feel the opposite, but I am not dictating to you what you want and don't want. That's your choice; I've made mine based on the views of people I know from the town.

At the moment this country has a fiscal deficit of £200 billion (+). Why should Swanage be exempt to the cuts made to health funding all across the UK?

Anonymous said...

Personal opinion, uummm

It's the GP's Professional opinion that the current health centre is not fit for purpose - I'd love to see how all these people with personal opinions would react if they or a loved one got MRSA or worse because of a sub-standard Health Centre.

The GP's say that they have looked at all the alternatives and have come to the conclusion that a new Health Center is needed.

If you don't believe them, go and take some professional advice from a (reputable) Solicitor.

I'm old enough to remember D'urbeville Drive etc being built and didn't particularly like it, but it was needed.

I remember being angry about about the Benlease estate being built, but calmed down once I realised that it was needed.

The Professional say that we need a new Health Centre - talk of redevelopment is a bit Cuckoo, as it would mean totally rebuilding it. And a building that size would need Planning Permission ........

My Dad played football for Herston FC against Swanage FC and remembers the High Street as a dirt track, he of course also remembers Swanage pre Greyseed and Steer Rd.

As to flooding on Herston fields. I remember them when they were wet - but they still grew fantastic wheat.

PDC have already done some flood relief work for the Ind Est and the new plan contains more.

Change happens, sometimes the benefits outweigh the hurt.

Anonymous said...

The important word there is SOMETIMES.

Anonymous said...

Dear mr pearson are you related to Dave Furmage?

Jake Pearson said...

Yes I'm his son.

Anonymous said...

Wouldnt the Mowlem make a good (converted) Health Centre? Doesnt seem to be fully used for much else.

Anonymous said...

Post at 6.13pm states 'I'd love to see how all these people with personal opinions would react if they or a loved one got MRSA or worse because of a sub-standard Health Centre.'

However, given that MRSA contamination is always due to a lack of adequate hygiene I would suggest that, unless SMC is without basic facilities to enable staff to practise good hygiene, the risk of patients being infected with MRSA should be zero and is not something that will be improved by a change of building. It is precisely because of this that private hospitals can guarantee against infection with MRSA.

Maybe I'm missing the point, but it would be helpful to know exactly what a new building would provide that cannot be achieved within the current premises because, without this information, how can a sensible discussion take place?

Anonymous said...

Maybe I'm missing the point, but it would be helpful to know exactly what a new building would provide that cannot be achieved within the current premises because, without this information, how can a sensible discussion take place?

The list is endless, privacy in reception larger waiting room, pharmacy, not having to share treatment rooms something that has happened to me lots of times-last week being the latest- not having to wait 4 weeks for ear syrigining. more doctors, better community care rooms, minor ops, ie skin tag removal. I sure there are lots more but these are a few I have experienced personally. But the again according to those who dont want building on Herston fields we dont need the above. As I have said I am not advocating building on HF but that does not diminish the fact that we do need a bigger better SMC.

Anonymous said...

I do wonder if you lot actually do any research!

http://www.purbeckgazette.com/news/info.aspx?f=334

What the GP's say.

Anonymous said...

I do wonder if you lot actually do any research!

http://www.purbeckgazette.com/news/info.aspx?f=334

What the GP's say.

Other than the location, which they feel HF is correct, Im not so sure. I now feel totaly vindicated in my postings.
Perhaps my pearson/furmage want to say that even the doctors are wrong. commenst on a postage stamp please.

PS mr pearson over a pint in town (Anchor)last night I was reliably informed you only spent 6 weeks here this year not 6 months?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link but, having read it, I still struggle with the notion that a move for SMC is essential particularly given the current lack of financial security for all public services.

The main issue seems to be the need to double up on the use of two consulting rooms (ie the nurse treatment rooms) because whilst there is reference to the idea that ‘We have already had to stop some services being carried out at the Practice due to shortage of space.‘ there is insufficient detail given to weight the value of those services now not available to patients.

At the risk of being controversial, surely any current difficulties with accommodation could be overcome simply by extending the opening hours of SMC so that the services are more accessible to all and without compromising confidentiality?.

Am I a part-time resident? No.

Stephen Foote said...

I think that laying into young Mr Pearson is a little unfair. He is, from my understanding, a journalist in training. He has a duty, as a journalist, to report on a story. If he is a good journalist he will be able to present a story from both sides of the fence, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions. If you have a problem with the journalism you should take that up with the editor of the journal in which the piece was written - the Purbeck Gazette. His only reference to the medical practice was once, and he stated that it was "unneeded". I suspect that his only sin here was to quote what I had said in the meeting, and perhaps he should have said as much.

At the time of the meeting NO information was forthcoming from the GPs or the NHS about their proposals, apart from a representation letter to the Core Strategy, which explained that they would like to have a polyclinic and build it on the Herston site. No explanation or justification was offered.

The letter from the GP's came to light on 22nd August (as published in the Gazette), which was over a month after the article by Mr Pearson had been written.

Where Mr Pearson lives or doesn't live is irrelevant. His reporting is relevant, and his helped with his local knowledge. It is for you to chose if you agree, disagree, or simply be informed by what he has written.

Anonymous said...

Dear 1;13, If as stated you said it was uneeded then thats your opion as an individual not as a representitive of Swanage as a whole. It amazes me that if the SMC wanted to buils/renovate a building in town centre people like yourself would be saying oh ys how great we need it how much better that would be, BUT as soon as someone suggest HF its a bad idea NIBY? I agree the letter only appeared in mid August but I known for a fact that they have been looking for a new site for a long time, being told earlier this year by the practice manager himself "I wont say where we are looking might be to every ones taste".

Getting back to the young JP, I think what got me a tad upset was that the picture in the gazzete was taken by Dave Furmage then DF defending the young man got me doing my CSI work, ergo a pint in the Anchor, where i found out they were related, he only spends about 6 weeks here and he is Scottish, a country with its own laws and parliment a better health service than ours free scripts and all. You can see the Irony was not lost on me. Now before we get into Godwins law I not being racist concerning the young man just stating a fact! So call me cynical if you will but to be lectured over planning issues and local health care by someone living 100's miles away does stick in my throat, after all the scots do want total indepenance ( sean connery andy murray ring any bells).

So lets stick to the facts here Swanage does need a new medical centre where I dont know. but to use it as a stick to beat people over HF is a tad lacking in morals.

I have needed regular medical care recently that meant going to PGH why? because inadequate facilities in swanage.

Anonymous said...

I've been following this thread whilst in France and comparing what is proposed with the situation here. Our holiday home is in a place about half the size of Swanage and where we were previously was slightly bigger than Swanage. It is well known what a good health ststem France has and I have experienced it once a few years ago, being very impressed. My point is that neither of the places I know has a health centre as big as that in Swanage, but what they do both have is small doctor's practices where prescriptions etc are dealt with, but also larger local hospitals than we have. If in need of blood tests, X-rays etc. you are simply referred to the hospital immediately where they have a large range of facilities. Would it not be possible to follow this example freeing up space for additional doctors in the centre of town if space could be made at the hospital? As for siting a new hospital next to the middle school, my only comment is that I would not want the noise of playtime if I was ill in bed.

Jake Pearson said...

Where did I say I lived in Swanage 6 months a year?

Stephen Foote said...

You didn't Jake, your Dad did... But it doesn't matter where you live! I suspect that if your piece ran in the Guardian your place of residence wouldn't be top of the agenda. It makes no difference where you report from, what is important is the story.

This is a storm in a tea-cup.

David Furmage said...

My bad :( but like Septhen said where you live does not really matter when writing a story for a paper.

Whats needed is to stop this petty squabbling as a town as whole and come to together as one and sort out this problem.

Do we ruin and lovely field with lovely views , or do we look what else is around and use up those spaces?

David Furmage said...

My bad :( but like Stephen said where you live does not really matter when writing a story for a paper.

Whats needed is to stop this petty squabbling as a town as whole and come to together as one and sort out this problem.

Do we ruin and lovely field with lovely views , or do we look what else is around and use up those spaces?

Anonymous said...

Do we ruin and lovely field with lovely views , or do we look what else is around and use up those spaces?

12:19 AM

Yes we do look elsewhere. But stop being bloody hypocrits, in one breath we dont need a new medical centre in the next we do, as long as it goes where you want it, not where the doctors want it. Mr furmage/pearson/foote come clean do you think we need a new medical centre if not why if so where.

Mr pearson views taken as an outsider!

Anonymous said...

I read the above with great interest! I very rarely post here as I publish The Gazette and give you a starting point for discussion - I feel it is not generally my place to get involved with the discussion that follows.

However, I do have some comments to make on the above discussion.
Firstly, I'm glad that Jake's article has aroused such strong debate - a sign of a good writer and a well written article.

Secondly, I am saddened by some of the 'playground' comments made regarding where Jake lives and his entitlement to write, especially seeing as this discussion is supposed to be about the Health Centre and not a personal vendetta towards someone willing to put their head above the parapet and make a statement.

Having worked for over eight years with the Journalism work placement programme in Dorset, I can inform you that where you live has no basis whatsoever on your ability to write a journalistic piece. Read a daily newspaper? Do you really think that the journalists all live in the areas they are writing about?

Jake is an outstanding student and his piece involved a lot of research and interviews with local people. As an editor, I am very proud at Jake's level of skill, diplomacy and understanding of the situation at his age - the above discussion only re-enforces this.

Many of the above arguments are from 'anonymous' - I note Dave Furmage and Jake post under their own names, but many of the other comments seem to come from people seemingly unwilling to put their names to their arguments - why?

The doctors state that they need a new centre and give their reasons for this (their letter to PDC is on the Gazette website in full). The only relevant discussion now is the pros and cons involved with moving the Health Centre and where would be the best location for it - personal comments aimed at a commissioned journalist will not give the campaign any credence in the public eye.

Nico Johnson, Editor, The Purbeck Gazette.

Anonymous said...

How about north beach car park? It is rarely used. The health centre could take up much of the area next to the new coastguard hut. The car park could remain on a flat roof.

Anonymous said...

Nico Johnson writes....

Many thanks for your comments - I have no idea who you are as the post is under anonymous yet again, so much for democracy!!

To settle this last irrelevant point regarding who Jake is and where he lives - as the editor who commissioned the original article, I have full knowledge of Jake, his family and schooling background, his age and address.

Jake has spent much of his life in Swanage, albeit whilst attending school in Scotland. He is registered at the surgery in question.

I have been following his 'early days' writing career as a journalist over recent months and will continue to keep an eye on him. I have no doubt Jake will eventually end up on the payroll of a national paper in due course - where he will write many news stories involving many different geographical areas, irrelevant of where he personally ends up living.

There is no moral high ground here - just a subject that should be debated as adults wanting the same outcome - a Health Centre we are all able to access - the only discussion to take place now is where the correct site for the new Health Centre should be.

Anonymous said...

Many thanks for your comments - I have no idea who you are as the post is under anonymous yet again, so much for democracy!!
Democracy ..... interesting pont that word and situatin allows me to
post with out fear of personal attacks, the same democracy that allows journos to protect their sources!

There is no moral high ground here - just a subject that should be debated as adults wanting the same outcome - a Health Centre we are all able to access - the only discussion to take place now is where the correct site for the new Health Centre should be.

Then we agree? But JP put in his article, backed up by mr foote we dont need one, lets ask both of them straight yes or no.. DO we need a new medical center?

Anonymous said...

If anyone has doubts about whether we need one or not, just visit any English town where the PCT have recently invested in a new health centre. You will find spacious waiting rooms, plenty of consulting and treatment rooms and small operating theatres for minor ops. Isnt this just what Swanage needs and deserves?

Anonymous said...

I wonder if these English towns have excellent community hospitals as well?

Stephen Foote said...

When Savills (representing the land owners Scott Estate) gave their presentation regarding the development of the Herston fields site at the road show in early July, they displayed a number of boards which showed the proposed development. Also named, and presumably co-sponsoring, these boards, was a company called Prime Plc. Prime have been "contracted" to supply new health facilities to Swanage by NHS Dorset - this is disclosed in a representation letter to the Core Strategy, and dated late in 2009.

In August this year, as mentioned above, the GP's sent a representation letter to the Core Strategy (which was published by the Gazette).

Neither Prime, the NHS or the GP's have done any form of public consultation with regard to the location of the Health Centre. Nor have they consulted us about re-siting the hospital, nor have they asked us about where to build an elderly care home. These are all things which have been allocated for possible construction at Herston.

As The GP's admit in their letter, they are unsure if they have enough cash to finance this strategy. This hard sell of "we would like to build this in Herston, its our preferred site" is only something which has only come out, in public, since June.

This new Health Centre seems to be at the heart of the proposed development. The other part of the deal will be the 50 affordable/social rented houses and possibly another 100 "open market houses". This massive development, some 22 acres in size, is a HUGE ask for the sake of a new medical centre. What is being suggested here is the wholesale destruction of a great landscape, and an area of land which actually defines Herston.

If the GP's NEED a new medical centre for the 21st century, why don't they start using their current medical centre as a 21st century one - by extending their opening hours to spread the workload, and possibly freeing up space that they so badly need?

I am also told by a couple of architects that the current health centre could be re-designed and improved on the current site, with little difficulty!

Anonymous said...

If the GP's NEED a new medical centre for the 21st century, why don't they start using their current medical centre as a 21st century one - by extending their opening hours to spread the workload, and possibly freeing up space that they so badly need?

I am also told by a couple of architects that the current health centre could be re-designed and improved on the current site, with little difficulty!

6:06 PM
But have not the GP explained that the current MC is not sufficient for local needs? Infection privacy etc etc small odd shapped rooms inadequate privacy in reception god the lists goes on. Mr Foote you still not have answered the question do we need a new medical center yes or no? If no give soem concrete reasons, medical ones please, not just your personal ones.
It also amazes me about people wittering on about accesibility to the hospital its out of town and up a steep hill, no a very steep hill, so any elderly people have to get transport there anyway, so whats the difference to putting it in herston?

And can we see the consultation these architects did please? or are they just idle comments? The doctors have explained in their letter about the current surgery and the problems of expansion a point you seem to overlook.

Lets just say they move to Herston, why not suggest that the current site is sold and turned into serval housing units say 6 two bed flats and 6 1 bed flats good idea? After all a couple of local builders told me it could be done.

Look on the bright side mr Foote you and i will be very close to the new medical center if it does move to herston you and I can walk to it, all that nasty carbon emissions stopped.

Anonymous said...

Building the houses and health centre at herston makes a lot of sense. Good road access, proximity to local store, space could be found for chemist, proximity to schools. This is already an urban area and the buildings would amount to no more than infilling between existing developmemnt and the school. Whilst no one likes to see any fields disappear, these are the obvious ones to sacrifice if need be.

Anonymous said...

You mean the middle school, which is closing? No proximity there. You mean the road that will be completely urbanised, and lose Herston what little of its identitity it has left? Yes Costcutter will do well! - in fact they could open a pharmacy there! Take jobs out of town, great idea. And the medical practice, on a flood plain - see how healthy that is when the sewers overflow...

Perfect. Lets go for it!

Oh and the Herston site is outside of the existing "Urban" area... so its not actually "urbanised"!

Anonymous said...

You mean the middle school, which is closing? No proximity there. You mean the road that will be completely urbanised, and lose Herston what little of its identitity it has left? Yes Costcutter will do well! - in fact they could open a pharmacy there! Take jobs out of town, great idea. And the medical practice, on a flood plain - see how healthy that is when the sewers overflow...
So herston is a rural area? no large housing esttes, no bussineses, no industrial estate on the edge, no main route into town? sorry I did not realise Herston had turned into ma and pa larkins home. As for job losses out of town for christ sake get real, so a person now works in "herston" not the town my god will they get relocation expenses, or perhaps tax releif due to the travelling. its a joke that comment!

Just a lighter comment on the people of herston, my grandad told me that when he was a young man (early 1900's) they used to chuck stones at people as they travelled through herston.......... please dont restart that tradition.

Anonymous said...

What are the grounds for maintaining that you need to live in a place to calculate what premises are needed for primary health care? It is the most extraordinary assertion. It is so obviously absurd that it is impossible to give any credence to anything else said by anyone who makes this claim. Do the other bloggers who are making statements about what is or is not needed have any knowledge or experience in health care provision? Thought not.

Anonymous said...

What are the grounds for maintaining that you need to live in a place to calculate what premises are needed for primary health care? It is the most extraordinary assertion. It is so obviously absurd that it is impossible to give any credence to anything else said by anyone who makes this claim. Do the other bloggers who are making statements about what is or is not needed have any knowledge or experience in health care provision? Thought not.
So someone who does not live locally and use on a regular basis tthe doctors surgery have a say in where it goes and wether the locals need a new practice, that means i have the right to complain about the expansion of any medical facility anywhere in england. Thats absurd! I would never dream of offering an opinion on a new doctors practice in hampshire surrey etc. This should be decided by the locals who use those facilities, not someone who lives away. By all means have a say on wht the building looks like-ergo pier head- but to want an opinion on its function is taking the biscuit.

Anonymous said...

Its common sense. You experience what is on offer today, contrast it to better offers elsewhere and you have the answer. Easy !

Anonymous said...

As the GP's haven't told the locals what they are up to how on earth can anything be "decided by the locals who use those facilities"?

Anonymous said...

I would rather have my primary care facilities planned by people whose job it is than the armchair generals and assorted knowalls who claim to know what is and is not needed.

Anonymous said...

As the GP's haven't told the locals what they are up to how on earth can anything be "decided by the locals who use those facilities"?

Am i the only one who has known that the GP's wanted to move/ as to wht they want well I suppose in perfect live they would want a super surgery 15 doctors dozens of nurses operating rooms pharmacy etc etc, but in todays climate I think they would settle for a tad more space better consulting rooms and some privacy for patients.

But again to the 312 poster do you think we need a new surgery,dont say no just because it might be built at Herston give your answer based on what we want now and in the near future.

Anonymous said...

Were I of a suspicious mind I would suggest that the attraction of a town edge site for the doctors was the possibility it raises of an in house pharmacy, like the one in the health centre in Wool. These are a nice earner for the doctors, adding very little to the capital cost of the undertaking but benefiting from a captive audience. Anyone living west of the town centre is hardly going to go down to Station road and back with a prescription if it can be dispensed on the premises.

David Furmage said...

Personally the health centre which we have now should be open 7 days a week like the rest of the world. We are not all ill from Monday to Friday. Chemist's have too. Then we take the work load of hospitals , like someone has said already , welcome to the 21st century.

Oh and Nico ..........thank you ;) and keep up the excelent work at the Gazette;).

Anonymous said...

Personally the health centre which we have now should be open 7 days a week like the rest of the world. We are not all ill from Monday to Friday.
Ahh dear deluded dave Im affraid the last, govt: if you can call them that did away with doctors doing weekends and evenings, hence no cover and the ill fated NHS direct. Such an easy answer but easily dimissed.

Anonymous said...

Were I of a suspicious mind I would suggest that the attraction of a town edge site for the doctors was the possibility it raises of an in house pharmacy, like the one in the health centre in Wool. These are a nice earner for the doctors, adding very little to the capital cost of the undertaking but benefiting from a captive audience. Anyone living west of the town centre is hardly going to go down to Station road and back with a prescription if it can be dispensed on the premises.

According to Savills 'Promotion of land east of Washpond Lane - Site B' their preliminary masterplan states "Pharmacy linked into the primary care centre". So there would clearly be no need to frequent the pharmacies in town.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps one of the town's pharmacies would relocate to operate the health centre's site. One remain in the centre; one at the health centre. What's is wrong with that?

Anonymous said...

Not as profitable for the doctors.

Anonymous said...

and whats wrong with a bit of profit?

Anonymous said...

.....and profit is exactly what Scott Estate and Savills want to make if they get planning permission to develop Herston Fields. Nothing wrong with that either is there? Greenfield site, one landowner. Has anyone got a calculator?

Anonymous said...

Its very tiresome that every time the word profit appears on Swanageview someone feels compelled to ask what is wrong with profit. If I had said "not enough in it for the doctors" this reaction would not have been triggered. Actually when it comes to designing health provision there is a lot wrong with profit becoming a significant determinant.

Anonymous said...

'The health centre cannot go up another storey as the existing footings are apparently inadequate. I have also heard that the land on which it stands was originally swamp.'

If not up, then ?? sideways. DCC seem to be able to use a crystal ball to see into the future, its shame that the doctors did not use this same technique for the Health Centre. I wonder if the reason for the Health Centre needing to expand could be because there are plans ahead for the Hospital to close. Continue to delve and ask questions, if this fails, use alternative ancient crafts to see into the future.

Anonymous said...

There are plans to build a new hospital on Herston fields beside the new Health Centre and Pharmacy. So presumably that means that the existing hospital would close and probably sit for many years in splendid dereliction like Everest. James Day had already closed when it was proposed that new elderly care facilities would be provided - guess where? Then there was so much space left that the developers threw in 150 houses few of which could be bought/rented by local people. Planning application imminent........

Anonymous said...

9.29. Totally agree but profit is also an incentive to make things (anything) happen. Maybe you really dont mind a bit of profit but its the exploitation that is wrong. Then we agree. Herston Fields for ever - where would all those dogs go?

Anonymous said...

Profit is not the right word. A better word would be enrichment. The value of land would jump from a couple of hundred thousand to several million if the planning officer signs the proposal.

If I could be enriched by several million, I would spend a lot of time and money telling you all how great your lives will be with a new health centre...

Anonymous said...

If I could be enriched by several million, I would spend a lot of time and money telling you all how great your lives will be with a new health centre...

Bit of an arogant statement. I dont need some idiot to have millions and tell me I need a new health centre... I know that now. And Im poor!

It is going to amaze me that if/when we get a new health centre _ and where ever- all of a sudden all the apponents will be saying wow how great better etc etc. bloody hypocrites.

Anonymous said...

Profit is not the right word. A better word would be enrichment. The value of land would jump from a couple of hundred thousand to several million if the planning officer signs the proposal.

So how is the actual land/soil enriched, solely on it being worth thousands of pounds more. I would suggest the more the land is worth the less it is enriched. For example if land is valued at agricultural worth eg. between 5 -10,000 per acre it could be affordable for a local person to grow vegetables and fruit, the land will be enriched by being composted and cared for. This person will enrich the land continually. If said agricultural land is asked to be put forward as development land (for unaffordable housing and for high profit margins) it will become unenriched, it will become coverned in un-needed expensive housing, covered in concrete and gravel. It will become souless and unenriched !!