Recently new campaign groups have sprung up in Purbeck. There may be a concern that there is a decline in peoples involvement in politics but there is certainly not a lack of enthusiastic wonderful people that are trying to make (political) changes at a 'grass roots' level.
A few years ago Purbeck Housing Action Group was created and led very strongly and successfully by Nico, this opened up the gates for contraversial discussions to take place. What a breath of fresh air! The Gazette enabled many people to voice their concerns. Politicians and councillors took notice. This has had a positive outcome in that the Swanage group has supported other rural groups in eg Devon, Cornwall and Wales. MP Matthew Taylor has presented a sustainable communities report to central government. Members of the Swanage housing group continue to be active and communicate with Purbeck District Council over housing concerns. Thank you Nico.
More recently groups such as SOS (Save our Schools)and 'Say No to the 2 Tier' have been formed. These groups have attracted many concerned teachers, Teaching Assistants, governors, staff, parents,councillors and members of the community. Two hundred people marched to Dorset County Council to show their strength of feeling!
PEAT (Purbeck Environment Action Team)- has been meeting for about 3 years. More recently this group has agreed to work towards 'Transition Purbeck www.TransitionTowns. This group has expanded hugely and attracts many younger people in their 20's and 30's!! It is hoped that the group, by going into schools, will sonn be able to encourage older children too.
PEAT has officially joined with the other Transition areas throughout this country and abroad. Transition Dorchester has been running for about a year. They are supporting each other to find ways of creating more sustainable and thriving communities.
What all these groups have in common is that they attract many 'active' like minded people from the community, they work hard to try to make a positive difference. They do not wait around for Purbeck District Council to do the work for them. They are inclusive and believe very much that decisions should be made by the community.
Dave Pratten the headmaster of Swanage Middle School has spoken positively at public meetings. He has highlighted the importance of 'A Vision'. This is what is needed for Swanage/Purbeck.
There are more young people wishing to live and work around here, and more young families have chosen more recently to move here permanently because of a healthy lifestyle and good schools.
So...somehow we all need to get together and make this Vision happen!
There is no reason why it can't! There are little pockets in Devon, Cornwall and Wales that have created sustainable thriving communities. As soon as you arrive, you can feel the difference.
If you have any 'positive' ideas of how to create 'this vision' then post them here. Its not all doom and gloom!
Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:20 PM
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Judging by the dearth of response here I would suggest that there is no vision for Swanage/Purbeck...........
If the Purbeck Housing Action Group are so active, why has their domain name expired? Anything to do with the website not having been updated for months perhaps?
This domain name has indeed expired and was last owned by The Purbeck Gazette, 17b Commercial Road Swanage Dorset, BH19 1DF.
'Members of the Swanage housing group continue to be active and communicate with Purbeck District Council over housing concerns.'
Its members are still active. Not necessarily as PHAG. But this was the initiating group.
Oh dear, still no vision, surely someone has one! This is getting a bit worrying now. Please try harder otherwise we will all be doomed.
Affordable housing in Swanage? Buy out the owners at Swanage Bay View, get PDC to issue a year round licence, and replace the caravans with wooden lodges that are designed for year round use, and lease them at affordable rates to young families. 300 units - up to 1000 people rehoused, with the Vista as the communal centre.
More jobs in Swanage? Create an industrial zone free from all rates, with peppercorn rents, to attract light industry.
Transport? Subsidize a fast diesel shuttle train to run from Swanage Station to Wareham station to connect to trains to Poole or Weymouth during rush hour, with tickets heavily subsidized.
Tourism - revamp the hotels - they are overpriced and dreary. Provide more provision for rainy day activities for families with young children.
Increasing the town's profile as a seaside destination - revisit the plans to build a marina.
Build on what the town already offers the visitor: a seaside holiday from the past. Punch and Judy. Bucket and spade. Walks and the Purbeck Hills. Don't forget that in the height of the summer many hotels are full of people who come to use the naturist beach at Studland. Develop this trade.
Free parking on market days and in the run up to Christmas.
Swanage can promote itself wonderfully, such as last year's Carnival and air show, or dismally, such as last year's Christmas. It needs an inspirational committee and town council, with more young blood in charge.
'Affordable housing in Swanage? Buy out the owners at Swanage Bay View, get PDC to issue a year round licence, and replace the caravans with wooden lodges that are designed for year round use, and lease them at affordable rates to young families. 300 units - up to 1000 people rehoused, with the Vista as the communal centre.'
There must be a way for this to happen! We have stood on top of Ballard Down and looked over onto the Swanage Bay site often and thought as you that this would be a brilliant site for affordable housing. It could be an eco village using all the up to date technology, solar wind etc.
Lets make it happen. Swanage could get itself on the map!
Parking is free in many parts of Wales-result as a tourist you feel welcomed and not cheated out of high parking fees. Outcome, happy and more money in your pocket to spend in the local shops! Mmm what happens here - In the spring the car park fees quadruple, locals and holdiay people feel unwelcome.
Also a sports centre including squash courts would be good too. How did the Harrow House dome ever get planning permission, which bit of planning policy criterior did that one fulfill? Or were the mitigating circumstances such that locals could use the facilities for a few years, only for it all to be withdrawn to expand the international student business. Does anyone out there know the history of this. What an incredible loss to Swanage that one was, us oldies experienced the benefits of this wonderful temporary facility for a few years, what a shame our children were not able to do so.
DCC/PDC/lottery funding/grants to purchase old Grammar School premises for sports club or/and site for a new Swanage secondary education.
Encourage good planning decisions eg. no more development of unaffordable housing but use of buildings such as Drummond Road, Westbury to be updated into good quality, value for money, walking/hostel holiday accommodation.
A change of attitudes within the council, more working together with communities so that 'good' decisions can be made. A citizens panel that can debate important issues (evening meetings) with PDC.
''Affordable housing in Swanage? Buy out the owners at Swanage Bay View, get PDC to issue a year round licence, and replace the caravans with wooden lodges that are designed for year round use, and lease them at affordable rates to young families. 300 units - up to 1000 people rehoused, with the Vista as the communal centre.''
Hmmm sounds good 300 caravans x approx £30000 average. Do you know how much that will cost??. A non starter for sure.
How much is Swanage Bay View up for sale for?
Still waiting for a Vision for Swanage. They ran out of time so couldn't answer this question at the Swanage Residents Association meeting!!
This is fantastic and I am exactly that person, with a very young family in my thirties who thinks initiatives like this are incredible and very needed. Its often hard at first to get people engaged but if you keep going you get there
see you at the next meeting!
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