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| Queensbury residents Stephen Hartley (left) and UKIP's Jason Smith |
Store should provide path for customers, say pair
9:00am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in
Supermarket giant Tesco has come under fire from residents who say they are unhappy at the state of a piece of land next to one of its new stores.
Residents near the company’s Queensbury supermarket, which opened just over a year ago, say the land on nearby Wellington Street has become a “water-filled ditch” and should be grassed over with a small footpath installed.
UKIP Bradford chairman Jason Smith, of Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, said Tesco had planted a few trees but he feared the area may become hazardous to those using it to get to the store.
He said: “Residents are unhappy with the current state of the land as it has the potential to be hazardous.
“We expected as a goodwill gesture that Tesco would make sure the area outside the store was well maintained for residents living nearby.”
Resident Stephen Hartley said: “For such a large and prosperous business the residents are not asking for much to make good of the area instead of proving us with unwanted trees and unwanted swamp.”
Councillor Paul Cromie (Independent, Queensbury) said the land was not an official right of way.
He said: “It’s always been rough and ready and obviously with the landscaping that’s gone on it’s made it a bit of a quagmire. What Tesco should have done was to block it off so people would have to walk round it on the High Street.”
Tesco declined to comment.
e-mail: hannah.baker@telegraphandargus.co.uk
Village plagued by the pong steps up fight against firm
Who d live here? Campaigners Beverley Barker and Jason Smith give the Queensbury welcome sign the thumbs-down
CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up their fight against the firm behind the gruesome offal spills and foul stench plaguing Queensbury.
Swalesmoor Action Group has drawn up a list of demands for animal-waste company Omega Proteins after two major spills from its lorries.
Earlier this month, a motorcyclist was thrown from his bike after skidding on guts in Halifax Road.
Just over a week before, children found intestines and organs splattered near Foxhill Primary School.
Beverley Barker, Swalesmoor Action Group spokeswoman, said: “The spillages are devastating for the people whose houses they happen near.”
The group is calling for raw waste to be transported in tankers or frozen in bulk containers fitted with spill guards in the wake of the incidents.
They are the latest in a string of grievances against the company, which turns animal waste into meat and bonemeal (MBM) and tallow, used for pet food and fuel.
Rotting carcasses are stored at its site in Swalesmoor Road, Halifax, then taken through Queensbury to its Bradford rendering plant, Erlings Works.
Residents complain this causes a foul smell to linger in the area and the noise from the lorries disrupts sleep. Mrs Barker said: “We’re sick of the stench, we’re sick of the spillages and really, people are sick of the inconvenience.
“You don’t know when you can hang your washing out.
“You don’t know when you can use your garden, because you can’t plan for whether a smelly lorry is going to go past.”
The company has been prosecuted a number of times, most recently in May when it was fined £20,000 for breaching an environmental permit.
It also admitted breaching planning conditions limiting vehicle movements in and out of its Bradford site at an inquiry last November.
Campaigners say tough action now needs to be taken. As well as measures to prevent more spillages, they want:
l The fallen stock and MBM stores at Swalesmoor Road to moved to the Bradford site
l No lorries through Queensbury overnight
l Planning conditions to be complied with
l The company to work with Calderdale Council to make the Swalesmoor junction with the A647 safe.
The group has also joined forces with UKIP activist Jason Smith to examine the European laws governing the company’s operations.
Mr Smith said: “We have contacted our researchers in Brussels who are scrutinising the legislation and we hope to have a clear view of what the legislation allows and does not allow shortly.”
A spokesman for the Leo Group, which owns Omega Proteins, said the firm was forced to store waste at Swalesmoor due to planning conditions at Erlings Works.
He said: “We would be delighted if we could have round-the- clock access to Erlings Works.
“This would remove the need to transport material through the streets of Queensbury. However the decision about access rests with the local authority.”
He added: “The recent spillages were due to driver error and one employee has subsequently been dismissed.
“This shows how seriously we take our responsibilities.
“We are fully compliant with all legislation and follow best practice in our transportation methods.
Swalesmoor Action Group has drawn up a list of demands for animal-waste company Omega Proteins after two major spills from its lorries.
Earlier this month, a motorcyclist was thrown from his bike after skidding on guts in Halifax Road.
Just over a week before, children found intestines and organs splattered near Foxhill Primary School.
Beverley Barker, Swalesmoor Action Group spokeswoman, said: “The spillages are devastating for the people whose houses they happen near.”
The group is calling for raw waste to be transported in tankers or frozen in bulk containers fitted with spill guards in the wake of the incidents.
They are the latest in a string of grievances against the company, which turns animal waste into meat and bonemeal (MBM) and tallow, used for pet food and fuel.
Rotting carcasses are stored at its site in Swalesmoor Road, Halifax, then taken through Queensbury to its Bradford rendering plant, Erlings Works.
Residents complain this causes a foul smell to linger in the area and the noise from the lorries disrupts sleep. Mrs Barker said: “We’re sick of the stench, we’re sick of the spillages and really, people are sick of the inconvenience.
“You don’t know when you can hang your washing out.
“You don’t know when you can use your garden, because you can’t plan for whether a smelly lorry is going to go past.”
The company has been prosecuted a number of times, most recently in May when it was fined £20,000 for breaching an environmental permit.
It also admitted breaching planning conditions limiting vehicle movements in and out of its Bradford site at an inquiry last November.
Campaigners say tough action now needs to be taken. As well as measures to prevent more spillages, they want:
l The fallen stock and MBM stores at Swalesmoor Road to moved to the Bradford site
l No lorries through Queensbury overnight
l Planning conditions to be complied with
l The company to work with Calderdale Council to make the Swalesmoor junction with the A647 safe.
The group has also joined forces with UKIP activist Jason Smith to examine the European laws governing the company’s operations.
Mr Smith said: “We have contacted our researchers in Brussels who are scrutinising the legislation and we hope to have a clear view of what the legislation allows and does not allow shortly.”
A spokesman for the Leo Group, which owns Omega Proteins, said the firm was forced to store waste at Swalesmoor due to planning conditions at Erlings Works.
He said: “We would be delighted if we could have round-the- clock access to Erlings Works.
“This would remove the need to transport material through the streets of Queensbury. However the decision about access rests with the local authority.”
He added: “The recent spillages were due to driver error and one employee has subsequently been dismissed.
“This shows how seriously we take our responsibilities.
“We are fully compliant with all legislation and follow best practice in our transportation methods.
“We maintain and run a very modern fleet of vehicles which is continually updated. All vehicles are subject to daily inspection and stringent checks.”
UKIP supporting Bradford Cross-Rail
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| J.Vasey and Jason Smith of UKIP in Urban Garden |
Mr Smith was impressed by the Cross Rail vision which would help revive the city centre as a cultural tourist destination and attract new businesses to the lower Broadway and little Germany quarter of the city.
BRUG discussed Bradford Council’s current plans to move the existing Magistrates court next to the current Crown Court, which would impede the building of the line. The Odeon was discussed as a possible site for the Magistrates court.
During our tour of the city centre we discussed the number of vacant properties between the Urban Gardens and the “mirror pool“, BRUG pointed out this would become the main thoroughfare from a central Bradford station direct to the mirror pool area, and the regeneration benefits this would have upon this part of the city.
Mr Smith discussed UKIP’s plans for Bradford, supporting strong improvements in public transport and making the best use of the existing buildings in Bradford, rather than the council building new buildings at public expense.
Jason Smith is standing for election in the Queensbury ward, a full list of candidates is available from here.
BRUG would like to speak to representatives from all political parties before the local elections.
Bradford Rail User Group (BRUG) website
THE proposal for a Cross Rail link connecting Bradford's Interchange and Forster Square station has been backed by the district's UK Independence Party.
The party wants to see three new high speed rail links in the country and Bradford could be a part of that if the Cross Rail link comes to fruition.
UKIP Bradford spokesman Jason Smith said: "Personally this seems like a no-brainer. Bradford urgently needs a shot in the arm to resurrect the city and the Cross Rail link could be just the ticket, connecting Bradford whose businesses and future attractions would benefit from the increased traffic in to the city.
"Currently our city is broken; this could be the first step to literally putting Bradford back on track.
"I have heard officials claiming the project is too expensive yet we have seen money thrown in to the city centre black hole and earmarked for projects that nobody wants like New Victoria Place and the mirror pond.
"If there is money for these unpopular projects then there is surely money available for something that will actually benefit the city.''
UKIP Bradford has launched a petition to gauge the public's interest in the rail link and has called for a Bradford-wide referendum on the proposal.
The referendum call has been supported by the Bradford Rail Users Group. Its chairman James Vasey said: "This is a once in lifetime opportunity for Bradford to create a rail link across Bradford bringing new investment, jobs and tourism to the city. Have your say."
The next meeting of the Bradford Rail Users Group is to be held on June 7 at 7.30pm at Bradford Voluntary and Community Services, Sunbridge Road, Bradford.
People can sign the Cross Rail petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/crossrail/
The party wants to see three new high speed rail links in the country and Bradford could be a part of that if the Cross Rail link comes to fruition.
UKIP Bradford spokesman Jason Smith said: "Personally this seems like a no-brainer. Bradford urgently needs a shot in the arm to resurrect the city and the Cross Rail link could be just the ticket, connecting Bradford whose businesses and future attractions would benefit from the increased traffic in to the city.
"Currently our city is broken; this could be the first step to literally putting Bradford back on track.
"I have heard officials claiming the project is too expensive yet we have seen money thrown in to the city centre black hole and earmarked for projects that nobody wants like New Victoria Place and the mirror pond.
"If there is money for these unpopular projects then there is surely money available for something that will actually benefit the city.''
UKIP Bradford has launched a petition to gauge the public's interest in the rail link and has called for a Bradford-wide referendum on the proposal.
The referendum call has been supported by the Bradford Rail Users Group. Its chairman James Vasey said: "This is a once in lifetime opportunity for Bradford to create a rail link across Bradford bringing new investment, jobs and tourism to the city. Have your say."
The next meeting of the Bradford Rail Users Group is to be held on June 7 at 7.30pm at Bradford Voluntary and Community Services, Sunbridge Road, Bradford.
People can sign the Cross Rail petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/crossrail/
'Sack city centre plan boss' call
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Bradford has called for the resignation of the boss of the city's regeneration company.
Following a heated meeting earlier this week when Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) chiefs clashed with members of the public over plans for the city centre, UKIP wants to see BCR chief executive, Maud Marshall, step down from her post because of what it calls "BCR's failure to deliver on their plans to regenerate Bradford."
UKIP Bradford chairman, Jason Smith, was among over 200 people who attended the meeting which included a presentation on the regeneration company's plans for the future and the progress it has made in the past five years.
Mr Smith said: "The presentation was very professional, but it was only a vision of what they intended to deliver – after five years in charge they have achieved virtually nothing of substance in Bradford.
"What kind of business would bulldoze an entire area of the city without any firm assurances of when or if the development could be delivered; this is sheer incompetence on the part of the Bradford Centre Regeneration. Their failure to consider saving the iconic Odeon building goes to prove that their claims of listening to the people of Bradford are simply untrue.
"It was clear from the BCR event that they are no further forward with their regeneration plans and that they have failed miserably to engage the people of Bradford. It is clear that somebody must take responsibility for this debacle."
BCR, which was set up in February 2003 to spearhead the renaissance of the city centre including plans for a multi-million Park at the Heart scheme around the city hall, came under fierce criticism earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Bradford Centre Regeneration, said: "Mr Smith clearly misunderstood the information that was presented on Monday night as he has omitted key elements that were discussed and has made assertions and claims that are factually inaccurate."
The company declined to expand on which part of Mr Smith's claims and assertions it felt were "factually inaccurate."
On Monday, a panel, which included Bradford Council leader Coun Kris Hopkins, BCR chief executive Maud Marshall and regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward's director of environment Jan Anderson, faced heckling and applause as they fielded questions on controversial plans to tear down Bradford's former Odeon cinema and replace it with a development called New Victoria Place which will include a hotel, restaurants and bars.
Angry residents also demanded to know when Bradford Council would set a deadline for construction work to begin on the city's long-awaited Broadway shopping centre which is being developed by Westfield.
The council has the power to buy back the land and seek another developer if it believes Westfield cannot take it forward but Bradford Council chief executive, Tony Reeves, refused to divulge any timescale for such action.
Following a heated meeting earlier this week when Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) chiefs clashed with members of the public over plans for the city centre, UKIP wants to see BCR chief executive, Maud Marshall, step down from her post because of what it calls "BCR's failure to deliver on their plans to regenerate Bradford."
UKIP Bradford chairman, Jason Smith, was among over 200 people who attended the meeting which included a presentation on the regeneration company's plans for the future and the progress it has made in the past five years.
Mr Smith said: "The presentation was very professional, but it was only a vision of what they intended to deliver – after five years in charge they have achieved virtually nothing of substance in Bradford.
"What kind of business would bulldoze an entire area of the city without any firm assurances of when or if the development could be delivered; this is sheer incompetence on the part of the Bradford Centre Regeneration. Their failure to consider saving the iconic Odeon building goes to prove that their claims of listening to the people of Bradford are simply untrue.
"It was clear from the BCR event that they are no further forward with their regeneration plans and that they have failed miserably to engage the people of Bradford. It is clear that somebody must take responsibility for this debacle."
BCR, which was set up in February 2003 to spearhead the renaissance of the city centre including plans for a multi-million Park at the Heart scheme around the city hall, came under fierce criticism earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Bradford Centre Regeneration, said: "Mr Smith clearly misunderstood the information that was presented on Monday night as he has omitted key elements that were discussed and has made assertions and claims that are factually inaccurate."
The company declined to expand on which part of Mr Smith's claims and assertions it felt were "factually inaccurate."
On Monday, a panel, which included Bradford Council leader Coun Kris Hopkins, BCR chief executive Maud Marshall and regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward's director of environment Jan Anderson, faced heckling and applause as they fielded questions on controversial plans to tear down Bradford's former Odeon cinema and replace it with a development called New Victoria Place which will include a hotel, restaurants and bars.
Angry residents also demanded to know when Bradford Council would set a deadline for construction work to begin on the city's long-awaited Broadway shopping centre which is being developed by Westfield.
The council has the power to buy back the land and seek another developer if it believes Westfield cannot take it forward but Bradford Council chief executive, Tony Reeves, refused to divulge any timescale for such action.
Westfield development director, Neil Huntington, told the meeting the firm means to complete the project by 2010.
UKIP wants Odeon referendum
6:28pm Tuesday 4th September 2007
The UK Independence Party has called for a referendum on the future of Bradford's former Odeon cinema.
The call has been welcomed by campaigners opposed to plans to demolish the building and replace it with the New Victoria Place, a £55 million mixed-use development.
Regeneration chiefs say a referendum would be inappropriate, the public has already been consulted and will have another chance to voice opinions when a planning application is submitted.
Jason Smith, district spokesman for UKIP, said: "The future of the Odeon is of great concern to the people of Bradford, as was apparent by the great turn-out at the recent Hug the Odeon' event.
"If we are to regenerate Bradford, then I believe the Odeon would be an excellent place to start. A restored Odeon could become, for example, a regional concert hall or arts centre.
"I would call on the people of Bradford to support our call for a referendum."
The demand prompted a joint statement from Bradford Centre Regeneration - which is spearheading development on the site - and Yorkshire Forward, which bought it for about £2m in 2003.
They said: "New Victoria Place will create a stunning new landmark for Bradford, creating jobs and investment, attracting new visitors to the city and providing the leisure and office facilities needed to successfully revitalise the city.
"The Odeon building closed in 2000 because it had proven to be economically unviable as a cinema, bingo hall and as a concert venue and it has remained unoccupied ever since. "
They said many proposed uses for the Odeon had been considered but none looked at keeping the building.
Councillor Andrew Mallinson, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "The future of the Odeon will now be decided through an open public planning application where people will be once again allowed to voice their concerns.
