Coun Craig Reeves writes for the Observer.
THIS week’s column is something of a round-up, reflecting on stories that have had an impact on our town and the surrounding area.
Firstly, the Riverside Shopping Centre regeneration has seen progress with Savill’s appointed Wychavon’s commercial regeneration partner.
This is a really positive step. With Savill’s a globally recognised name, the partrnership gives us the backing, expertise and commercial connections that will help slingshot the project even more in the right direction.
It is important to remember the ambition here, we are not aiming to patch up or replace with “like for more-modern like”.
We are striving for something unique and community focused, a mixed-use town centre space bringing together leisure, retail, hospitality and homes that create harmony between Bridge Street through to Abbey Park and the abbey grounds.
Secondly, Evesham’s Abbey Road is the subject of an application to regenerate the dilapidated fuel station and garages.
The proposal includes a replacement petrol filling station, retail kiosk, drive-through restaurant, electric vehicle charging points, parking, landscaping and alterations to the access arrangements.
There are no brands attached to the application at this stage and, of course, it still has to go through the planning process. Should those plans get given the green light, however, they could bring a much-improved amenity to the town’s southern gateway, which has looked tired and neglected for far too long.
The town centre has been a hive of activity, with weekends packed with people and events such as the medieval market, Polish day celebrations, a food festival and Evesham Rowing Club’s regatta.
Thank you to all the organisers and those who support the events in our town.
Waste collection and street cleaning
At a full council meeting, Wychavon agreed to bring waste collection and street cleaning services in-house once the current contract with FCC Environment ends. Waste collection rarely attracts complaint but the same cannot always be said for street cleaning. When the two services sit under one, out-sourced, lengthy 10-year contract, we have seen a resource imbalance – as waste collection has taken precedence.
Bringing the service in-house will give the council more control and more flexibility to respond to local need. The current contract ends on March 31, 2028, with the new in-house service due to start (no April fools) the following day.
That date is also significant because, coincidentally, it is also when our district and county councils are expected to be replaced by an, as yet undecided new authority.
The waste and cleaning service will be transferred from FCC to Wychavon under transfer of undertakings protection of employment arrangements, meaning staff should carry over as the service changes hands.
In practical terms, that should help keep disruption to a minimum when the time comes.
Harvington Coach and Horses
Finally, I’m grateful Harvington’s Coach and Horses has been designated an asset of community value – thanks to Harvington Parish Council and a supporting letter by myself. Wychavon has placed the pub on the ‘right to bid’ register.
That means, should the brewery owners ever decide to sell, the community will get an opportunity to bid, and potentially bring the pub into public ownership.
That ensures an additional layer of protection for a much-loved space which dates back to the early 1700s.
Protecting character and our heritage is tantamount to moving forward with pride and identity – something I pursue daily as a councillor.
I take a keen interest in planning applications and in spaces that simply fail to abide by policy. And of course, whilst buildings create a space, it is us, the residents that truly make a place.
