Urgent meetings needed (From Gazette Series)

Urgent meetings needed

VERY serious meetings are needed to address the crisis in Dursley's regeneration programme, according to the town's two Gloucestershire county councillors.

Cllr Margaret Nolder (Lab) told the Gazette that an urgent meeting was required between Dursley site landowners Stroud District Council, the county council and Stroud College, as well as Dursley Town Council.

"Dursley has been waiting for Tesco for so long. We need to have a rethink now for the people of the town," she said.

"This must be taken very seriously - the regeneration of the town must go on." Cllr Dennis Andrewartha (Lib Dem) said the takeover could be bad news for both Cam and Dursley in his report to Dursley Town Council.

In a written report he stated: "It is a further delay to Dursley's regeneration, it at a stroke eliminates competition, it delays the Chapel Street development in Cam and if Tesco stays at the Dursley site it is likely to be bought at a lower cost to them.

"In addition, it may confuse issues associated with the Littlecombe development - particularly highways."

Both councillors have already been in touch will county council cabinet member for resources Cllr Ray Theodoulou and will continue to work towards a solution for Dursley.

Cllr Nolder added: "Everyone has been let down by this and the people of Dursley must have a say."