By Harry Mottram: I am often asked how do I find out news for the Axbridge area – and the answer is it is all available in the public domain. No phone hacking, no sleuthing, no eavesdropping – just looking stuff up online and then putting it all together to make sense. For work I cover Bath but there because it is newspaper and news website I get sent hundreds of press releases and snippets of news – in Axbridge there are very few sources of news but the town council, developers, local groups and social media are my main resources – and then it is up to interpreting what is out there.
Supermarket
Lidl have put in a planning application to build a supermarket on Upper New Road which is essentially betwixt Axbridge and Cheddar. They have sent an email to residents who sent them feedback in which they state: “Over 2,000 local residents indicated their support for Lidl’s plans, with an overwhelming majority in favour. The key reasons for support included increased local shopping choice and competition, easier access to a discount foodstore, and the creation of new jobs.”
The German family owned supermarket chain has previously stated they are expanding more outlets across the country taking the numbers to just under 1,000 with 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales. A planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council under reference number 17/25/00051/GNN.
Backing onto the Bloor estate the store will take a couple of years to open and will be up against Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the two filling stations in Cheddar that have mini supermarkets on site and the Co-op in Axbridge, and the village shop in Shipham. With more homes scheduled for Axbridge and Cheddar plus the new Reservoir Lidl will have calculated there is enough potential to make it work financially.
Cheddar Reservoir 2
Tenders have gone out to construct the new reservoir alongside the existing one in the valley with a price tag of £1,000,000,000 which with VAT is £1.2bn. Few people with a knowledge of building products believe that will be the final figure as projects of this size always run over budget – due to unexpected costs and time – note the contract dates are 1 July 2029 to 1 July 2054 – yes that’s 25 years, and 1 day.
The details state: “At this stage, it is intended that the Project scope comprises a new earth embankment reservoir with a useable capacity of 8,200Ml, adjacent to the existing Cheddar Reservoir. The Project also comprises associated ancillary works, including a raw water transfer to a new Water Treatment Works, and approximately 75km of potable water transfer pipeline from South West Water’s Bristol area to its customers in Devon. The estimated capital value of the work is approximately £750 million (excluding VAT), and the estimated total expenditure (inclusive of operating and maintenance costs) is c. £1 billion (excluding VAT).”
Reading the document it looks like work won’t start for another four years and will include – Demolition, site preparation and clearance work; Excavating and earthmoving work; Test drilling and boring work; Construction work for dams, canals, irrigation channels and aqueducts amongst a long list of tasks.
I have predicted that if the project proceeds (note I said if) – just like the building of the M5 in the 1970s and Hinkley Point C now it will lead to a bonanza of development across the area.
What’s on congestion?
Axe Vale Arts have published more dates for events at the former Methodist Chapel in West Street in Axbridge with the soft rockers Side Trackers appearing on Sunday 26th October and The Scarlett Stone Jazz Quartet appearing on Friday 12th December. The organisers are keen to offer a wide selection of performances and events as befits an arts centre serving the wider area. All the gigs and events are listed on my website at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/ along with events in the town hall, Lamb Inn and Oakhouse and elsewhere in the town. It does beg the question of whether there is an audience for all of the what’s on – the music gigs in particular. Concerns have been raised by some in the town that the arts centre could see fewer live events elsewhere – but it is early days so far. One factor is the town hall and the pubs have a drinks licence which the arts centre doesn’t – and old hands of fundraising know a pay bar is ‘what makes the money.’ Time will tell and hopefully there will be a full house for all the events in the town.
Laser projector
This is old news as it dates to the Town Trust meeting report of August but the Trustees have agreed to install a state of the art laser projector and 3m screen in the Town Hall. This will further enhance the hall facilities for hirers. The Trust looks after the town hall – a Grade II listed building, and the historically important Town Square. They will undertake essential maintenance to the town hall roof and to repair the ceiling inside the Old Courtroom.
The Trust has a 150 Club which you can enter as it helps to raise cash for the various works on the hall and those planters and other street furniture in the Square. To take part in the draw email: chairman@axbridgetownhall.co.uk To book the town hall contact the Clerk to the town trust. clerk@axbridgetownhall.co.uk
Axbridge News and Harry Mottram
For more news, views, reviews, previews and features about Axbridge visit www.harrymottram.co.uk
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