CHANGES to the £220 million development set to transform Newport city centre were due to be discussed by planners today.
Amendments to the ambitious Friars Walk project are being made at a late stage with work expected to start later this month.
But an officers' report to the planning committee said the proposed changes had arisen "due to practical and economic reasons".
It details the alterations which include the following.
Changes to the design of the bus station.
Modus Corovest and Newport City Council have jointly made the application and officers are recommending the amended scheme gets the go-ahead subject to a number of conditions.
But Newport Transport and Newport Access Group have both made representations about the changes.
The bus company raised concerns over health and safety issues involving vehicles using the bus station.
Officers said a response to these issues would be given at today's meeting.
Newport Access Group was pleased there would be accessible parking bays but wondered if four "parent and child" spaces were enough.
It was also worried about tables and chairs being allowed outside premises as they could be a problem for people with sight or sensory impairments.
The is due to include apartments, shops, restaurants, a new bus station, multi-screen cinema and a hotel.
Debenhams are due to take up residence in one of the anchor stores while Marks and Spencer are lined up for the other.
10:56pm Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Grumpy Old Man, The Gaer on 11:44pm Tue 25 Mar 08
These changes result in a reduced spend however they are dressed up.
Is there an election shortly?
These changes result in a reduced spend however they are dressed up.
Is there an election shortly?
Posted by: Owain Vaughan, Newport Monmouthshire on 7:26am Wed 26 Mar 08
Why are you so obsessed with the election? What has this, or any other story you've commented on lately got to do with it? What "reduced spend" are you concerned about? Why don't you read the plans before commenting?
Why are you so obsessed with the election? What has this, or any other story you've commented on lately got to do with it? What "reduced spend" are you concerned about? Why don't you read the plans before commenting?
Posted by: bobmech1, Risca on 7:54am Wed 26 Mar 08
Does it really matter as they will pass it anyway as it has to be ready for the 'Golf' perhaps they should get VW to sponser the plans as well.
Does it really matter as they will pass it anyway as it has to be ready for the 'Golf' perhaps they should get VW to sponser the plans as well.
Posted by: doug, Cwmbran on 8:03am Wed 26 Mar 08
Quote: "It was also worried about tables and chairs being allowed outside premises as they could be a problem for people with sight or sensory impairments". This doesn't seem to be a problem in most European or worldwide cities and towns where there are also people with sight and sensory impairment. Lets not further ruin these plans with the nanny health and safety zealots sticking their oar in.
Quote: "It was also worried about tables and chairs being allowed outside premises as they could be a problem for people with sight or sensory impairments". This doesn't seem to be a problem in most European or worldwide cities and towns where there are also people with sight and sensory impairment. Lets not further ruin these plans with the nanny health and safety zealots sticking their oar in.
Posted by: Serpent Terror, Newport on 8:36am Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Owain Vaughan[/bold] wrote:
Why are you so obsessed with the election? What has this, or any other story you've commented on lately got to do with it? What "reduced spend" are you concerned about? Why don't you read the plans before commenting?[/quote] SHUT UP....! Owain who put you in charge. I agree with the grumpy old man and I have read the Plans.
Owain Vaughan wrote:
Why are you so obsessed with the election? What has this, or any other story you've commented on lately got to do with it? What "reduced spend" are you concerned about? Why don't you read the plans before commenting?
SHUT UP....! Owain who put you in charge. I agree with the grumpy old man and I have read the Plans.
Posted by: Owain Vaughan, Newport Monmouthshire on 9:16am Wed 26 Mar 08
You agree that this is all a clandestine plan to win votes? eh?
You agree that this is all a clandestine plan to win votes? eh?
Posted by: Grumpy Old Man, The Gaer on 10:14am Wed 26 Mar 08
An election looms - "old good news" is pumped out to thrill the electorate!
An election looms - "old good news" is pumped out to thrill the electorate!
Posted by: Serpent Terror, Newport on 10:44am Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Owain Vaughan[/bold] wrote:
You agree that this is all a clandestine plan to win votes? eh?[/quote] Hell yer what else is it about. You watch in the next few week's Newport Council done this and that, well let me tell you Owain most good projects comes from community groups all the Council does is steal them for them selfs and state they started them "I for one knows this to be true....!" If the council is as good as they say they are why must transferr all off the housing stock to a new RSL? I do not beleave anything they say.....! all this is for is to get them re-elected so they can **** up some more, go and see the communities and see what I mean they promise everything and deliver nothing unless they can win awards and say how good they are.
See them for what they are "old men who likes a little bit of power and they don't like to lose what power they have".
I like you Owain your funny........! hope to talk to you some more.
Owain Vaughan wrote:
You agree that this is all a clandestine plan to win votes? eh?
Hell yer what else is it about. You watch in the next few week's Newport Council done this and that, well let me tell you Owain most good projects comes from community groups all the Council does is steal them for them selfs and state they started them "I for one knows this to be true....!" If the council is as good as they say they are why must transferr all off the housing stock to a new RSL? I do not beleave anything they say.....! all this is for is to get them re-elected so they can **** up some more, go and see the communities and see what I mean they promise everything and deliver nothing unless they can win awards and say how good they are.
See them for what they are "old men who likes a little bit of power and they don't like to lose what power they have".
I like you Owain your funny........! hope to talk to you some more.
Posted by: Owain Vaughan, Newport Monmouthshire on 10:59am Wed 26 Mar 08
The slight problem with this fanciful conspiracy theory is that this is not an announcement of how great the council is - it is a private company submitting a planning application. Tinfoil hats off.
The slight problem with this fanciful conspiracy theory is that this is not an announcement of how great the council is - it is a private company submitting a planning application. Tinfoil hats off.
Posted by: Serpent Terror, Newport on 11:20am Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Owain Vaughan[/bold] wrote:
The slight problem with this fanciful conspiracy theory is that this is not an announcement of how great the council is - it is a private company submitting a planning application. Tinfoil hats off.[/quote] OWAIN
Who Cares I don't.....!
Shut up..... and stop using big words its people like you who have no sence of homour at all. Whats up mate have I touched on someting are you a Councillor?
Owain Vaughan wrote:
The slight problem with this fanciful conspiracy theory is that this is not an announcement of how great the council is - it is a private company submitting a planning application. Tinfoil hats off.
OWAIN
Who Cares I don't.....!
Shut up..... and stop using big words its people like you who have no sence of homour at all. Whats up mate have I touched on someting are you a Councillor?
Posted by: James on 12:40pm Wed 26 Mar 08
"Serpent Terror" - the biggest word Owain used was "announcement". Surely you know what that means, don't you?
Look, a lot of things may be considered electioneering, but this is a planning application change - nothing to do with votes, or NCC.
"Serpent Terror" - the biggest word Owain used was "announcement". Surely you know what that means, don't you?
Look, a lot of things may be considered electioneering, but this is a planning application change - nothing to do with votes, or NCC.
Posted by: Dave on his soapbox, Casnewydd, Gwent on 12:47pm Wed 26 Mar 08
http://www.friarswal
k.com/downloads/broc
hure.pdf is worth a look for the artists impressions and plans...
Do all people who live in apartments use public transport....and not have relatives/friends who might visit them that do? .... there's 38 more apartments and 41 less car parking spaces....
and 'The roof will no longer extend beyond the southern most retail unit'.... not sure what they mean by south....but is the area towards the new foot bridge?... I'm sure Owain will know.
http://www.friarswal
k.com/downloads/broc
hure.pdf is worth a look for the artists impressions and plans...
Do all people who live in apartments use public transport....and not have relatives/friends who might visit them that do? .... there's 38 more apartments and 41 less car parking spaces....
and 'The roof will no longer extend beyond the southern most retail unit'.... not sure what they mean by south....but is the area towards the new foot bridge?... I'm sure Owain will know.
Posted by: Simon, Newport on 1:29pm Wed 26 Mar 08
If this is electioneering, then it would be positive news... More flats, less architectural merit, fewer decorations - this would appear to be a cheapening of the development and an increase in the potential income from the scheme to the developer - interpretation "economic reasons"...
Lastly, for Dave, the idea of central living is that you live near the workplace, so the idea would be for fewer cars... There was no indication that the removed car parking was private, but it remains to reason that for 281 flats, 573 car parking spaces should be more than enough...
If this is electioneering, then it would be positive news... More flats, less architectural merit, fewer decorations - this would appear to be a cheapening of the development and an increase in the potential income from the scheme to the developer - interpretation "economic reasons"...
Lastly, for Dave, the idea of central living is that you live near the workplace, so the idea would be for fewer cars... There was no indication that the removed car parking was private, but it remains to reason that for 281 flats, 573 car parking spaces should be more than enough...
Posted by: Turv, Newport&Cwmbran on 4:09pm Wed 26 Mar 08
4 parking spaces for parents/children? Fantastic planning - It is a huge undertaking for a family of say 2 parents and three or four kids to travel on Public transport rather than car, and normal spaces are too narrow these days. So Iam sure that families won't be flocking to THAT car park!
4 parking spaces for parents/children? Fantastic planning - It is a huge undertaking for a family of say 2 parents and three or four kids to travel on Public transport rather than car, and normal spaces are too narrow these days. So Iam sure that families won't be flocking to THAT car park!
Posted by: King of the Hill, Newport on 7:53pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Is it me or is anyone else a tad concerned that the Ryder Cup is drawing ever near and there is no real sign of the Friar's Walk AND City Spires work starting?
How embarrassing to host such a major global event and the place looking like a tip.
Is it me or is anyone else a tad concerned that the Ryder Cup is drawing ever near and there is no real sign of the Friar's Walk AND City Spires work starting?
How embarrassing to host such a major global event and the place looking like a tip.
Posted by: R Davies on 11:20am Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Simon[/bold] wrote:
If this is electioneering, then it would be positive news... More flats, less architectural merit, fewer decorations - this would appear to be a cheapening of the development and an increase in the potential income from the scheme to the developer - interpretation "economic reasons"... Lastly, for Dave, the idea of central living is that you live near the workplace, so the idea would be for fewer cars... There was no indication that the removed car parking was private, but it remains to reason that for 281 flats, 573 car parking spaces should be more than enough...[/quote] Agree with Simon on the electioneering issue - this appears to be a bad news story with a reduced value scheme showing reduced ambition. In relation to the parking isn't this supposed to serve more than just the flats?
Simon wrote:
If this is electioneering, then it would be positive news... More flats, less architectural merit, fewer decorations - this would appear to be a cheapening of the development and an increase in the potential income from the scheme to the developer - interpretation "economic reasons"... Lastly, for Dave, the idea of central living is that you live near the workplace, so the idea would be for fewer cars... There was no indication that the removed car parking was private, but it remains to reason that for 281 flats, 573 car parking spaces should be more than enough...
Agree with Simon on the electioneering issue - this appears to be a bad news story with a reduced value scheme showing reduced ambition. In relation to the parking isn't this supposed to serve more than just the flats?
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