4 minute read
LETTERS
REGENERATION, REGENERATION, REGENERATION
Dear Editor, In the past Porthcawl was a place that many folk visited to enjoy a day out or holiday at the seaside. All the regeneration schemes that come from BCBC appear to focus on increasing the number of buildings in our town, perhaps to generate extra council tax? A few years ago the idea was to build some 1200 dwellings on the land behind Hillsboro place, through Salt Lake car park and even some of Griffin Park. The state of the town center is disgraceful! After rain, take a walk around the busy shopping area around the co-op shop on Lias Road and try to dodge the puddles on the pavement there and at the road junctions (I did write to BCBC in May 2019 on this point). I live in the old part of town and consider the council tax extortionate. So when I see the deterioration of the town, especially the Porthcawl Hotel, Glamorgam Holiday Hotel, Cosy Corner and cracked paving I have to wonder where does all the council tax money from Porthcawl go? Remember Bridgend town center was once a thriving place and is now a ghost town. Please don’t let this happen to Porthcawl.
John Finney, Porthcawl
BRIAN SAUNDERS - AN APPRECIATION
I always called him Mr Porthcawl Badminton. I refer to Brian Saunders who died in the Princess of Wales Hospital on February 6, aged 84. He was there for a course of intravenous antibiotics for a badly infected leg but contracted coronavirus. Brian contributed so much to the Porthcawl community in such a wide variety of fields. However, he will be particularly remembered for his involvement in badminton. He was a founder member of the Porthcawl club. A local leading figure in the sport described his contribution over the last 27 years as “outstanding, especially in the coaching of juniors.’’ There are literally hundreds of people who owe so much to his never diminished enthusiasm and infinite patience. His adult colleagues always enjoyed his company until ill-health meant he was unable to participate in recent times. But he never lost interest in his beloved club and was determined to return one day. Even having a leg amputated did not alter his attitude. “I can always hit a few shots from my wheelchair!“ he insisted. Such determination, such dedication. We shall eventually return to playing at the Porthcawl comprehensive school sports hall on Thursday evenings… but it will never be the same without Brian.
Dave Bush, Chairman Porthcawl Badminton Club
REGENERATION PLANS PORTHCAWL
Dear Editor, To the best of my knowledge the meaning of regeneration is the enhancement of an area for the benefit of future generations. Can anyone explain to me why building a supermarket and five storey apartments blocks on Salt Lake car park will give pleasure to future generations? If this crazy idea materialises then where are the day-trippers and residents going to park their cars to visit Porthcawl? At least 70% of Salt Lake car park should be resurfaced and designated to parking. The remaining 30% should be used for leisure alone. On many occasions in the summer months there is a tail back of cars queuing to get into Salt Lake car park as far back as the Laleston roundabout. This plan is not regeneration it is urbanization. The Bridgend County Council states that they need the money from the plan to kick start regeneration. Twenty years ago, the council closed the caravan park at Sandy Bay, in the name of regeneration. If they had sold the land at Sandy Bay for building twenty years ago then they would have accumulated millions of pounds in community charges from the hundreds of houses that could have been built on Sandy Bay. That land is worth mega millions of pounds. If they sold the land now it would pay for a new promenade, sea defences, a resurfaced car park at Salt Lake and leisure facilities for future generations to enjoy. The only leisure facility Porthcawl seafront provides is Griffin Park, which is totally inadequate. Approximately twenty years ago I attended a packed public meeting in the Seabank Hotel regarding regeneration. When one of the council’s representatives stated that their plan was to build a supermarket on Salt Lake, there was an outcry of objections. There was not one person in the meeting that agreed with the ridiculous idea and we haven’t changed our minds. In recent years Port Talbot and Barry have had millions of pounds spent on regenerating their seafronts, and not a supermarket in sight. May be representatives from Bridgend County Council should visit the above-mentioned seafronts to understand the meaning of regeneration. I cannot understand why our local MP and councillors are sitting back and letting this travesty happen. When they want our votes, they come knocking at our doors; they should be knocking on our doors with petitions objecting to these obscene plans. We are living in a democracy and Porthcawl residents should have their say. When is the public meeting on regeneration going to happen? I believe the majority of people living in Porthcawl are very angry over these plans and feel we are being sold down the river. I understand that the new Sunnyside development Bridgend has secured a £315,000 funding from the Welsh Government as part of a Transforming Towns Green space initiative. Has anyone on the council considered applying for a grant for his or her poor relations in Porthcawl? I thought Porthcawl was ‘the jewel in the crown’? Urbanising its seafront is a strange way to treat your ‘jewel’.
