By Isabel Ward, chairman of Wellington in Bloom

HOW much longer do residents and businesses in Wellington have to put up with the scandal that is the lack of serious future development of Cornhill?

Wellington in Bloom first became involved with the derelict state of Cornhill as far back as 2001 when complaints of ‘odour nuisance and accumulation of rubbish in Cornhill’ were referred to the Environmental Health Officer, and the then owner/occupiers of 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were asked to co-operate in keeping the area free from waste, smells and rodents, in compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

In June 2003 proposals put forward by Taunton Deane Borough Council were put before Wellington Town Council to upgrade what Cllr John Williams described as the ‘jewel in Wellington’s crown as Bath Place is for Taunton’.

The Leader of the Council had been ‘appalled by what he saw’. Cllr Williams elaborated on a number of issues which needed addressing as a matter of urgency and others which required a long-term recovery programme (details in letter to town clerk dated June 3, 2003, including the cleaning of the brick paving, which was the responsibility of the county council). Cllr Williams reassured Wellington Town Council that resources would be applied on the basis of need, not on location, as Wellington was part of Taunton Deane’s responsibility.

In September 2004 Cllr Bob Bowrah recommended a Cornhill working party be set up composed of town councillors, the three retail businesses – Don’s Fishmongers, Ruth’s Cafe and King’s Cycles – and officials from TDBC, who carried out some improvements to Cornhill (WWN article September 22, 2004).

In January 2005 Rayglow Securities wrote that it had been in discussions with developers…to draw up plans for the redevelopment of its property. The company secretary referred to the pigeons in Cornhill and confirmed the broken windows at number 5 would be boarded up (letter January 18, 2005).

In the following years, even with a working party and constant pressure from the retailers, there were more empty words and buck passing, and little progress to turn this jewel in Wellington’s crown into another Bath Place. Any hope of progress was destroyed by the disastrous fire on December 28, 2008, leaving the facades to the shops standing but the buildings gutted behind.

The buildings remained under wraps, public access was closed and retailers branded the boarded-up Cornhill a disgrace.

Now part of Cornhill has been renovated and thanks to several enterprising businesses the whole thoroughfare could have a future like Bath Place in Taunton. So why are we still waiting after l4 years for the owners of properties to be forced to improve their derelict buildings beginning at No 1? In Taunton they would soon be found, even if the owners did live in the Emirates, with a contact, Urban Spectrum (0161 830 5415), in 2013.

Do we really have to accept that cutbacks in the local authority budget are an excuse that nothing can be done to make this passageway a delightful shopping experience for residents, retailers and visitors to our attractive and welcoming town.

I believe there is legislation on the statue book whereby local authorities can compel owners to improve their properties which are adversely affecting the amenity of the town centre. I believe this is enshrined in the Town & Country Planning Act 1991.Cornhill is in need of some powers to be enforced. I have news cuttings going back over the years.

A copy of this record has been sent to both the town clerk and the MP.