Have Your Say on the Canal Corridor Development

It's Our City are holding a public meeting on Thursday 9th November at 7.30 pm in St Walburge's Chapel, Cathedral Centre, Balmoral Road. This is the first of a series of meetings planned to be held around the city over the coming months.

The purpose of these meetings is to make local people aware of the latest plans for the proposed Canal Corridor North development by Centros Miller and the reasons for It's Our City's continued opposition.

It's Our City invite all members of the public and councillors to attend.

Whilst It's Our City appreciate being included in a working group set up by Centros Miller to discuss and provide input on their plans for the Canal Corridor, it is felt that their approach falls short of being truly inclusive, as only selected stakeholders, rather than the general public, have been invited to these workshops.

Andy Marsh of It's Our City comments 'True public consultation should be as wide as possible. This is particularly significant as Centros Miller are still failing to address the public demand for a genuine community-led development rather than their current retail-led plans'.

Emilie Secker adds 'Although Centros Miller have made it clear that they think they are trying to take account of local opinion, we do not think that they have gone far enough. Both Lancaster City Council and Centros Miller should go back to the beginning and find out what people really want, then come up with a plan that fits these criteria. Instead they have come up with a plan that fits their own interests, and are now trying to convince people that they should accept it'.

It's Our City also have launched a new section on their website www.itsourcity.org.uk This discussion forum is intended to widen the public debate and allow the people of Lancaster to voice their opinions on the canal corridor north development.