The permit is approved. The Art Hub is officially moving forward.
October 17, 2020
Final supporters
'Blandford Art Hub' trying to bring the arts to Blandford Forum....
We, the community and visitors of Blandford Forum are petitioning Dorset County Planners and Blandford Forum Town Council. We want them to recognise the community need for this art workshop. We believe that the temporary wooden sheds will not cause the community and visitors “significant harm” or detrimentally impact the surrounding area.
“I am trying to create a modest home and a starting point for art within the community. It will include different art workshops for all abilities and ages. We want to ensure there is something for everyone, including visitors to our town. Its very important for it to be accessible to all, including those with no transport. So being close to the town centre will help enable this to happen and at the same time generate a diversity of activities within the town centre. Our town centre shops and businesses always struggle with not enough footfall which is a common problem in smaller rural towns. By creating something that is a destination point and will encourage people into the town centre has to be a good thing.
However the project can not proceed and this is why.
There is a small piece of private land south of Nightingale court, just between East St and the car park by M&S. It is foot access only via a small bridge by the car park or through Nightingale Court, East St (DT117ED). It is used as shortcut from the carpark to the high street. Many think it is a public footpath but it is not. It has been run down and overgrown for many many years, in part because landowners don't know what to do with it. Planners keep turning down ideas and that is because most of Blandford Forum is a conservation area. The new land owner agreed for it to be used for the art hub. This is a voluntary non profit project therefore has minimal finances. To get the project established and to see if the location and idea works, it was important to have a simple start up cost.
We were donated two sheds, which will be renovated to make a pleasant and attractive space. We have funding waiting, but cannot go ahead unless the planners grant permission. Once the renovation work has been done the sheds will make an ideal art studio and starting point for this project. Although a private space we still have to go to planning to request a change of use to make these sheds into a community art workshop (they are not considered permitted development due to the land being classed as amenity land). This will initially be for 3 years. If the idea did not work, then the studio sheds could be removed with no lasting damage to the environment and any heritage assets. Unfortunately they will not consider the planning application as they say it's "causing significant harm to the environment". The only way they may consider it is if they know there is overwhelming support, not only from the community but those coming into Blandford and Blandford Town Council.
Is this prospective Community project really causing so much harm?
So if you think
1. There is a need for art within the community and this type of project in Blandford.
2. That it is not causing significant harm to the environment.
3. That the Town Council should vote in favour of supporting the Art Hub planning application and its use of the sheds.
..then please sign this petition. Thank you for your support!”
I am now crowd funding to make this project happen. A new planning application must be submitted. If you feel you are able to give a little we would be truly thankful. Please go to....
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blandford-art-hub
This is separate from any donations asked for on this petition site which is to help them offer a free service to people like me and not to fund my project. Thankyou again.
Kate Seeger
Project co-ordinator
Updates
August 19, 2020
The momentum is undeniable. It is clear that Blandford wants this art hub to happen.
Reached 100 supporters
August 19, 2020
105 Comments
Until the present owner cleared the garden it was not 'amenity land' but a tip. The sheds and workshops will make this a real amenity. Planners, please exercise common sense!
Yes much of Blandford is a conservation area but so are many towns and they still find a way to be progressive rather than rejecting everything new. There needs to be some flexibility or Blandford town centre will become a ghost town.
I would like to see this run down area which can be used currently used for antisocial behaviour turned into an art hub which many stakeholders within the community can benefit from. Young to aging. A welcomed addition to the area.
I wondered at the lack of progress on the Art Sheds, now learn it is planning hold-up. This area has needed use for years and is held up for the boundary wall of one neighbouring property? I don't know if I would use it personally but I have a load of arts & crafts materials I would happily donate.
A hub for artists and the creation of art is exactly what's missing in our town. This could really add a new buzz to the place and make good use of a very underused area of the town centre. Give this temporary building for a Blandford art hub the three year go ahead and review how it goes then! Nothing ventured; nothing gained!
The Arts need support and a true hub.
Good luck with this
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The permit is approved. The Art Hub is officially moving forward.
October 17, 2020
Final supporters
'Blandford Art Hub' trying to bring the arts to Blandford Forum....
We, the community and visitors of Blandford Forum are petitioning Dorset County Planners and Blandford Forum Town Council. We want them to recognise the community need for this art workshop. We believe that the temporary wooden sheds will not cause the community and visitors “significant harm” or detrimentally impact the surrounding area.
“I am trying to create a modest home and a starting point for art within the community. It will include different art workshops for all abilities and ages. We want to ensure there is something for everyone, including visitors to our town. Its very important for it to be accessible to all, including those with no transport. So being close to the town centre will help enable this to happen and at the same time generate a diversity of activities within the town centre. Our town centre shops and businesses always struggle with not enough footfall which is a common problem in smaller rural towns. By creating something that is a destination point and will encourage people into the town centre has to be a good thing.
However the project can not proceed and this is why.
There is a small piece of private land south of Nightingale court, just between East St and the car park by M&S. It is foot access only via a small bridge by the car park or through Nightingale Court, East St (DT117ED). It is used as shortcut from the carpark to the high street. Many think it is a public footpath but it is not. It has been run down and overgrown for many many years, in part because landowners don't know what to do with it. Planners keep turning down ideas and that is because most of Blandford Forum is a conservation area. The new land owner agreed for it to be used for the art hub. This is a voluntary non profit project therefore has minimal finances. To get the project established and to see if the location and idea works, it was important to have a simple start up cost.
We were donated two sheds, which will be renovated to make a pleasant and attractive space. We have funding waiting, but cannot go ahead unless the planners grant permission. Once the renovation work has been done the sheds will make an ideal art studio and starting point for this project. Although a private space we still have to go to planning to request a change of use to make these sheds into a community art workshop (they are not considered permitted development due to the land being classed as amenity land). This will initially be for 3 years. If the idea did not work, then the studio sheds could be removed with no lasting damage to the environment and any heritage assets. Unfortunately they will not consider the planning application as they say it's "causing significant harm to the environment". The only way they may consider it is if they know there is overwhelming support, not only from the community but those coming into Blandford and Blandford Town Council.
Is this prospective Community project really causing so much harm?
So if you think
1. There is a need for art within the community and this type of project in Blandford.
2. That it is not causing significant harm to the environment.
3. That the Town Council should vote in favour of supporting the Art Hub planning application and its use of the sheds.
..then please sign this petition. Thank you for your support!”
I am now crowd funding to make this project happen. A new planning application must be submitted. If you feel you are able to give a little we would be truly thankful. Please go to....
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blandford-art-hub
This is separate from any donations asked for on this petition site which is to help them offer a free service to people like me and not to fund my project. Thankyou again.
Kate Seeger
Project co-ordinator
Updates
August 19, 2020
The momentum is undeniable. It is clear that Blandford wants this art hub to happen.
Reached 100 supporters
August 19, 2020
105 Comments
I definitely support this worthwhile project. It’s a wonderful idea as would help me and many people who are looking to rekindle their abilities in art and those who’d like to learn. It’s great for self astern and those with depression. What’s not to like.
Until the present owner cleared the garden it was not 'amenity land' but a tip. The sheds and workshops will make this a real amenity. Planners, please exercise common sense!
Yes much of Blandford is a conservation area but so are many towns and they still find a way to be progressive rather than rejecting everything new. There needs to be some flexibility or Blandford town centre will become a ghost town.
I would like to see this run down area which can be used currently used for antisocial behaviour turned into an art hub which many stakeholders within the community can benefit from. Young to aging. A welcomed addition to the area.
I wondered at the lack of progress on the Art Sheds, now learn it is planning hold-up. This area has needed use for years and is held up for the boundary wall of one neighbouring property? I don't know if I would use it personally but I have a load of arts & crafts materials I would happily donate.
A hub for artists and the creation of art is exactly what's missing in our town. This could really add a new buzz to the place and make good use of a very underused area of the town centre. Give this temporary building for a Blandford art hub the three year go ahead and review how it goes then! Nothing ventured; nothing gained!
The Arts need support and a true hub.
Good luck with this
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I definitely support this worthwhile project. It’s a wonderful idea as would help me and many people who are looking to rekindle their abilities in art and those who’d like to learn. It’s great for self astern and those with depression. What’s not to like.