Concern for musicians

LABOUR'S C D Walman (Opinions, August g), asks about the Green Party's views on the development of the Kingsway and the former Mitchell's brewery sites.

We have been strongly opposed to the Eastern Relief Road for many years. However, we also have strong views about how these sites are developed and whether such development is for the benefit of local people or for the benefits of developers.

I understand that other colleagues are replying about our view for the whole site. However, I am particularly concerned about the fate of the Musician's Co-op on St. Leonardgate.

This is a council-owned building which has provided an invaluable service to musicians in the district for many years.

It is run on a shoe-string budget but still provides excellent recording and rehearsal space.

The council has deferred selling the building until a developer puts forward a planning application for its 'vision' of the whole area. Unfortunately, past experience has shown that developers are not generally interested in enterprises that provide a valuable community service but make little money.

 The Green Party's representative on the cabinet, Gina Dowding, managed to amend the planning brief so that community developments on the site would be acceptable in planning terms.

However, she will need to be backed up when it comes to the crucial decision as to whether the council sells the Musicians Co-op or not.

By refusing to take up its positions on the cabinet, Labour will not be able to provide this backing, even if they were minded to provide it.

I very much hope that the other political groups on the cabinet will see the Musician's Co-op as an important part of the cultural and natural environment that makes Lancaster a special place to be.

 Coun Jon Barry Cromwell Road Lancaster