CURRENT ISSUES

The new National Brewery Centre telling the story of Burton's brewing heritage and featuring new interactive and audio visual displays is due to open at the end of May 2010. We understand archives are to be maintained but are unlikely to be accessible in the near future. The Steering Group set up to help secure a future for the former Brewing Museum of which we are a part will continue to meet and monitor progress.

We have been in talks with Staffordshire County Council about refurbishment and maintenance of the Ferry Bridge, one of our town's most recognisable landmarks, a great piece of engineering and part of our heritage. Plans took a step further when a principal inspection took place week commencing 1 March 2010.

South Derbyshire District Council have issued a 'Strategic Land Availability Assessment' which includes agricultural land in Derbyshire immediately adjacent to Winshill, at Newton Road and Hawfield Lane. We have indicated our opposition to any extension of the town over the county boundary in this area.

Proposals for a Gas-Fired Power Station at Centrum West Business Park are being developed by ESB International. The Society has studied outline proposals and now await a more detailed Environmental Impact Assessment.

Proposals to develop Lawns Farm are being monitored closely. The Society strongly believes it is important for Tatenhill Ridge (the area from Battlestead Hill, through Lawns Farm, Sinai Park, Oak Wood to the Outwoods Hills) remains open, green space.

The Society has responded to ESBC’s Air Quality Action Plan consultation document and is monitoring progress in the defined management areas.

The future of Burton Market is an issue with ESBC considering proposals to appoint an external operator. We have written to the Council outlining specific concerns and seeking further information. In the meantime we are pursuing listing of the Victorian Market Hall with the Department for Culture Media and Sport and English Heritage.

The latest planning application submitted by Tesco for the Bargates site was refused by ESBC. Talks between ESBC and Tesco have since been held and we await further developments.