Business owner vows to fight demolition decision (From Borehamwood Times)

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Business owner vows to fight demolition decision

9:01am Saturday 28th June 2008

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By Marcus Dysch »

Furious business owners are campaigning to stop the oldest industrial estate in Borehamwood being replaced with housing.

Michael Purchase, who runs four vehicle repair companies at the Glenhaven Industrial Estate, in Glenhaven Avenue, is fuming after Hertsmere Borough Council granted planning permission for his businesses to be demolished and replaced with flats.The company that owns the site, Any Problems Ltd, was given the go-ahead to build eight flats at a council meeting last Thursday.But Mr Purchase, who has rented workshops at the site for ten years, said he would fight the decision. "This is an industrial estate and I don't agree with flats being put here," he explained."Not only will workers lose their jobs, but we train young people from Borehamwood by giving them apprenticeships and they will lose this opportunity."I still have two years left on my lease and want to renew it for another ten years."The industrial estate is separated from the residential section of the road by a set of gates, but in the past two years, flats have been built within the gated part, despite objections from business owners.Since January, Mr Purchase has been campaigning to save the 70-year-old estate and has collected signatures from hundreds of people who are opposed to flats and homes replacing businesses in the road.Pete Crossley, owner of J & M motors, which is next to Mr Purchase's businesses, said: "We provide a major service to the town. These businesses have been here for a long time and we are known, respected and trusted."Ten years ago, Mr Purchase was forced to relocate his 15-year-old business from Station Road to make way for a new housing development.He added: "If my businesses close I won't be relocated and I haven't got the finances or the energy to relocate again."I was born in Borehamwood and have lived here all my life and have always plied my trade here. If they think I am going away, they can think again."A council spokeswoman said the issue of relocating the workshops had been raised at the meeting and businesses were invited to contact the authority for advice.She said: "It is our understanding that the part of the development that affects them will not start until their lease has expired."In meeting the need for new homes in Hertsmere, there will inevitably be a rise in the number of housing developments and as part of the planning process, we consult with local people, including businesses, in the area of the development."No one from Any Problems Ltd was available for comment.

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Andy, Borehamwood says...
1:57pm Sat 28 Jun 08

Typical attitude of Hertsmere'We don't care about anyone' Borough Council.

They are not happy knocking down half the schools to make housing, now they're starting on the industial estates...

How long till they knock down the studios to make flats?

This town is getting ruined by the quick buck making developers and the local council, and no-one seems able to stop them..

I thought we lived in a democratic society where the majority ruled? Maybe not..

Hopefully the housing marked will crash and they will all get bitten.

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Ellie, Borehamwood says...
8:46am Sun 29 Jun 08

Maybe they should knock down the council offices, and build flats there - who would miss them. The road are falling apart, the high street is a disgrace. Too many people with not enough schools (who's fault is that? Oh yes the COUNCIL!) -- Solution - built more flats. Soon we will be like the inner city areas - load of people with nothing to do leading to rises in crime etc. well that's something to look forward to.

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James, borehamwood says...
5:12pm Sun 29 Jun 08

When will it sink in that the Tories (they run the borough) dont care a jot what happens in Borehamwood. They certainly wouldnt let this happen if it was proposed in Radlett, Aldenham or Potters Bar.

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Don't Call Me Dave, Just passing through says...
5:56pm Sun 29 Jun 08

Just as the EU comes up with all manner of crackpot regulations but only the UK obeys them, similarly the Labour government sets ridiculous housing targets but only Tory councils seem keen to implement them. It is hard to see how the council can serve the local community if it is willing to allow the destruction of the commercial fabric of the borough.

A more cynical person than me might suggest the reason the council wants to build more houses at the expense of local businesses is because the council gets to keep the council tax paid by householders, but business rates are handed over to the government.

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James, borehamwood says...
9:58am Mon 30 Jun 08

I think you need to keep passing through Dave as you really have no idea. The target was set 7 years ago and we have built one third of it already, that leaves 13 years to build the rest. Its only this idiotic Tory council worried that any more social housing might intrude on their leafy lanes in Radlett and Aldenham. That wouldn't do would it?

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Jack, Borehamwood says...
10:01am Mon 30 Jun 08

Yes, without this vehicle repair shop Borehamwood will be ruined.

Grow up.

The trouble with Borehamwood is all the HA homes and the assorted scum bags who live in them.

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Sandra, Borehamwood says...
12:14pm Mon 30 Jun 08

oh no! i'll miss it if it moved, it's so centrally located and easy to drop your car off and pick up. they're also great mechanics.

think again hertsmere. where do i sign the petition?

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Sandra, Borehamwood says...
12:19pm Mon 30 Jun 08

think again hertsmere don't move them!

they're a great garage, centrally located too so easy to drop and pick up the car. will look out for the petition to sign.

jack you don't sound like the friendliest person around either.

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ben, says...
2:01pm Mon 30 Jun 08

The council has no regard for the wider community. Its handling of the school-places fiasco has been terrible. Where is the accountability? The fact is the Conservatives have been voted in by the wealthy and religious, whose kids go to private or faith schools. So why should the council care about the rest?
Enough is enough. I say parents of kids who didn't get school places in Borehamwood, plus the owners of the businesses to be shut down should get together and hold a demo in front of the council offices. And anyone who is fed up should join too. Protests work in France. Let's have one here.

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jack, borehamwood says...
2:19pm Mon 30 Jun 08

why don't you all just move to france?

the "wealthy and religious" as you tag them, benefit the area in a number of ways. The poor don't. they just drain an area of life and suck everything they can from it.

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Borehamwood resident, says...
3:15pm Mon 30 Jun 08

Jack, you have no idea. The rich and religious don't give a **** abou the wider community. They have no desire to mix with anyone outside their own communities. It's the children I feel sorry for. They spend 18 or more years at home being brain-washed by their dysfunctional parents and then leave the real world having no respect for people not of their ilk.

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Borehamwood resident, says...
3:16pm Mon 30 Jun 08

Jack, you have no idea. The rich and religious don't give a **** about the wider community. They have no desire to mix with anyone outside their own communities. It's the children I feel sorry for. They spend 18 or more years at home being brain-washed by their dysfunctional parents and then leave for the real world having no respect for people not of their ilk.

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jack, Borehamwood says...
5:17pm Mon 30 Jun 08

Not sure I agree with that. Look at the shopping park - look at the investment of New Look, Outfit, HSBC, Costa etc. Look at the new M&S simply food and the new Starbucks. These have come to Borehamwood because of the influx of "wealthy and relegious" people. Even the Nandos and Yavnah College (which was scheduled to be housing before the jewish community took it and invested millions in it.

The point is, most of the good things in Borehamwood has been because of the "wealthy and religious".

I also hear that a new bakery and coffee shop is to open on the high street. Another benefit.

What benefit do the chavs bring to the area? is it on a hot sunny day we can see topless fat men in chunky gold chains and tattoos walking their staffie or is it the girls, dressed as prostitutes pushing their prams? There is an amusement arcade coming to blight the high street soon. You can be sure that their target audience is the dumb chav and scrounger, gambling their benefits. Not the wealthy and religious.

tell me one benefit to the area of the poor and unreligious?

Perhaps the god awful saturday morning market full of cheap knock off tripe? Maybe the graffittii covered skate park and basketball hoop in brooke road?

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br, says...
11:35pm Mon 30 Jun 08

starbucks?

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Jack, Borehamwood says...
12:47am Tue 1 Jul 08

coming soon my friend, where the M&S used to be. Also, Laura Ashley and Clarks Shoes.

A benefit of wealthy people moving to an area.

Soon the miami fried chicken will also be gone, replaced by shops and flats.

THIS IS A GOOD THING.

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Andy, Borehamwood says...
7:58am Tue 1 Jul 08

Had to laugh, yet another thread hijacked by 'Jack' with his rantings about the 'poor' and the 'unemployed' .. This is a story about a man losing his business, not about the people of Borehamwood , or the religious persuasion of people with money... Jack, keep your silly views to yourself and grow up mate, everyone is sick of listnening to your samey old rants week in, week out..

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B, says...
9:46am Tue 1 Jul 08

erm, I doubt your information about businesses moving in Jack. Why would Clark shoes open up. They had a shop few years back and shut it. Where do you get your info from. You live in fantasy land mate.

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Jack, Borehamwood says...
11:19am Tue 1 Jul 08

Andy - the owners of the industrial estate have the right to sell it if they wish. If this bloke was so concerned about his business, he should have bought his premises, then he couldn't be kicked out. Do you really believe the Owner of the land should have no rights to do what they want with their own land???

B- we'll see who is right.

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B, says...
11:41am Tue 1 Jul 08

Jack, tell me how you know, then I'll believe you. As usual you full of hot air.

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Confused, Bwood says...
12:07pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Jack, have you never heard of a Compulsory Purchase Order??

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m purchase, glenhaven avenue says...
1:46pm Tue 1 Jul 08

if i had half a million quid i would have bought it maybe if your pockets were as big as your mouth you could loan it to me thanks pal

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B, says...
2:28pm Tue 1 Jul 08

I reckon Jack is really a woman who lives in cuckoo land, believing that Borehamwood will one day rival Hampstead with its Laura Ashley's and Starbucks!

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jack, Borehamwood says...
6:20pm Tue 1 Jul 08

that's life M Purchase. My office moved last year after 25 years. the landlords wanted to redevelop the site. that is their right. we moved on.

i suggest you do the same.

B- as i said, we'll see who is right.

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jack, Borehamwood says...
6:24pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Confused - I don't think this is a situation involving a compulsary purchase order.

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Andy, Borehamwood says...
6:51pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Just like to ask Jack if he is an estate agent? He seems to know a lot about upcoming developments, and certainly enjoys telling people the benefit of property ownership..
On another note, I hope Mick gets to stay there, although the yard isnt brand new, he does good repairs for a good price and I wish him luck.

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Confused, Bwood says...
10:15pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Jack - might not be a CPO situation, but they do exist, and can stop people from having a say over what happens to their land.

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jane, borehamwood says...
10:18pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Jack grow and get a life or move. I support the man who has his garage under threat from these savage people where else can you get such good service and a friendly atmosphere

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Jack, Borehamwood says...
11:27pm Tue 1 Jul 08

no one is denying the man gives/provides a good service. it just so happens that he can't do it from that location any more.

The owner of that land wants to use it for something else. Why is that unreasonable? It wasn't as if the owner purchased the land specifically for Mr Purchase to run a garage from it is it?

If you rent/lease and the landlord wants you out and gives you contractual notice, then you are out.

I fail to see the news story here.

May as well say "Exclusive, Man told to move from parking space after two hours he had paid for expired"

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sandra, borehamwood says...
8:36am Wed 2 Jul 08

because borehamwood is fit to burst now with new developments.

primary schools are turning away local children.

built the flats in radlett, there's enough space there to build 5 bedroomed mansions and gated communities.

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Ellie, Borehamwood says...
2:07pm Wed 2 Jul 08

Good luck to the people with their heads in the clouds. You can have loads of chain stores but if no-one has a job what use are they. Everyone ends up on benfits the area goes to hell and those who are luck enough to still be working can expect to be burgaled or mugged by the people who have nothing.

Have you not noticed that all the shop at the top of the town are empty. It looks like an innercity slum area. Property owned by foreign investors who do not give a dam about the area or the people who live in it.

I was born in Borehamwood and lived here all my life - now all I see is over-rated shops. Marks & Spencer build that eyesore of a shop - the close in down and move. Everywhere is being left to fall apart. Rossington Avenue roadway is a disgrace. Manor Way shopping parade is a tip and you would not want to drive through the high street if you had a bad back, it like driving through a minefield. It is about time the planners were made to come and see the effects of their ideas.

Come on Hertsmere get the area sorted out, it used to be a nice place to live, it still can be if you don't let the area die. When I go down the village (no not the town - I still remember when it was a village - it's a local thing.) I don't want to be greated by boarded up shops and rubbish from take away. You may not live in the area but you were elected and it IS your responsibility to look after it.

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B, says...
3:54pm Wed 2 Jul 08

You wasting your breath Ellie. The wealthy council leaders don't read the local paper, or any wealthy inhabitant of the area for that matter. Hey Jack, you enjoying your "Starbucks" latte? Keep dreaming sunshine!

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Jack, Borehamwood says...
4:41pm Wed 2 Jul 08

B - yee of little faith. have some trust in Jack.

I am looking forward to mochiato.

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sandra, borehamwood says...
4:57pm Wed 2 Jul 08

i reckon jack is a fat chav, he seems to spend alot of time on here.

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Nicky, Borehamwood says...
8:36pm Thu 3 Jul 08

Yes,I know no relevance to the original article, but those of you who have been reading the Borehamwood Times jobs section may have noticed recruitment for Laura Ashley coming to the Boulevard soon. I know it sounds incredible. Borehamwood doesn't seem to be Laura Ashley land really, but I've seen it in black and white.

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Dom, Borehamwood says...
10:02am Fri 4 Jul 08

I have been making some enquires and it seems the gates that are spoken about should not even be there. The old plans of the road actually show the main Highway (glenhaven avene) continuing much further beyond the gates. Sureley where the road ends on plans should be the industrial area (believe the offical road ends just past the mechanics)So why are the gates there ??? and why do the council not continue and make up the rest of the road.

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B, says...
12:04pm Fri 4 Jul 08

hey nicky, so jack was not entirely lying. He reckons Starbucks and Clarkes coming too. Do we believe him? erm!

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Jack, Borehamwood says...
1:35pm Fri 4 Jul 08

B - if i'm wrong, i'll buy you a starbucks coffee.

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Ellie, Borehamwood says...
1:05am Sun 6 Jul 08

Don't know how many of you can remember when Campions was closed down for housing we said they there would not be enough schools and here we are putting kid in taxis for gods sake and sending the to Potters Bar. But don't worry guys because there are building another hotel in Elstree Way !!! I couldn't believe it when I saw the signs so now we have Oaklands, Ibis, Travel Lodge, can't remember the name of the new one and another on in Elstree on the trading estate. I didn't realise we had such a great tourist industry in the town. Maybe we could convert the hotels into schools.

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nicky, Borehamwood says...
1:54pm Sun 6 Jul 08

Well, jack's got two out of three right so far. Clarkes Shoes are indeed opening in Borehamwood, an notice for staff on the door of the Barnet branch confirms it. Weird when they shut a branch a few years back. So just Starbucks to go then, and out of the three they are the more likeliest. I think we owe Jack a coffee !

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Dee, Borehamwood says...
5:48pm Wed 9 Jul 08

Can anyone tell me where i will go to service my car in Borehamwood?a friendly independent workshop that wont rip you off? I shall be sitting in one of the many coffee shops waiting for an answer!

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Dee, Borehamwood says...
5:50pm Wed 9 Jul 08

Does anyone out there know who this Jack is? I think he works for the local council!

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lee, borehamwood says...
7:07pm Thu 10 Jul 08

3 out of 3 .... starbucks applied for planning permission for the old M&S about 2 months ago ... they are making it a glass building (like costa), so i guess it'll open in the next couple of months.

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