Call to list Clements Arcade (From Echo)

Call to list Clements Arcade

5:20am Thursday 27th March 2008

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FRESH plans for a traditional shopping arcade in Leigh have prompted calls for it to be given listed building status.

The proposals for Clements Arcade in the Broadway are similar to earlier plans turned down by Southend Council, except they include more parking spaces.

The previous plans were for an extended arcade with eight larger shops, nine flats and offices.

In the latest scheme, the upper floors would still be converted and extended to create five flats and some office space.

The number of parking spaces would be increased to 25 to overcome concerns about congestion on residential roads in the area.

However, Leigh Lib Dem councillor Peter Wexham remains critical of the plans.

He said: "It seems another way of just cramming Leigh full of flats and cars as much as possible.

"The only access would be through a very narrow alley which would not be suitable for the amount of traffic which is being suggested in these plans.

"Unless anyone can convince me otherwise, I think this development would be totally unsuitable."

Leigh Town Council is calling for the arcade to be given listed building status to protect it from future development plans.

At the town council's planning committee meeting, councillor Carole Mulroney said: "Apart from the church, this is the finest building in the Broadway.

"We should do everything we possibly can not to desecrate it. I think we should urge the borough council to locally list this building."

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