Lancaster City Council has received a planning application to install glass doors at either end of Anchor Lane, which links Lancaster Market Square with Church Street so that these doors can be locked shut when the cinema is not open.
While there is a separate ginnel nearby which is not affected by the plans, Anchor Lane has been in use as a public thoroughfare for centuries and green councillors say it would be “tragedy” if commercial interests closed it off.
Three green councillors have objected to the proposal on the grounds that Lancaster’s streets and alleyways should remain open at all times and should be improved and integrated into a high quality walking network to enhance Lancaster’s distinctive street patterns and historical significance.
“A dense pattern of streets and alleyways open at all times and contributing to the distinctiveness of historic towns and cities are very important,” argues Coun John Whitelegg. “Public space is precisely that and we should resist any attempt to privatise and shut off our streets and alleyways.
The closure proposal is exactly the kind of issue councillors and campaigners fear will become a regular problem if major private works such as Centros gain a foothold in the city.
“We have a wonderful pattern of ancient streets and alleyways in Lancaster and they give the city a strong historical identity and contribute to its significance as a tourist destination,” feels Jude Towers. “We must not spoil this with inappropriate additions like glass doors on our alleyways.”
“Closing off streets and alleyways by glass doors or any other means is wrong,” says Councillor Chris Coates, and should not happen at all and certainly not at the behest of a commercial organisation.”
People DIED to give us rights of way and rich cinema-owners and their puppets in the town hall have no right to close them.