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FINES PLAN FOR ABANDONNED VEHICLES
17/1/03: Lancaster City Council is warning anyone thinking of 'abandoning' a vehicle that they could face a heavy fine.
The Department for Trade and Industry intends to introduce new legislation, following an EU Directive, that will make the last owner responsible for paying for the cost of disposal of a vehicle. However, predictions are that an extra 250,000 vehicles could be abandoned as a result of this new legislation. Lancaster City Council therefore wishes to remind residents that if they are disposing of a vehicle they should follow the proper procedures or face a hefty fine of up to £2,500 or three months imprisonment. In addition, abandoned vehicles are detrimental to the overall environment of District as well as costing the Council tax payer money. The council therefore urges everyone to act responsibly - for the benefit of all.
Within the last year the Lancaster City Council received over 900 reports of vehicles being abandoned within the District. The local authority is required by law to deal with abandoned vehicles.
" Each report of an abandoned vehicle requires thorough investigation," says Lancaster City Council's officer with responsibility for dealing with abandoned vehicles, Nigel Lucas. "It's important that reported vehicles are dealt with quickly as research indicates that the presence of abandoned vehicles on the streets encourages crime and presents a negative impression of the area. "
Usually some vehicles turn out to be stolen, others burned out and many dumped by their owners due to the fall in demand for scrap metal. In all cases the DVLA are contacted for details of the last owner so that the costs of recovery, storage and disposal can be recovered.
Cabinet member with responsibility for Environment Health issues, Coun David Barker said:: "The most unfortunate aspect of the problem is that the resources, that are required by the Council to deal with this ever increasing problem, could be spent on other service areas. We would urge all car owners to act responsibly."

CYCLING FORWARD
17/1/03: Lancaster City Council has recently reviewed and updated its cycling strategy to promote it as a "mainstream mode of travel".

SUE JAZZES IT UP AT THE JOHN

NEW MUSEUMS PARTNERSHIP SET TO BENEFIT PUBLIC

8 Mile High starring hip-hop's Eminem is one of the film's opening at the new Regal Cinema in Lancaster this week. Photo © Universal Pictures

REGAL OPENS ON FRIDAY
15/1/03: Lancaster's former ABC cinema re-opens as The Regal this Friday (17th) with Northern Morris Associated Cinemas determined to offer a range of films they feel will appeal to Lancaster's cinema fans.
Based in Grange-over-Sands, Northern Morris Associated Cinemas, which already runs cinemas in Windermere, Keighley, Elland and Skipton.
NMAC head Charles Morris told Virtual-Lancaster he felt that the town lent itself toward "more imaginative programming" and hopes not only to screen mainstream releases but also films that are unlikely to get a wide screening. "I was thinking of putting on [Fernando Meirelles’] City of God in the opening week, but that seemed a little heavy alongside 8 Mile High," Mr. Morris reveals.
Mr. Morris says he pursued the lease on the art-deco cinema for months prior to securing the deal, approaching the estate agents back in December 2001 after hearing of the ABC's imminent closure and the withdrawal by Village Cinemas from the UK, which spelled the end to plans for a new cinema in Church Street (see our ABC closure feature)."As soon as we discovered the premises were closing we made enquiries," he explains, "but we could not re-open any sooner for legal reasons."
"We're probably going to give the senior citizen screenings a go," he reveals of his programming plans, "and weekend screenings for children, subject to film availability.
"We might also try to do late night screenings," he adds, which he feels will be popular with Lancaster's huge student population, who might also respond to marathon film screenings.
Whatever his plans, here at Virtual-Lancaster we're delighted to see a locally-based cinema group bring the King Street building back to life, and we'll be promoting all their film releases on our Cinema Listings page and in our weekly e-newsletter.

MIDLAND HOTEL SOLD AGAIN
14/1/03: Morecambe's art deco Midland Hotel has been sold -- this time to property developers Urban Splash (note this is a Flash-based site). The company's chairman Tom Bloxham says he hopes they will be able to restore it back as a hotel and restaurant, but the project will be very difficult and expensive.

Britannia Mills - the first of three developments in Urban Splash's Britannia Basin site in Castlefield, Manchester. All 125 lofts sold before the end of Summer 1999. Photo © Urban Splash

Over the last decade, Urban Splash has established itself as a pioneer of regeneration and an advocate of modern design. The company has received 84 awards to date --including Manchester Business of the year -- for business success, architecture and its contribution to regeneration. Espousing a "Live, Work and Play" philosophy, it is regarded as a major property and regeneration specialist, known for its expertise in transforming local run-down, inner-city buildings. Past schemes include Britannia Mills (pictured), the Smithfields Building and New Islington, formerly the Cardroom estate, in Manchester.
The company has also invested over £100 million in development projects in Liverpool since 1993. Its projects in the city include converting the old Match Factory - a Grade II listed art deco building - into a high quality business park, and The Tea Factory into apartments with views over Liverpool and the River Mersey and studio workplaces for creative industries, restaurants and bars.
The company is also behind a a £25 million waterfront development of Walsall town centre, which the Walsall Express and Star says is expected to include leisure attractions, theme shops and housing, could become Walsall's answer to Birmingham's Brindleyplace. Urban Splash is also developing a scheme at Altrincham designed by Sir Norman Foster, as well as schemes at Plymouth, Birmingham and Bradford.
Urban Splash says it is different to other developers, developing a range of land uses including residential, office, leisure, retail and industrial accommodation -- spaces for people to live, work and play. The company says each development represents a commitment to quality contemporary design, in the belief that quality design has the power to influence the quality of life of the people who use and experience their buildings. Its Chairman, Tom Bloxham MBE, was one contributor to the last year's Sustainable Development Conference, organised by the Sustainable Development Commission chaired by Jonathon Porritt.
"I have known the building for years, visited it on many occasions and watched its gradual decline with sadness," said Tom Bloxham, commenting on the purchase of the Midland. "When I heard that the latest restoration scheme had fallen through and Urban Splash was asked to intervene, I decided to buy the building. "It is a fantastic building," he added."I hope we will be able to restore it back as a hotel and restaurant, but it will be very difficult, expensive and will no doubt take several years. For now we have to take stock, look carefully at what exactly needs doing to the building. The first stage is to appoint an architect to help lead the process and we hope to work up a scheme in conjunction with the local authority, English Heritage and other interested parties."
Commenting on the sale news, Lancaster City Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for Regeneration, Coun James Airey said: "This is a very welcome development. Like everyone else, Lancaster City Council was bitterly disappointed that the previous owners' plans for the hotel failed to materialise. In Urban Splash we have an established and nationally recognised company with a strong reputation for securing development of unused building. We look forward to receiving their planning applications for the development of this central Morecambe feature in due course."
Leader of Lancaster City Council, Coun Tricia Heath added: "The city council is a key player in the Morecambe Action Plan which proposes the development of tourism, residential and business strategies that could bring millions of pounds investment in the resort.
"The Midland is obviously a key piece in that jigsaw and Urban Splash's decision to buy the hotel is an important vote of confidence in the resort. This is a very welcome start to the New Year for Morecambe, and I wish Urban Splash every success."

• Read Tom Bloxham's vision for urban living at Inside Housing (PDF file): Go

MAYOR'S DONATE 2 Sk8 CHARITY APPEAL HITS £2500 MARK
14/1/03: The Mayor's Charity Appeal, Donate 2 Sk8, had a brilliant start last month with over £2,500 in donations being received from local residents and companies.
Lancaster & Morecambe College were the first local organisation to join Lancaster City Council outlets to register their support for the appeal as a collection point for "Donate 2Sk8 Week", which was held from the 2 - 8 December 2002. This meant members of the public visiting the sports facilities at the College were asked to donate 50p towards the appeal during that week and raised £96.50.
"I'm delighted with the initial response to the appeal," said the Mayor, Councillor Eileen Blamire. "A very special thanks must go to Enterprise plc, Reebok and Lancaster & Morecambe College for their generous donations of £500 each. I hope this will encourage more local companies to get involved in raising the much needed funding for skate parks in this district.
"I am also very grateful to everyone who has donated even £10 to the appeal. It is sometimes the small amounts which mean so much to people."
Anyone still wishing to make a donation may do so by sending cash or a cheque made payable to the 'Mayor's Charity Fund' to The Mayor's Office, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ.

FASCISTS CONDEMNED
14/1/03: Lancaster's local Labour Party has roundly condemned the possibility that the British National Party may field candidates in this year's local council elections (see last week' story).
"There should be no welcome and no support given to the British National Party anywhere in Lancaster," members of the Party, including local MP Hilton Dawson, commented in a joint statement. "The British National Party is a neo-nazi organisation riddled with people with serious criminal convictions for activities such as racial violence and incitement to racial hatred. It enters elections in order to subvert democracy and destroy the harmony of communities."
The BNP has suggested it may field a number of candidates, and some Skerton wards -- including Ryelands Estate -- were being considered.
"The existence of the British National Party is an insult to all those who fought and endured the second World War against Nazi Germany," the statement continues. "The British National Party represents a threat to anyone who is Jewish, Muslim, Black, Asian, Gay, to anyone who is a trade unionist, who suffers mental illness, or from disability, to anyone at all who is prepared to stand up to them.
"No-one should be prepared to tolerate the presence of this evil in our community.
"It is a matter of enormous regret and concern that four representatives of the British National Party have been elected as councillors in Burnley and Blackburn. We hope that they will soon be defeated by the people of those towns.
The Labour representatives hope that local people will rally together against the BNP if they choose to field candidates in the area. "Today, we are calling upon all the democratic political parties across Lancaster, religious groups, trade unions, individuals, and organisations to join with us in pledging that there is no place for the British National Party in our community and in recognising that we all need to organise together to ensure that there is no welcome for them here."
• Searchlight Magazine article on the BNP's recent rise
• Read how the BNP raise awareness of their party by writing to local papers

UNIVERSITY BUILDING WORK BEGINS
14/1/03: Galgate and Ellel residents have begun to suffer from University building expansion work, reports Steve Booth. "After the chain link fencing off of the Jarvis Lancaster University expansion area, the new tree belt, and access road site, (a much bigger area than some residents thought) the latest horror is that two huge pile driver machines have started thumping away all day long, giving the residents of Galgate and especially Ellel a headache," says Steve.
"Work started at eight o'clock on Friday morning and there is contractors' mud all over Green Lane."
Jarvis, the international facilities management group, was appointed last year as their preferred partner by Lancaster University for the creation and operation by Jarvis University Partnerships Programme (Jarvis UPP) of around 4,350 new student residences and associated social facilities, replacing existing tired stock and resulting in a net increase of 1,750 residences for the University.
Local residents have expressed concerns at the drainage problems the development may cause -- which forced the council to ask for changes to the final plans -- while others point out the expansion points to further worrying "ribbon development" on green fields south of Lancaster.
"We have to understand the context," Steve Booth commented last year. "The proposed Whinney Carr housing estates and the existing Royal Albert housing site, together with the proposed science park near the old water works, will join the south of Lancaster to the university. "More developments, housing estates, university expansions eating up the beautiful countryside here are clearly part of their obscene plan."
This is the largest student accommodation project undertaken by Jarvis to date, with an estimated cost of some £140 million, and will bring the total number of student rooms either already operated by Jarvis or for which Jarvis has preferred bidder status to more than 18,000.
The long-term concession will require Jarvis to build and maintain the residences for a minimum period of 25 years, potentially increasing to 34 years. In addition Jarvis will procure all necessary funding for the project. The initial income will be £12m per annum.
Construction is scheduled for completion in 2006.

• Read why local residents oppose the expansion: Go
• Read the original press release about the expansion plans and the Jarvis role: Go

LOCAL PROTEST TO GULF WAR GROWS
14/1/03: Local war protestors are holding a gathering in Dalton Square this Friday (17th) to mark the 10th year anniversary since the last gulf war started. The event will start at 6.00pm.
The campaigners have been brought together by deep concerns about the prospects of a new attack on Iraq, distressed by the warmongering of the US and by the possibility that this country's military forces could be sent out to join the infliction of death, destruction and suffering on countless human beings.
" This action was inspired by an e-mail that has gone out to people around the world," said a spokesperson. "Anyone against the war is asked to go out to a central place, gather on the village greens, in the town squares or outside county or government buildings. The gathering has a key aim -- for everyone to come along and imagine what a world without wars could be like, where the devastating horrors of war are considered a price too high to pay! "Be what you wanna see, dress up and impersonate aspects you want to strengthen in this world," suggested the spokesperson, "Or bring an object that symbolises the quality you want to create! Apart from peace you might want more trees, hope, bicycles, green energy, happy kids, safe transport, chemical free foods, justice, harmony, joy, happiness."
Those who want to get involved should feel free to bring candles, flares, drums, whistles, flags, chalks, food and flasks of soup!
For more info call: 01524 51358 or e-mail:

LIVE MUSIC CAMPAIGN ONLINE
14/1/03: Local musician Angie Palmer has joined over 36,000 live music lovers in signinga new online petition protesting the "Two in a Bar" rule that threatens to destroy the local pub music scene.
Meanwhile, Virtual_Lancaster contributor and musician Jon Moore reports that he recently had a response both by phone and letter from Hilton Dawson to his letters protesting the planned licensing law changes in which he claimed that The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (who are drafting the licensing bill) say that it won't affect live music. The Musicians Union says such claims are nonsense. "The Licensing Bill has been produced under the aegis of the Department for Culture," says MU representative Hamish Birchall. "It proposes that the provision of one unamplified musician in any bar, or indeed public performance in any place, should be a criminal offence - unless first licensed. On the other hand, it proposes that broadcast entertainment, or incidental recorded music, however powerfully amplified, should be exempt. Such an approach is, without question, 'conceptual bullshit'." In a further twist exposing the lunacy of the government's proposals, Lord McIntosh, a government whip, confirmed in the House of Lords in December that even under the new rules, carol singers in public places, such as railway stations or supermarkets would require a licence. In other words, their performance would be a criminal offence unless licensed, maximum penalty a £20,000 fine or six months in jail.
"Hilton is obviously rattled by his post bag on this issue so it's important to keep up the pressure," says Jon. "I've just heard there may be a protest in Trafalgar Square at the end of January at which musicians will carry their instruments, be gagged, and definitely not play. As soon as I have more details I'll let you know."

• Read the Petition: Go
• Don't Let the Music Die
Local musician Jon Moore speaks out against government proposals which could devastate the local music scene

RYELANDS LAND SALE DEBATE RUMBLES ON?
14/1/03: Confusion seems to surround last week's Cabinet decision regarding the possible sale of local park land.
Last week, the City Council's cabinet considered the sale or long lease of land within Ryelands Park in connection with a proposal for a dedicated new building as part of the Lancaster's Sure Start programme for underprivileged children (see last week's related story). The options discussed were the selling of a long lease to Sure Start (effectively a sale, but the Council retaining the freehold) or a long lease at a peppercorn rent (£1 per annum with no money up front).
Council leader Tricia Heath told Virtual-Lancaster that local authorities, such as the city council and the county council, are required to obtain best consideration for the sale or lease of land.
According to Coun Heath, Cabinet therefore decided that negotiations take place with Lancashire County Council -- the body accountable for Sure Start -- on the basis of a long lease for the land required to construct a new building for the Sure Start initiative.
Despite this statement that the sale of land was not being considered, councillors themselves seem uncertain as what cabinet has agreed. Labour spokesperson Coun Ian Barker has countered "It is not true that the fact that there are negotiations means that the Cabinet has not decided to sell the land. The Cabinet minutes clearly record the decision that the negotiations are to be on the basis of selling the land at market value. "
"Coun Heath is right in saying that the Council has to get the best terms for its transactions," Liberal Democrat councillor John Gilbert told Virtual-Lancaster. "However, the Cabinet has agreed to enter into negotiations with the County Council, Sure StartÕs accountable body, to obtain the best terms on the basis of a long leasehold only.
"There may be some confusion in the use of the word 'sale' in this context, but the important thing is that the City Council will retain future use of the land for its citizens." While supporting the Sure Start programme, some Skerton residents have expressed concern that any decision to sell land in a public park sets a precedent that could see further park land sales in future. Green councillor Jon Barry is concerned at the "using up" of part of a public park for a building, however good its intentions. "It seems to me that parks are too easy a target for such developments and I would have preferred, say, to have used a Council property on Ryelands."
Coun Barker says out that although the building is in Ryelands Park, the implication that valuable park land is to be lost is nonsense. "It is on the site of redundant and now demolished garages," he points out.
"I do not believe that [residents] would object to a relatively small part of the park being used for community purposes," comments John Gilbert, "details of which will form part of the negotiations."

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER COUNCIL'S PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
13/1/03: Only seven weeks remain for local budding photographers, both young and old, to get their pictures in for the photographic competition featured in Lancaster City Council's community magazine.
So whether you are an amateur or a semi professional photographer, this could be your chance to get your snapshot adorning the front cover of a future edition of Your District Council Matters. The magazine is sent to some 61,000 households across the district and as an added bonus the winning entries will also be put on display in the Folly Gallery on Friday 21 March, 2003.
Entering is easy. Just send your favourite photograph depicting a scene from the district. It could be a summer event in Morecambe, a sunset across the bay, one of Lancaster's historic buildings or a landscape from the Lune Valley.
There are two categories. The Junior Section is open to 16 year olds and under and the Senior Section is open to anyone 17 or over.
Slides and prints should be posted to Cath Gillin, Communications Office, Lancaster Town Hall, Lancaster LA1 1PJ. Digital images must be a minimum of 300 dpi, in jpeg or tif format and emailed to Cath Gillin at or sent on disk to the above address. Don't forget to include your name, age, address and telephone number with your picture.
The closing date for entries is 28 February, 2003.

SAY NO TO ID CARDS
13/1/03: Campaigners against government plans to introduce new National ID Cards have set up an online means of protesting the proposals at www.stand.org.uk. You can read the arguments against the proposed system on the site and then fill in a basic form which sends your protest message to the Home Office, and, if you choose, it also faxes your MP. where you
You can also write direct by ordinary post to the Entitlement Cards Unit, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT

DUKES CLOSED
13/1/03: The Dukes will be closed from Monday 3 - 4 February for essential plumbing work. This means that planned screenings of Minor Mishaps on Monday at 8.00pm and 28 Days Later on Tuesday at 8.00pm have to be cancelled.

GREENFINGER TIPS ON OFFER
13/1/03: Are you greenfingered or would you like to become a gardening pro?
Now you have got a chance to get Lancaster City Council's expert gardeners tips and knowledge for use in your own garden.
Lancaster City Council is starting gardening courses for the members of public, which will be run by Myerscough College at the City Council's White Lund Plant and Training Centre in Morecambe.
Operations Manager Paul Cocker from the City Council's City Contract Services will be one of the course lecturers. Commenting, he said: This is the third year that the courses have been running and they have proved to be very popular. Whether you want to become a semi professional or just to hang a few flower baskets there is something available for everyone on these courses.
A course called 'Amateur Gardening' will start on 22 January and will run for ten weeks. The 'Hanging Baskets' course starts on Wednesday 30 April. A 'One Day Hanging Baskets' session will be held on Saturday 17 May. A 'One Day Propagation' course will run on Saturday 10 May.
To reserve a place on any of these courses Contact Lynne Jones at the Myerscough College on 01995 642255.

WASTE NO MORE
13/1/03: Local environmentalists are urging their supporters to be part of a mass lobby of Parliament next week (22nd) that can turn the UK around from being one of the worst Recyclers to one of the best! "This is our chance to get a comprehensive doorstep recycling bill through Parliament in the next few months," said a spokesperson. "We have everything to play for -- but to succeed we need us all and our friends - hundreds of us to turn up.
The rally will take place at 1.00 pm at Emmanuel Centre, 9 - 23 Marsham Street, London on 22 January. Speakers will include Tony Juniper, Now Executive Director, Friends of the Earth, Joan Ruddock MP and Dominic Hogg, Waste Expert.
The lobby will start at 2.00 pm at St. Stephen's Entrance, House of Parliament, Westminster, followed by a networking session from 4.00 pm until 9.00 pm at the Emmanuel Centre (with free hot drinks and biscuits!)
Free coaches are being organised to pick people up from destinations round the country - and take you back at the end of the day.
For details please call 08705 224488 in the next few days or look on the website at: www.foe.co.uk/waste_lobby

Last Week's News Items: Go