Your Emails: "it would destroy the unique tranquil character of the road"

Simon Dowell, who lives in Inkerman Road (photos | map), sent the following letter to Michael Kissman at Tesco (michael.kissman@uk.tesco.com) and forwarded us a copy (tescocampaign@yahoo.co.uk). He's also intending to send an edited version to the local papers and elsewhere.

Dear Mr. Kissman,

Having seen Tesco's designs for the Evershed site in St Albans, I am very concerned about its impact on the local area and Inkerman Road in particular.

Inkerman Road is currently one of the most charming and desirable roads in St Albans. Although only a five minute walk from the station and the centre of town, it is a peaceful no-through road of lovely cottages that have managed to remain unspoilt by modern development. Most of its residents have paid a lot of money for their houses for precisely these reasons. Some of us have invested most of our incomes into restoring our properties in keeping with the locally listed status of the buildings, because we love the street and want to play our part in preserving the heritage of the city, and indeed the country.

Tesco have stated they would demolish three houses on Inkerman Road. However it is said that they own eleven properties, and the published plans show that the entire Eastern side from Bedford Road down would be demolished to make way for a car park and the main entrance road into the store. This would not only mean the loss of several characterful properties, but it would destroy the unique tranquil character of the road, and ruin the outlook and quality of life in the remaining homes.

Given the number of houses that Tesco owns in Inkerman Road, I am really concerned at the prospect that they use the same unpleasant tactics as in London Road, and leave the houses to become derelict so that the area is desperate for 'regeneration'. It will be just as unpleasant to live in such an environment as to look out onto a multi-story car park.

I am also concerned about the plans to demolish properties in Alma and London Roads for replacement with modern apartments. In terms of regeneration, flats are no comparison with houses for building a neighbourhood and community. I lived for seven years in a (nice) flat in St Albans and never even found out the names of my neighbours. However, after a few months in Inkerman Road I knew practically everyone in the street. Living in a house you come into contact with your neighbours much more frequently, whether it be over the garden fence, passing your window, or washing their cars in the road. There's a great atmosphere in Inkerman Road that you might not be aware of, but it is something special that we don't want you to destroy.

I would be very grateful if you could take into account the views of the local residents because we love the area we live in and don't want to lose it.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Dowell
Inkerman Road
St Albans

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