19 July 2026
Having previously lived in Buxton and now living in the High Peak area, I have witnessed some appalling planning decisions made in Buxton, including demolishing iconic buildings on Spring Gardens, such as Miller's Cafe and Milligan's Department store to name just two. Buxton Centre is an amalgamation of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings many of which need sympathetic restoration. This proposed development is an eyesore. It resembles a Soviet era style barracks with a watchtower and seems to be deliberately designed not to blend in. There will be no parking available for visitors apart from a proposed car park at the side of the railway station, which I understand has not yet been given permission for and which would necessitate people to negotiate a steep path down to the shops which is far from ideal for the disabled, people with prams and older citizens. It is unclear why these flats are needed when there are many large empty buildings which could be restored and used for accommodation. Anyone living in these flats would have to fight for a car parking space as there are not enough for the number of proposed residents. I would also point out that although sittng in a cafe alongside the river Wye on a summers day might be pleasurable, Buxton in the winter months is usually cold and rainy.