“Well no, not really Lee because thats what we pay the council for and likely as not any of the peoples ideas will be written off as "too expensive" or "not viable".
Generally it might be a good idea to knock the dambed thing down but I suspect that as we're talking about covering it up that this probably costs too much also..........”

“Hi Cam,

I thought I was commenting on Ilfracombe, the place where I went to Infants, Junior and Comprehensive School and College, the place where my family live, a place a visit more than any other in the UK.

I didn't realize it had become Royston Vesey! A local place for local people.

So, as I said, what suggestions do people have that are better than a large plastic map? The car park is a good suggestion, but this is about disguising an ugly building (of which there are many that need some form of disguising such as the old garden shop). Any ideas so this becomes a positive forum for ideas rather than the usual whinge fest?”

“Turn the bus station into parking which would serve the residents of Fore Street and the Quay. This would also solve the problem of residents parking on Cheyne.
Although it's wishful thinking to suggest that the council would allow such a thing. I'm sure they want Ilfracombe to die completely.”

“Why don't they build a small mult-storey type car park with a ground floor frontage of small kiosk style shops which would not only give decent car parking space but also affordable shop frontage to local small businesses.”

“The council are not going to compulsery purchase land for car parking when, at Ebbery terrace (behind McColls) they are currently selling land used for car parking for profit.
I feel you need to realise that the council dont care about you or your town, all they are interested in is that fact that groccles simply are not going to keep coming back with Ilfracombe in its current condition and that means they lose money.
Why are there too many small apartments? people have to live somewhere and theres clearly a need for it here, what do the council propose to do with all the space if they get rid of them and where do people get housed then?
The council wastes our money on crap like the landmark and the new ilfracombe logo and it speaks for itself.....
FAILURE.
The sad truth is people don't want a ferry to come here, we want a ferry to go there.”

“Day trippers to Swansea need car parking; visitors need car parking; locals need car parking...... can anyone see the common theme here???

If only there were a large open space, between the Harbour and the Seafront, where peole could park and wander to either location (or even the High Street) with ease?

The Council have stated (in the housing plan) that the town has too many small apartments!! When will somebody put 2 & 2 together and listen to those that know the Harbour / Seafront areas of the Town? Can we not make a compulsory purchase of this Bus Station site for Car Parking??? It would provide income for years to come, whilst solving so many of the quandries that we face (lack of car parking, seafront / harbour linkage, Quay pedestrianisation, less high density housing, easier access to the High Street shops, etc. etc. etc.)

The defeatist attitude of "it'll never be viable" is what holds us back! The site and Town have survived thus far without development there, so why not make a bold step for the Town and do what's right?”

“Lee - I like some of your comments, but would rather have a map than a picture of a 'tied-up parcel' as you have suggested. Actually I would like your suggestions even more if you contibuted to the local economy, but I guess its easy to comment from afar.
I also think that other comments are confusing exactly which council it is that have this sort of money to throw about.”

“Lee, "But rather than complain about the proposal what about suggesting alternatives in the comments?"

I couldn't agree with you more. But who listens? Our Council? What a joke! Have a meeting, discuss the problems, authorise a feasibility study, consider that, send off for amendments - and then forget it because any available money was spent on the feasibility study.

"Think outside the box"! Again, this is Ilfracombe Council you are talking about.

Come back Lee, Ilfracombe needs you!!!”

“Oh dear. Plastic banners? Maps? These often look tacky and cheap although it's difficult to see from the micro image above. But rather than complain about the proposal what about suggesting alternatives in the comments? Ilfracombe needs solutions so at least this opens debate. Why not wrap the building up like a present, or give the funding to some local artists to do something creative with it? Set it as an open brief or design competition to disguise the building with a public vote. Lets think out of the box.”

“Yea but he does have a valid point.”