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Town councillors were given details of the latest proposals for one of the key areas in Haverhill town centre last night, by Gurteens' representative.

Mike Carpenter, who is advising Gurteens on the Chauntry Mills site, showed councillors how it was planned to demolish some lower quality buildings on the site if planning permission could be gained.

Town councillors were particularly focused on anything that could be done to help achieve pedestrianisation of High Street.

Gurteens are the main objectors, saying they need the High Street access to businesses which rent part of the site.

The first phase proposals might see a small increase in traffic, Mr carpenter admitted, but would not make any access changes viable.

That would have to wait for a second phase, when the North Light Factory, the older part of bthe site, might be brought into use for retail or leisure, but there was no market for this at present, research had shown.

The Sewing Factory, a large area behind the iconic French Gothic frontage, would be demolished in the first phase as it bwas of limited historic value.

What would replace it was unknown until the second phase came into the equation, because it would not be sensible to put it to a use which jeopardised that, Mr Carpenter said.

For instance, a light industrial use for the North Light would be prejudiced if housing had been built that close to it.

Town councillors were keen for a retail use to be found, such as an undercover market, or a group of smaller shops.

Mr Carpenter said Gurteens accepted the idea of a supermarket 'shed' was not possible and agreed other retail types would be good and had been investigated.

Another possibility was an antique market similar to that in Clare, perhaps with a cafe or museum attached. An access could be achieved through the churchyard.

Another possibility was a community hall or public space.

"This could make Haverhill a 'destination'. The town needs a reason for people to come here," he said.

But their market researchers had advised there was no market for anything of this sort at present in the town.

Cllr Ernie Goody easked if a hole could be knocked into the wall of the site to make an access from the Cleales car park adjacent.

Cllr Maureen Byrne described this as an easy straightforward solution to the rtown centre's difficulties, resolving a long-standing problem.

Mr Carpenter said any changes would come at a price.

Cllr Bryan Hawes said the Counting House, which it was planned to retain, was only of moderate importance and was the main cause of all the access problems on the site. He advocated knocking it down but was told this could not be justified to English Heritage, who have a listing on the whole site.

Town clerk Will Austin saked about 'planning gain' the system by which things beneficialto the community could be offered in exchange for planning permission.

He pointed to a possibility of rear access for Chapman's shop through the site. This was another stumbling block to pedestrianisation and was in the gift of Gurteens to achieve.

Mr Carpenter said he had not been aware of that detail. If the access was that close and directly in Gurteen's gift, this might be a 'fair and reasonable' piece of planning gain.

Mr Austin said there appeared to options which had not been properly investigated thus far, and town mayor Cllr Pat Hanlon urged Gurteens to helpthe town if at all possible in what councillors considered to be of the utmost importance, both for the town and for Gurteens themselves.

The retail potential of the site would benefit greatly from pedestrianisation being in place, he claimed.

Mr Carpenter gave the cautious reply that all these things were more likely to be relevant at the phase two stage because they would incure considerable cost to the company.

This could only be considered if there was a proposal coming forward that was likely to meet the costs of the work.