MortiBlog

Planet Lazer and Studio 41 in Canterbury are coming under some danger at the moment, basically a planning application has been made to the council to tear it down and build a housing development on top of it. A phone call to a very helpful man at Planet Lazer revealed to me a couple of interesting facts about this:

• The housing will allegedly not be cheap first-come sort of housing (which Canterbury is more in need of), it will be more expensive developments like others already in progress in the city.
• Those who own Planet Lazer and Studio 41 are protesting the plans and have petitions going. They are also encouraging people to email the council and make their views known if they don’t want 41 St George’s Place torn down for another overpriced housing estate.
• Planet Lazer and Studio 41 management believe that the only people who will benefit from this housing development are the people developing it.

So yes, I think now is the time for us young Canterbury residents to become outraged. I’m not a huge fan of Studio 41 myself but I know that there are already limited places to go in Canterbury to go for an evening clubbing and I wouldn’t support it being torn down. Also, Planet Lazer is entirely unique in Canterbury and one of the few things that teenagers and young adults can do besides either see a movie or sit and eat/drink; the availability of fun, healthy and socially constructive activities available to teenagers in the area is already limited enough without Planet Lazer having to go.

What I’m doing is suggesting to everyone that you drop the council an email over the next two days (comments will not be considered after that time, apparently) and say, in a useful and constructive manner but still in your own words, that you oppose the plans and think it will be a detriment to Canterbury and its residents. Once I’ve emailed them I will modify my email to form a “stock email” which will sit in this post, although I’d suggest you only use it if you really can’t be bothered to write your own.

So email development.control@canterbury.gov.uk quoting REF: CA/06/00395/CAN with your comments, perhaps also email savetheplanet@planetlazer.co.uk to let them know they have your support but that’s not quite so useful. Those wishing to read the plans can either look here or go to the council’s website and search for CA//06/00395. I would also encourage everyone with a website, blog, or just a big email list of contacts in Canterbury to spread the word about this. We’re saving a good and useful local business and saving the city from the terror that can be brought on by thousands more bored teenagers and students.

Please comment on my blog if you wish to discuss this, it supports nested comments now for better arguing.

Thanks for reading. Let’s save Planet Lazer (and also Studio 41).

EDIT: This is the letter I sent to the council. I don’t claim to be perfect at writing letters but perhaps it’ll inspire you in composing your own. It doesn’t need to be as long, just let them know your objections. Thanks.