Long-time resident backs FreshChoice

Jean Farley, Greytown resident of more than 50 years, says the Main St entrance to FreshChoice must go ahead for safety reasons. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

DESPITE the efforts of a Greytown pressure group to halt the FreshChoice redevelopment, a long-standing resident is speaking out in support of the project.

Jean Farley, who lives directly opposite the supermarket, says the proposed Main St entranceway "must go ahead" for safety reasons.

The West St resident said she was "absolutely astounded" she hadn't yet witnessed a crash, because trucks servicing the supermarkets now had to reverse into the servicing yard.

"I have observed how much trouble they have trying to back in," Mrs Farley said. "They draw up to the kerb outside my house, and then some of them need two or three goes to get their unit lined up to back in.

"In the meantime, traffic is coming in and out of the shop and cars are travelling along West St. I just feel like going over to the driver, shaking his hand and saying good on you mate."

Mrs Farley contacted the Times-Age after learning that Friends of Historic Greytown were calling for a judicial review to challenge the South Wairarapa District Council's decision to issue consents for the redevelopment without notifying the public. The group is concerned because the proposed works are to take place in the town's historic heritage precinct.

"There has been a lot of work put into keeping Greytown a nice historic town," Mrs Farley said. "But to try and stop this entranceway from going in goes against common sense."

The Greytown resident of more than 50 years said she was looking at the situation "from the safety angle".

Mrs Farley has lived at her West St property for 13 years -- "long before the supermarket came along" -- and remembers well the clothing factory, Bouzaid and Ballaben, which was previously on the site.

"It was vacant for years, and then they built the supermarket there and that is the best thing that has happened to Greytown. It is not only a good supermarket but it employs a lot of people of all ages. So I fully approve of the entrance to come in off the main street as it would make it easier for the big trucks."

The Farleys are an old established Greytown family. Brian Farley, Mrs Farley's late husband, as well as his father and his grandfather, served as councillors on the Greytown Borough Council. All of the couple's four children attended Greytown School and Kuranui College.

Mrs Farley said the historical aspect of the town wasn't what attracted people to it.

"People come to Greytown because it's Greytown -- not because of its heritage. They come for the shopping and the eateries, and I'm sure half of them don't take any notice of the historic side of things."

One of Friends of Historic Greytown's main concerns is the proposed 5m-high pylon sign, which would direct Main St traffic to a new parking area.

They claim it would detract from Greytown's "character and charm".

"Perhaps we don't want a sign as big as that but I think that entranceway is an excellent idea safety wise," Mrs Farley said.

"Regardless of what size the sign is, the entranceway must go ahead."