For those who didn't see the debate attached is the transcript below are some links
Download: Word.doc
or download: PDF.doc
Both Nicks did a great job and hopefully MB will give Ford the proper consideration it is due.
Thanks Vicky.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
BARD's legal challenge - new appeal
Just got this from the BARD Campaign, fighting the proposed eco town at MIddle Quinton, but doing so by fighting the whole eco town policy! Which definitely helps us!
"The BARD Campaign today lodged an application with the Court of Appeal, seeking permission to appeal the ruling by Mr Justice Walker dated 27 January 2009 that the Government’s consultation on its April 2008 shortlist document: “Eco-towns Living a Greener Future” was lawful.
In summary, BARD’s application contends that:
1. the principle of eco-towns was not properly and lawfully consulted upon in the Housing Green Paper. There was no genuine consultation on the eco-town policy since the policy had already been determined;
2. the Government pledged there would be a consultation on the eco-towns principle and broke this promise;
3. the key criteria for eco-towns were not properly and lawfully consulted on;
4. the errors in the early consultation stages cannot be rectified by any improvement to future consultation that would be based on a pre-determined principle.
5. the failure to consult on the 42 sites rejected from the April 2008 shortlist was unlawful;
6. the Government has not provided adequate information to enable intelligent consultation on the proposed locations;
7. the eco-towns policies are subject to the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004;
8. the Strategic Environmental Assessment should have begun by the “Eco-towns - Living a Greener Future” stage;
9. BARD’s application for disclosure should have been considered before the hearing of their substantial complaint since the materials requested were clearly relevant and could have helped BARD’s case.
This application will impact the eco-town programme timeframe as the Government has given BARD an undertaking that consultation on ‘Middle Quinton’ would close no sooner than six weeks after the outcome of the proceedings. The current consultation end date is 30 April 2009 (six weeks tomorrow) yet a decision from the Court of Appeal as to whether to grant leave to appeal could take several weeks.
David Bliss, Chairman of the BARD Campaign said:
“We were disappointed with Mr Justice Walker’s ruling. It can surely be beyond doubt that the information provided by the Government on eco-towns has been confused, flawed and inadequate, thereby making it impossible for ordinary members of the public to engage in serious consultation.
“It is regrettable that we now rely on the Court of Appeal for us to be given an opportunity to consult on the principle and key criteria for new environmentally-friendly affordable settlements. Local opinions should be heard.”
"The BARD Campaign today lodged an application with the Court of Appeal, seeking permission to appeal the ruling by Mr Justice Walker dated 27 January 2009 that the Government’s consultation on its April 2008 shortlist document: “Eco-towns Living a Greener Future” was lawful.
In summary, BARD’s application contends that:
1. the principle of eco-towns was not properly and lawfully consulted upon in the Housing Green Paper. There was no genuine consultation on the eco-town policy since the policy had already been determined;
2. the Government pledged there would be a consultation on the eco-towns principle and broke this promise;
3. the key criteria for eco-towns were not properly and lawfully consulted on;
4. the errors in the early consultation stages cannot be rectified by any improvement to future consultation that would be based on a pre-determined principle.
5. the failure to consult on the 42 sites rejected from the April 2008 shortlist was unlawful;
6. the Government has not provided adequate information to enable intelligent consultation on the proposed locations;
7. the eco-towns policies are subject to the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004;
8. the Strategic Environmental Assessment should have begun by the “Eco-towns - Living a Greener Future” stage;
9. BARD’s application for disclosure should have been considered before the hearing of their substantial complaint since the materials requested were clearly relevant and could have helped BARD’s case.
This application will impact the eco-town programme timeframe as the Government has given BARD an undertaking that consultation on ‘Middle Quinton’ would close no sooner than six weeks after the outcome of the proceedings. The current consultation end date is 30 April 2009 (six weeks tomorrow) yet a decision from the Court of Appeal as to whether to grant leave to appeal could take several weeks.
David Bliss, Chairman of the BARD Campaign said:
“We were disappointed with Mr Justice Walker’s ruling. It can surely be beyond doubt that the information provided by the Government on eco-towns has been confused, flawed and inadequate, thereby making it impossible for ordinary members of the public to engage in serious consultation.
“It is regrettable that we now rely on the Court of Appeal for us to be given an opportunity to consult on the principle and key criteria for new environmentally-friendly affordable settlements. Local opinions should be heard.”
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Parking Policy for new homes - reality revealed by Essex CC
Interesting reading about the lead being taken by Essex County Council here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article5920679.ece
"The council found that planning guidance issued between 1998 and 2001 had created a severe shortage of spaces in many developments. Families had responded not by giving up their second car but by parking on narrow residential roads, blocking access for emergency services and refuse collection lorries.
There are more than 1.5 cars per home in 35 per cent of council wards in Essex. Nationally, there are more homes with two or more cars than there are homes without a car. "
When will the proposers of these eco towns realise that people are not going to be pushed around, and will continue to live the lives they choose. Building 'eco towns' with next to no parking will result in the surrounding areas, the pavements and the roads a congested mess as people refuse to line up and be limited by the strictures of the politicans and the lies of the developers.
"Rationing parking spaces doesn’t stop people owning cars, it just means they park where it is most inconvenient for everyone else."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article5920679.ece
"The council found that planning guidance issued between 1998 and 2001 had created a severe shortage of spaces in many developments. Families had responded not by giving up their second car but by parking on narrow residential roads, blocking access for emergency services and refuse collection lorries.
There are more than 1.5 cars per home in 35 per cent of council wards in Essex. Nationally, there are more homes with two or more cars than there are homes without a car. "
When will the proposers of these eco towns realise that people are not going to be pushed around, and will continue to live the lives they choose. Building 'eco towns' with next to no parking will result in the surrounding areas, the pavements and the roads a congested mess as people refuse to line up and be limited by the strictures of the politicans and the lies of the developers.
"Rationing parking spaces doesn’t stop people owning cars, it just means they park where it is most inconvenient for everyone else."
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Local needs first means no Eco-Town at Ford
Darrell Gale from Arundel writes - in all of the lies, misrepresentations, u-turns, and, of course, the "visions" and greenwash spread by the proposers of the new town at Ford – both the endless paid consultants and the sad, self-interested councillors and former councillors for Aldingbourne – I never thought that I would actually agree with anything they said. Click for more...
Damage warning over eco-town plan
Building an eco-town at Ford will damage the South Downs, an environmental group has warned. The South Downs Society said the intended 5,000 home development at the former airfield site would have a major damaging impact. It would cause the loss of high quality farmland, lead to an increased flood risk, damage existing villages and negatively affect efforts to regenerate Bognor and Littlehampton. Click for more...
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Study finds just two eco-towns are viable
he financial viability of the government’s planned eco-town programme has been called into question by a new report which gave only two of the proposals a glowing bill of health. Research, commissioned and published by the Communities and Local Government department, found significant question marks remained in six out of the eight schemes examined. Click for more...
A better way to treat our aviation heritage
A friend has pointed me to the following link http://www.stowmaries.com/about.html
It is good to see that some farming families who own old RAF airfields have found better things to do with them. In this case, the airfield is being restored and a museum built to celebrate its part in WWI. The workshops are going to be restored and used again for high tech engineering - all done in a sympathetic way. The new owners are working in conjunction with local wildlife charities to encourage even greater diversity on the restored land.
If only the owners of Ford had felt a greater respect for the land they own and the communities who surround it.
It is good to see that some farming families who own old RAF airfields have found better things to do with them. In this case, the airfield is being restored and a museum built to celebrate its part in WWI. The workshops are going to be restored and used again for high tech engineering - all done in a sympathetic way. The new owners are working in conjunction with local wildlife charities to encourage even greater diversity on the restored land.
If only the owners of Ford had felt a greater respect for the land they own and the communities who surround it.
Ford (prison) in the news for the wrong reasons
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7939048.stm
No eco town news I can find, so here's a link to the neighbours!
No eco town news I can find, so here's a link to the neighbours!
Monday, 9 March 2009
FInancially viable - I don't think so!
Let's face it, our politicians do not have a good record of financial judgement recently. So taking time off from failing to regulate the banks, they have now published a Financial Viability assessment of the proposed eco town sites.
For Ford they say "The promoter is also yet to fully develop their rail strategy for the project; but initial proposals suggest the provision of a new station or loop, and an adjacent parking facility of 500 spaces" Now like me you are probably struggling with this - I thought they said there'd be community transport and cycling - now there are 500 cars! How eco is that! "The proposer has costed this at £2.5 million." The document then goes on to say that they think this figure is too little, and that more money should be provided for the station and EVEN MORE PARKING!
Revealing yet more of the eco fakery going on here, and the inconsistencies within the swathes of documentation coming out of the DCLG and the Ford Airfield Vision Group, in this particular report the ROADS ARE BACK!
"At the time of writing the promoter has not proposed a transport solution for addressing the impact the development could have on local roads and the strategic network that is acceptable to the Department for Transport/Highways Agency" - yes we've been saying that for nearly a year now!! However they are proposing to spend £41 million on roads! That link to the A27 is back - in this document at least! Oh, and the one to the A259!
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1165892.pdf
Honestly - this is farcical! And at the end of this, incredibly, they conclude that the scheme has the potential to be financially viable! Presumably, these are the same people who thought that our financial system was in a robust health not many months ago!
For Ford they say "The promoter is also yet to fully develop their rail strategy for the project; but initial proposals suggest the provision of a new station or loop, and an adjacent parking facility of 500 spaces" Now like me you are probably struggling with this - I thought they said there'd be community transport and cycling - now there are 500 cars! How eco is that! "The proposer has costed this at £2.5 million." The document then goes on to say that they think this figure is too little, and that more money should be provided for the station and EVEN MORE PARKING!
Revealing yet more of the eco fakery going on here, and the inconsistencies within the swathes of documentation coming out of the DCLG and the Ford Airfield Vision Group, in this particular report the ROADS ARE BACK!
"At the time of writing the promoter has not proposed a transport solution for addressing the impact the development could have on local roads and the strategic network that is acceptable to the Department for Transport/Highways Agency" - yes we've been saying that for nearly a year now!! However they are proposing to spend £41 million on roads! That link to the A27 is back - in this document at least! Oh, and the one to the A259!
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1165892.pdf
Honestly - this is farcical! And at the end of this, incredibly, they conclude that the scheme has the potential to be financially viable! Presumably, these are the same people who thought that our financial system was in a robust health not many months ago!
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Rise of the NIMBY!
I'm going to make a t-shirt for this story in the FT today... Attitudes have hardened against new property development despite the promise of new jobs that could be created in the recession. The study says that Nimbyism - the acronym of Not In My Back Yard used to describe opposition by local residents - is on the rise across the country.
Some 85 per cent of respondents say they would oppose development in their local area, broadly the same level as last year's survey, but active Nimbyism has almost doubled in the past two years. Clicke here for more glorious NIMBYism!
Some 85 per cent of respondents say they would oppose development in their local area, broadly the same level as last year's survey, but active Nimbyism has almost doubled in the past two years. Clicke here for more glorious NIMBYism!
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
MPs criticise housing department
A major Whitehall department lacks the skills needed to put vital policies into operation, MPs have said. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) had taken only "the first steps" towards a reasonable performance for taxpayers, they added. Ecotowns, home sellers' packs, and regional fire control centres had suffered as a result, the communities and local government committee said. Click here for more...
Saturday, 28 February 2009
HOOORAY!!! Eco-town could be scrapped
The Government last night appeared to prepare the ground for a humiliating retreat from controversial proposals to build thousands of ecohomes in Sussex and across the country. Housing Minister Margaret Beckett downgraded the prospects of the flagship ecotown programme as she extended the deadline for the latest public consultation. Click here for more...
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Public consultation extended... Again...
News just in... Local residents are to be given more time to respond to the Government’s second eco-towns public consultation after Housing Minister Margaret Beckett today extended the deadline for responses.
The consultation on the draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) and Sustainability Appraisal on eco-towns has now been extended to Thursday 30 April, meaning it will run for more than five months. There will be a further opportunity for the public to have a say once planning applications are submitted for eco-towns.
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett said: “Eco-towns present a superb opportunity to provide more affordable housing which is built to the UK’s toughest ever green standards, and we cannot afford to miss it. But it is vital we identify the right locations for these eco-towns and I will not support any proposal that our assessment and consultation concludes is unsuitable.
“I know this is an issue that raises a lot of strong opinion on all sides. I have extended the deadline to ensure that all parties, irrespective of their views, are given the full opportunity to have their say, and I urge everyone to respond to this consultation.”
The consultation extension has been announced following yesterday’s release of the full High Court written judgement on the Judicial Review on eco-towns, which the Government has won on all grounds.
A viability study on the proposals submitted by developers will also be published shortly and will provide more information to people looking to respond to the consultation. Ministers will carefully consider all consultation responses before coming to final decisions on the PPS.
The consultation on the draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) and Sustainability Appraisal on eco-towns has now been extended to Thursday 30 April, meaning it will run for more than five months. There will be a further opportunity for the public to have a say once planning applications are submitted for eco-towns.
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett said: “Eco-towns present a superb opportunity to provide more affordable housing which is built to the UK’s toughest ever green standards, and we cannot afford to miss it. But it is vital we identify the right locations for these eco-towns and I will not support any proposal that our assessment and consultation concludes is unsuitable.
“I know this is an issue that raises a lot of strong opinion on all sides. I have extended the deadline to ensure that all parties, irrespective of their views, are given the full opportunity to have their say, and I urge everyone to respond to this consultation.”
The consultation extension has been announced following yesterday’s release of the full High Court written judgement on the Judicial Review on eco-towns, which the Government has won on all grounds.
A viability study on the proposals submitted by developers will also be published shortly and will provide more information to people looking to respond to the consultation. Ministers will carefully consider all consultation responses before coming to final decisions on the PPS.
3.7 BILLION! That's the expected deficit from 10 Eco Towns!
An independent assessment of the viability of the Middle Quinton Eco-town proposal has concluded that the proposed development is unviable with a deficit of £373m. The six local authorities directly affected by the Middle Quinton proposal commissioned CBRE Consultants to undertake the assessment. CBRE have prepared a detailed construction cost estimate and a detailed property market review which has informed their financial appraisal of the proposed development.
Given the scale of the deficit identified, the report concludes that the development is unlikely to support the level of contributions which the local authorities would expect to secure in order to deliver essential infrastructure and services. This means that alternative ways of funding requirements such as public transport, highway infrastructure and education would have to be found, as the development itself could not fund them.
Commenting on the report Councillor Charles Gillams, Chair of the Councils’ Eco-Town Joint Working Group said: ‘The independent assessment confirms our long held doubts about the viability of an Eco-town in this location. It would appear that the development could not proceed without massive public subsidy. Such public expenditure would be better directed to sustainable urban locations where needs can be matched with opportunities and existing infrastructure can be utilised more effectively.’
www.stratford.gov.uk/files/seealsodocs/9380/Middle%20Quinton%20Financial%20Assessment%20%2D%20Feb%202009.pdf
It seems fair to assume that Middle Quinton is pretty average as an eco town site - so mutiply that deficit by 10 Eco Towns and you get an overall cost to the tax payer of over 10 billion quid!
Given the scale of the deficit identified, the report concludes that the development is unlikely to support the level of contributions which the local authorities would expect to secure in order to deliver essential infrastructure and services. This means that alternative ways of funding requirements such as public transport, highway infrastructure and education would have to be found, as the development itself could not fund them.
Commenting on the report Councillor Charles Gillams, Chair of the Councils’ Eco-Town Joint Working Group said: ‘The independent assessment confirms our long held doubts about the viability of an Eco-town in this location. It would appear that the development could not proceed without massive public subsidy. Such public expenditure would be better directed to sustainable urban locations where needs can be matched with opportunities and existing infrastructure can be utilised more effectively.’
www.stratford.gov.uk/files/seealsodocs/9380/Middle%20Quinton%20Financial%20Assessment%20%2D%20Feb%202009.pdf
It seems fair to assume that Middle Quinton is pretty average as an eco town site - so mutiply that deficit by 10 Eco Towns and you get an overall cost to the tax payer of over 10 billion quid!
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Misery for Redrow?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7909459.stm
Perhaps if they worked a bit harder on developing housing schemes that met with local agreement, not local disgust, people might be happier to buy their new houses?
Personally I will never buy anything built by Redrow or Wates as I think they are completely unethical companies.
Perhaps if they worked a bit harder on developing housing schemes that met with local agreement, not local disgust, people might be happier to buy their new houses?
Personally I will never buy anything built by Redrow or Wates as I think they are completely unethical companies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)