Friday 13 February 2009

Scroungebites

I read this letter tonight and I nearly laughed the straw out my socks!

Just another desperate mishmash of soundbites... "It seems to me that the government has, for once, shown the sort of leadership that is required in these extremely challenging times", erm - is this the government who have spectaclulary failed on social housing?

"People must be educated to accept that the times of profligate waste and excessive use of fossil fuels must end. The stunning idea of planned Eco-Towns is a positive step in the right direction". Building on GRADE A farmland is the way forward then?

"There is very little time to rescue this nation from the approaching calamity of severe fuel shortages, and the global warming threat". I'm shitting my pants now!!! Is this person person for real? Either he knows something we don't or is an expert in fear mongering maybe?

Mr Gummidge loves these soundshites... "There would be high-grade employment virtually on-site". Mr G - guffaw guffaw, show me the proof..! "The houses are planned as affordable homes, not just fancy, executive ones". Mr G, Aaaah ha ha ha ha ha, show me the proof..! "There is planned to be considerable capture of energy from re-cycling of waste products on-site, and even if not completely self-sufficient, at least a good percentage could be recaptured and re-used. There will no doubt be several wind turbines and a possibility of some energy from the flow of the River Arun". GLOMPS! Why didn't I think of that instead of wasting my life chasing crows?

Mr G thinks these minority pro Ford Eco-Town soundbites are becoming desperate scroungebites... Please invite me round for a cup of tea and a nice slice of cake Mr Watson? After all I live up the road from your calamity of fuel shortages and global warming threat...

Thursday 12 February 2009

Your views are important

Arun District Council wish to hear the views of members of the public on the Core Strategy ’Options for Growth’ and Initial Sustainability Commentary published by Arun District Council as part of the progress of the Local Development Framework. Arun District Council has published detail of three preferred options for the location of strategic development in the Arun District in the future. The consultation period runs from 12th February 2009 to 2nd April 2009.

You can visit the ADC page here

Here is the important bit, we've got to get as many people as possible to answer the online questionnaire as it will effect all of us whether the eco-town gets the go ahead or not. If ADC get Ford as the preferred growth Option it won't matter if we beat FAVG Ford will be open season to any developer forever and we will have little grounds to stop any development. This really is our future and we must say NO more housing on such large scales.

You can download a PDF of the Core Strategy and questionnaire.

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Your chance to grill Government on eco-town

THE West Sussex Gazette is giving readers the chance to grill a Government minister over the proposals for an eco-town at Ford. The Department for Communities and Local Government says it is keen to tackle some of the myths that have come up regarding the plans.

People who want to have their say should write to the West Sussex Gazette with their questions for Iain Wright, who is a parliamentary under-secretary of state at the department, by Wednesday, February 18.

West Sussex Gazette
Cannon House
Chatworth Road
Worthing
BN11 1NA

Email: david.white@westsussextoday.co.uk

Apologies for publishing the wrong address - thanks to all who pointed this out...

Monday 9 February 2009

Another one bites the dust

One of our eagle-eyed sources spotted this in Saturday's Telegraph:

"BUILDER PULLS OUT OF ECO-TOWN PLAN

Gordon Brown's eco-town policy has suffered another blow after a developer pulled out of building one of the controversial settlements. O&H Properties withdrew from the scheme for 20,000 homes in Marston Vale, Beds, because of the time constraints and requirements for an eco-town. Of the government's original shortlist of 15 sites there are 11 remaining. Up to 10 are proposed, with five due to be built by 2016".

Good news or bad for our CAFE campaign - who knows!