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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)