CRUNCH decisions on where thousands of new homes should be built in Arun are set to be made in the new year.
Littlehampton and Angmering are among the areas where major new housing development could take place, with one of the three options revealed this week including 1,500 homes for both communities. Click here for more...
Friday, 19 December 2008
Eco-town champion admits programme is likely to fail
Here is some Christmas cheer for you - One of the cheerleaders of Gordon Brown’s eco-towns programme has admitted that it is likely to fail because the government had “made such a screw-up it will disappear”.
David Lock is chairman of masterplanner David Lock Associates, which is involved in two of the schemes, and a former chairman of the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), which has been advising the government on the programme. He said it was hard to see how any schemes could get planning permission before the next election, and that if the Conservatives win, they would scrap the schemes. Click here for more...
David Lock is chairman of masterplanner David Lock Associates, which is involved in two of the schemes, and a former chairman of the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), which has been advising the government on the programme. He said it was hard to see how any schemes could get planning permission before the next election, and that if the Conservatives win, they would scrap the schemes. Click here for more...
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Credit crunch crazy
A senior county councillor has attacked the continuing plans for a Ford eco-town as 'credit crunch craziness'. Cllr Derek Whittington said the growing concerns about a recession made the government's desire to carry on with the 5,000 home idea as much out of time as it was out of place.
He described the scheme as ill thought-out. "We have advised the government of our concerns over the suitability of Ford as a strategic development location. click here for more...
He described the scheme as ill thought-out. "We have advised the government of our concerns over the suitability of Ford as a strategic development location. click here for more...
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Letter form John Mills
Sirs
With reference to the letter in the West Sussex Gazette December 3rd entitled “Consider eco-town ideas for the sake of all” by messrs Dixon, Hall and Penfold, co-authors of the Ford Enterprise Hub (FEH) I wish to be given the opportunity to take issue with the comments made.
A. They state that one of our local MP,s is “attempting to push development into locations already identified as undesirable” (Their words not mine). This in itself I refute, but are not Dixon, Hall and Penfold doing exactly that . Is it not the very same site and same developers who are now promoting the eco-town at Ford, and in which they, the FEH are now in partnership with, tried to build on in 2000/2001 but was considered “undesirable” and therefore rightly refused by the Local Planning Authority.
B. For the threesome to say that community is being turned against community is to stir up ill feeling in the local area. The only ill feeling I have against Aldingbourne and I’m sure I speak for others is a certain three individuals, namely Dixon, Hall and Penfold.
C. They infer that residents in favour of a new settlement are being prevented from speaking freely. Have not the developers/promoters held their very own road shows giving those in favour a prime opportunity to voice their support for an eco-town at Ford. However this proved that although the concept of living a greener life style was supported in general terms an eco town at Ford was overwhelming not. Supporters of the development have the very same means of voicing their options as those against it. I believe we still have freedom of speech in this country.
D. They welcome debate, placing local needs at the fore front of their proposals. I challenge them to have a balanced debate face to face with the communities of Ford, Yapton, Climping, Arundel and Aldingbourne .
John Mills
Church Rd
Yapton
With reference to the letter in the West Sussex Gazette December 3rd entitled “Consider eco-town ideas for the sake of all” by messrs Dixon, Hall and Penfold, co-authors of the Ford Enterprise Hub (FEH) I wish to be given the opportunity to take issue with the comments made.
A. They state that one of our local MP,s is “attempting to push development into locations already identified as undesirable” (Their words not mine). This in itself I refute, but are not Dixon, Hall and Penfold doing exactly that . Is it not the very same site and same developers who are now promoting the eco-town at Ford, and in which they, the FEH are now in partnership with, tried to build on in 2000/2001 but was considered “undesirable” and therefore rightly refused by the Local Planning Authority.
B. For the threesome to say that community is being turned against community is to stir up ill feeling in the local area. The only ill feeling I have against Aldingbourne and I’m sure I speak for others is a certain three individuals, namely Dixon, Hall and Penfold.
C. They infer that residents in favour of a new settlement are being prevented from speaking freely. Have not the developers/promoters held their very own road shows giving those in favour a prime opportunity to voice their support for an eco-town at Ford. However this proved that although the concept of living a greener life style was supported in general terms an eco town at Ford was overwhelming not. Supporters of the development have the very same means of voicing their options as those against it. I believe we still have freedom of speech in this country.
D. They welcome debate, placing local needs at the fore front of their proposals. I challenge them to have a balanced debate face to face with the communities of Ford, Yapton, Climping, Arundel and Aldingbourne .
John Mills
Church Rd
Yapton
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Letter to Yapton News and Views
Dear Sir,
I am responding to Mr. Iain Wright MP’s peculiar letter in the November/December issue of Yapton News and Views regarding the proposed Ford “Eco” Town.
Firstly, the development would have to be pretty amazing to justify bulldozing and concreting over 87% wheat-producing green fields, destroying the prolific wildlife, the ancient trees and hedgerows. Frankly, I don’t seem anything remotely amazing about the proposal. As every proposed alternative “eco friendly” method of producing energy for the site has been chucked out of the plan as unsustainable, we are back to our old friends electricity and gas! Nothing amazing here.
Apart from building a few cycle lanes in the vain hope that people will have bikes (it is impossible to prohibit 50% of the people using cars) and not building garages for the houses (my my what a lot of on street parking there will be!), there is nothing remotely “eco” about this tired old failed planning application at all.
But let’s look at the impact. Apart from the many very serious problems that have already been highlighted (no infrastructure, flooding, grid-locked roads etc etc), no, Mr. Wright, Ford does not have “very high housing need and thousands of households on waiting lists”. We have 40 families in the immediate area that require homes in the area. The couple of thousand in Bognor and Littlehampton do not want to leave family and friends and town life, to be plonked in the middle of nowhere, despite the developers rating the attractiveness of the development on the same level as Chichester! What a flight of imagination (or spin)! I think a similar rating to Ford Open Prison would be more accurate.
There is overwhelming opposition from all age groups in this area and the resentment generated could provide a very fertile breeding ground for conflict. I dread to think what will happen when the bored, unemployed, un-entertained youth of Ford “Eco” town meet the resentful young people of Yapton, who will seen their beautiful countryside devastated and the quiet village life of their childhood changed out of all recognition. I see trouble ahead.
Please do not be fooled by the greediness of the FAVG, Mr. Wright, the rich landowners who want to become even richer. Listen to the people, the local authorities and parish councils who are surely better placed to decide what is best for our area.
Name and address supplied.
I am responding to Mr. Iain Wright MP’s peculiar letter in the November/December issue of Yapton News and Views regarding the proposed Ford “Eco” Town.
Firstly, the development would have to be pretty amazing to justify bulldozing and concreting over 87% wheat-producing green fields, destroying the prolific wildlife, the ancient trees and hedgerows. Frankly, I don’t seem anything remotely amazing about the proposal. As every proposed alternative “eco friendly” method of producing energy for the site has been chucked out of the plan as unsustainable, we are back to our old friends electricity and gas! Nothing amazing here.
Apart from building a few cycle lanes in the vain hope that people will have bikes (it is impossible to prohibit 50% of the people using cars) and not building garages for the houses (my my what a lot of on street parking there will be!), there is nothing remotely “eco” about this tired old failed planning application at all.
But let’s look at the impact. Apart from the many very serious problems that have already been highlighted (no infrastructure, flooding, grid-locked roads etc etc), no, Mr. Wright, Ford does not have “very high housing need and thousands of households on waiting lists”. We have 40 families in the immediate area that require homes in the area. The couple of thousand in Bognor and Littlehampton do not want to leave family and friends and town life, to be plonked in the middle of nowhere, despite the developers rating the attractiveness of the development on the same level as Chichester! What a flight of imagination (or spin)! I think a similar rating to Ford Open Prison would be more accurate.
There is overwhelming opposition from all age groups in this area and the resentment generated could provide a very fertile breeding ground for conflict. I dread to think what will happen when the bored, unemployed, un-entertained youth of Ford “Eco” town meet the resentful young people of Yapton, who will seen their beautiful countryside devastated and the quiet village life of their childhood changed out of all recognition. I see trouble ahead.
Please do not be fooled by the greediness of the FAVG, Mr. Wright, the rich landowners who want to become even richer. Listen to the people, the local authorities and parish councils who are surely better placed to decide what is best for our area.
Name and address supplied.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Put letter writing on your Christmas list!
The government have proposed a second round of consultation, which means we have to do it all again. If you are against the Eco-Town at Ford Airfield, you must write and tell this government why.
We have created a page to assist in letter writing and objecting.
We have until Thursday February 19th 2009
We have created a page to assist in letter writing and objecting.
We have until Thursday February 19th 2009
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Here come the Boys...
Penfold, Hall and Dixon have added more verbiage to their repertoire attacking Terry Knott of CAFÉ in the local blue tops. Isn't it funny, the only people writing letters who are pro Ford Eco-Town are those three?
I have one question for Penfold, Hall and Dixon - as you are all so concerned about the urgency to create affordable housing, it will be right to assume that you will never oppose any affordable housing developments within your own parishes? This is a yes or no answer guys, here is your chance to put the record straight and bury the nimby hatchet... I await your responses.
I have one question for Penfold, Hall and Dixon - as you are all so concerned about the urgency to create affordable housing, it will be right to assume that you will never oppose any affordable housing developments within your own parishes? This is a yes or no answer guys, here is your chance to put the record straight and bury the nimby hatchet... I await your responses.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
No word yet then?
There is less than a week until the government ‘Eco-Town’ road show rolls into Littlehampton on November 26th and Yapton 27th. However, there has been no official announcement on their website? Does the DCLG want the public to be there, or are they scared of the hostility they face. Again, the DCLG are being unfair, undemocratic and dishonest to the people it serves. If you are going along - make life difficult for them!!! And remember - don’t fill out any of their questionnaires, Online or at the road show!
EDIT the page is updated now:
West Green car park, Littlehampton between 10.00am and 7.00pm on 26th November 2008
Village Hall, Yapton, BN18 0ET between 10.00 am and 6.00pm on 27th November 2008
Monday, 17 November 2008
Hundreds pack Ford Eco-Town protest meeting
CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed Eco-Town at Ford Airfield underlined the strength of their opposition at a public meeting on Friday (November 14). About 250 residents of Ford, Yapton, Climping, Walberton, Barnham, Arundel and neighbouring towns and villags packed Yapton and Ford Village Hall to express their continuing opposition to the Eco-Town proposals. Click here for more...
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Mr Differently-Sized Ears...
Sophie Smallwood has no time for politically correct critics of her grandmother’s work, but what if the liberal zealots did get their hands on Noddy and his pals? Here, in a tale that would have left Enid Blyton speechless, Sinclair McKay imagines just that. We present the story of Noddy And The Naughty Footprint... Click here for more...
Friday, 14 November 2008
News and Letters...
CAFÉ to hold public meeting (Today) The meeting will be held at Yapton and Ford Village Hall at 7pm. Representatives from CAFE will provide a snapshot of the local and national situation regarding eco-towns, describe the way ahead and advise local residents on how they can support the ongoing campaign.
The public will also be invited to ask questions. Click here for more
And the prince of Nimbyism writes a heart wrenching letter in the local press believing the Eco-Town is a once in a lifetime chance for our children... Not mine Mr Dixon... Click here for bore...
The public will also be invited to ask questions. Click here for more
And the prince of Nimbyism writes a heart wrenching letter in the local press believing the Eco-Town is a once in a lifetime chance for our children... Not mine Mr Dixon... Click here for bore...
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Press release from CPRE
SCALE BACK ECO-TOWNS PROGRAMME, URGE COUNTRYSIDE CAMPAIGNERS
The eco-towns programme should be scaled back, with a focus on one or two truly exemplary schemes, and tired, failed proposals dropped. [1] This was the reaction of countryside campaigners, CPRE, to the publication by the Government today (Tuesday) of a draft policy statement and impact assessment. [2]
Kate Gordon, CPRE’s [3] senior planner said:
‘There are welcome signs that Ministers are starting to listen to our concerns about the need for the environmental implications of eco-towns to be thoroughly tested through local and regional plans.
‘Fundamental questions need to be asked about the overall scale of the Government’s original ambitions and whether these remain realistic given current economic conditions. It is vital that the Government does not sacrifice high environmental standards in order to deliver housing numbers.’
Kate Gordon continued:
‘The continuing insistence that eco-towns must be new settlements is worrying. Many of the schemes are in locations where development would entail building on greenfield land, including high quality agricultural land, or in areas at risk from flooding. The combination of poor locations and the cost of providing high quality public transport there means that shortlisted schemes will inevitably be car dependent.’
CPRE will be examining the proposed policy and schemes carefully in the light of the following principles:
· all schemes should be thoroughly tested for their effects on the environment and communities through regional and local plans;
· the planning policy statement should not create a ‘presumption’ in favour of new towns or greenfield development over more sustainable forms of development, eg. urban regeneration;
· there should be a clear sequential approach in planning policy favouring urban brownfield development over development on green fields; [4]
· there should be no requirement for an eco-town to be a new settlement or contain a minimum of 5,000 homes, as this will stifle innovation and good practice in redevelopment and with smaller schemes;
· the policy should address ways in which existing places can become ‘eco-towns’, including through the development of ‘eco-extensions’ or ‘eco-quarters’ – we welcome the possibility of an urban quarter in Leeds;
· eco-towns should be agreed with, not imposed on, local communities, with public consultation following best practice models of public consultation.
Kate Gordon concluded:
‘We set out our case for eco-towns to meet ten tests back in February this year. It is vital that final schemes met these tests if they are to leave a positive legacy for the future.’ [5]
The eco-towns programme should be scaled back, with a focus on one or two truly exemplary schemes, and tired, failed proposals dropped. [1] This was the reaction of countryside campaigners, CPRE, to the publication by the Government today (Tuesday) of a draft policy statement and impact assessment. [2]
Kate Gordon, CPRE’s [3] senior planner said:
‘There are welcome signs that Ministers are starting to listen to our concerns about the need for the environmental implications of eco-towns to be thoroughly tested through local and regional plans.
‘Fundamental questions need to be asked about the overall scale of the Government’s original ambitions and whether these remain realistic given current economic conditions. It is vital that the Government does not sacrifice high environmental standards in order to deliver housing numbers.’
Kate Gordon continued:
‘The continuing insistence that eco-towns must be new settlements is worrying. Many of the schemes are in locations where development would entail building on greenfield land, including high quality agricultural land, or in areas at risk from flooding. The combination of poor locations and the cost of providing high quality public transport there means that shortlisted schemes will inevitably be car dependent.’
CPRE will be examining the proposed policy and schemes carefully in the light of the following principles:
· all schemes should be thoroughly tested for their effects on the environment and communities through regional and local plans;
· the planning policy statement should not create a ‘presumption’ in favour of new towns or greenfield development over more sustainable forms of development, eg. urban regeneration;
· there should be a clear sequential approach in planning policy favouring urban brownfield development over development on green fields; [4]
· there should be no requirement for an eco-town to be a new settlement or contain a minimum of 5,000 homes, as this will stifle innovation and good practice in redevelopment and with smaller schemes;
· the policy should address ways in which existing places can become ‘eco-towns’, including through the development of ‘eco-extensions’ or ‘eco-quarters’ – we welcome the possibility of an urban quarter in Leeds;
· eco-towns should be agreed with, not imposed on, local communities, with public consultation following best practice models of public consultation.
Kate Gordon concluded:
‘We set out our case for eco-towns to meet ten tests back in February this year. It is vital that final schemes met these tests if they are to leave a positive legacy for the future.’ [5]
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Red faces over green towns
By all accounts, Gordon Brown's eco-towns programme is very sick. But, like a dying Soviet leader, the project is being kept alive for political reasons. It looks as if the government will wait until the spring before announcing formally that only one or two proposed eco-towns are viable. In the meantime, it will go through the motions of a consultation that is at best a shambles, at worst fixed. Click here for more...
Government 'retreats' on eco-town plans
The government has 'retreated' on many of its original eco-town aspirations following the publication of its draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS). That is the view of the chair of the Eco-towns Delivery Consortium and president of the Association of Consultant Architects Brian Waters. Click here for more...
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