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The
Fight Goes On
The fight against Ganges goes on! Babergh's perverse decision
on June 8th to approve the massive development at Shotley is NOT
the last word on issue. The overwhelming majority of us still
believe this scheme is too big and in the wrong place and there
is still plenty we can do to stop it.
The Development Committee had clearly made up their minds long
before the meeting and did not listen to our views on the day.
They made inane comparisons of the Shotley development with schemes
in Hadleigh, Sudbury and Gt. Cornard - some of which have yet
to be built! They totally ignored the character and geography
of the area and the key fact that Shotley is at the end of the
longest cul de sac in Suffolk. They were blinded by the word "brownfield"
- thought they could build all over it and to hell with the consequences.
I
think we all came away stunned, incensed and incredulous. We all
felt we had been the victims of a stitch up. And, of course, we
were. But that is NOT THE END OF THE ROAD (our new slogan) for
our protest. They won't get away with it that easily.
Suffolk South MP Tim Yeo has said he is "appalled" by
the outcome of the public meeting. He is backing us all the way
and has pledged to do all he can to help us reverse the decision.
He has written to the Government Office for the East of England
to get the plan "called in" - this means there would
be a full public inquiry with the final decision made by the Secretary
of State. Our local district and county councillors are also right
behind us. We all agree that something must be done done to develop
the Ganges site but 325 homes is not the answer. So the bad news
is Babergh's reckless decision was environmental vandalism but
the good news is they can be called to account at a public inquiry.
Their decision is not final and can be overturned but it is absolutely
vital that we keep up the pressure.
Remember Babergh chose to ignore national planning policy, the
advice of Suffolk County Council and the recommendation of their
own head of planning. What Babergh wants is outside the County
Plan and against planning policy because it's not sustainable
and would lead to a huge increase in traffic. Everyone living
on the new development would be driving their cars up and down
the peninsula to go to work, school, shops and entertainment.
This means Babergh's decision must, as a matter of course, be
referred to Go East - the Government Office for the East of England.
It is our job to make sure that the decision is "called -in"
- that there is a public inquiry and that the Secretary of State
has the final say. We must all make our voices heard and our views
known to the people who can reverse this rogue decision. Show
them you care. Write now to our case officer, Lynn Caudrey at
Government Office for the East of England, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury
Rd., Cambridge CB2 2DF or e-mail lcaudrey.go.east@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
- making the following key points.
1.
Babergh's decision was based on an inadequate assessment of the
environmental impact of this scheme.
2.The development is contrary to national and regional planning
policy.
3. The decision goes against the County Council's recommendation
to limit the development to 200 homes and also the recommendation
of the district's head of planning.] 4. Babergh has failed in
its duty to "preserve and enhance" conservation areas
e.g Chelmondiston and Woolverstone.
5. Babergh has acted unreasonably by granting planning permission
without enforceable controls over many of the proposed mitigation
measures.
6. This decision has provoked huge local controversy and ignores
the wishes of the overwhelming majority of local people.
Getting the Ganges decision "called in" is our priority
but it is not our only course of action. We are currently getting
expert legal advice from a barrister on whether we have a case
for getting Babergh's decision judicially reviewed. We are also
checking to see that officers and councillors involved in the
decision acted properly and within their codes of conduct. If
we think they may have failed in their duty we shall be referring
the matter to the local government Ombudsman and to the Standards
Board. There is already a lot going on but if you have views and
ideas you'd like to contribute please get in touch - we want to
hear from you.
At a public meeting on 17 June at Freston The Peninsula Parish
Alliance set up a 5 member action committee to co-ordinate the
continuing protest. Members are Graham Steel ( 787757,Shotley)
Cathy Crouch (780674, Chelmondiston), Simon Ross Pearce (780009),
Nick Parker, Laurie Mayer (780168, Woolverstone). If you need,
or would like to offer any help, advice or information on our
continuing campaign please don't hesitate to contact us. Make
your views know and your voice count. If we pull together we can
stop this plan and come up with a better one. As the slogan says
it's NOT THE END OF THE ROAD.
Laurie Mayer
PPA Action Committee, 25
June 2005
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