|
|
| |
News & Progress
|
| 12th
October 2006 - SPAG Response
to Gladedale Public Exhibition |
| |
We learned nothing new from the exhibition
of proposals put on by Gladedale Homes and their PR agency Green
Issues at the end of September in the Swan Hotel. Their overall
approach is still to try to ingratiate themselves with the residents,
positioning themselves as “friends” of Streatley
and their desire to help us in our Parish Plan objectives of
protecting the unique charm and environment of the village via
offering us the “gift” of all the lands north of
the High Street, if only we could agree to their full proposals.
If we cannot support their full proposals south of the High
Street, then they plan to proceed with a planning application
for the “Riverside” and the so called “Barns”
areas and to with-hold the “gifts”. Encouragingly,
implicit in their approach is a recognition that their full
proposals are outside current planning guidelines. They do however
believe they have a better chance of justifying the “Riverside”
and “Sheds” areas within current planning regulations.
(Incidentally, many long time residents have told us there has
never been barns on this site, only sheds. Whilst barn conversions
are common, we’ve never heard of shed conversions!!).
We would strongly disagree with Gladedale’s evaluation
and would assert that even these proposals are outside current
planning guidelines. Similar proposals have been rejected before,
but more of that argument at a later day, if and when it is
needed.
We are further encouraged by the results of the “exit
poll” taken by the many helpers of SPAG. This indicates
support for rejecting all of the development proposals, remains
at nearly 100%. We found only one resident, a well known landowner
from The Coombe, who was supportive of their proposals and who
told Gladedale he was planning to submit similar proposals in
the near future. What better way of demonstrating the fears
expressed by the residents in the recent Parish Plan. Giving
in to a Gladedale proposal and developing outside the settlement
boundary would simply be the start of a process of multi developments
by other landowners. If we are to protect the Morrell Legacy
and the unique charm of our village we must continue to hold
the line against the likes of Gladedale. |
| |
| <<
Back |
| |
|
