Object now to the University planning application!
Bristol University has now lodged an outline planning application for over 1000 houses, plus office and other commercial space and a primary school, proposed for the triangle of land between the railway, Wild Country Lane and the bypass – all of it prime grade 1 or 2 agricultural land.
Although North Somerset are opposed to development of the Green Belt, this is a very real threat, and the more people who object, the better.
You can comment via the North Somerset website, www.n-somerset.gov.uk. Click on ‘planning’ in one of the left hand menus, then click on ‘online planning application search’, and enter the application number: 10/P/0066/OT2. (Important: note that the last ‘O’ in ‘OT2′ is a letter, not a number). However, the application seems to be disappearing regularly from the website, so if you can’t find it, you can object by post to the planning department at Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1UJ.
And if you’re doing it via the website, make sure you click to show you’re objecting, not consenting, on the menu at the top of the ‘comment’ page.
Every adult in your household is entitled to comment.
Stadium decision day for North Somerset
Here is the appeal for participation from the Ashton Vale group:
Dear all
WE NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER NOW
Re: 9th December North Somerset Town Hall, WSM, 2.30pm
This is the next and perhaps most important round of applications. This Cabinet Meeting will decide if Bristol City Football Club can have access through North Somerset road to the new stadium. A no, would have a dramatic impact on the current plans and would delay the development. We would like as much support as possible, we had a great turn out from people for the Stadium Decision on 4th November, but more than 50 people came from other groups to support us. I hope we will do the same for them when their developments reach the same stage. But we need more people to attend this next meeting. Please don’t leave it up to everyone else.
We have to make more representations at Weston. It would be great if more people would make statements and stand up and tell the Council why it is so important that the stadium is not built. At the last meeting the stadium had lots of people standing up and saying how great it would be, but it relied on a few of us to state our case.
Peter Crispin has been a great support to us, but we need more people to attend and who are willing to speak. Anyone can make a statement. We must make sure that we have at least as many people against as the stadium have for.
I know it’s a difficult time of day, but perhaps worth taking half a day’s leave if you can. It’s so important and has been the one thing that has brought the community together.
If you are willing to read out a short statement please let me know asap so we can get it to the Council on Time.
Please come if you can, once the field is gone, it’s gone forever.
Attached is a picture of the Proposed Stadium, if you increase the size you will soon see just how awful this is going to be and why we have to do everything possible to stop it.
We are also sending out leaflets about The Ashton Park Development.
Look forward to hearing from you. If people need help with transport we can look into this.
Thanks Trish
HOLA Minutes 8 Sep 09
HOLA
(Hands off Long Ashton)
Notes of meeting held on 8th September 2009
Present: Rod & Sally Sterland, Ted Baker, David & Angela Neale, Brian Matthew, Bill Roberts, Sarah and Bob Hughes, Trish Young, Phil Cunliffe, Moira Hunt, Sue Ashby, Steve Parnell, Adam Clark, Glenn Farall, John Chapman
1. First time attendees were welcomed and Trish Young and Brian Matthew introduced.
2. Apologies received from Chris Wilmot, Christine Johnson, Harvey Lilley, Liz Fox and Jeremy Bristow.
3. Minutes and actions from last meeting noted as follows:
· David had not contacted the Forest of Avon but would do so.
· 1500 leaflets had been delivered in the village, Rod had only collected 40 from the Post Office.
· 8,000/9,000 had been received by SOGS.
4. Feedback from recent events noted as follows:
· Rod and Sally had helped hand out letters at the Balloon Fiesta on the Friday. Most people were supportive and there were a lot from different parts of the country.
· Rod had attended another SOGs meeting which had largely been devoted to reviewing past and future action. It was felt that some groups needed more help with documentation.
Planning applications:
· Bristol Airport – the deadline for comments had passed. It was reported that Bristol City Council were against expansion due to noise and carbon emissions.
· Stadium – the official deadline for comments had passed but comments could still be made up to 3rd November.
· Ashton Park – the plans had been submitted, Rod would email the number to everyone.
· Failand – the plans had been submitted by the speculators but no number allocated yet.
· University land – public consultations being held on Thursday and Friday in the British Legion from 3.00-7.00 and on Saturday in the Jubilee Pavilion from 11.00-5.00.
Action: Rod to email planning number for Ashton Park development
Bill to put something in Parish Magazine and Long Ashton & Failand News
5. Trish Young talked about the Ashton Vale Heritage Group and gave an update on actions taken to date, in particular the transport assessment which had been carried out by an independent transport expert. This had negated the Tesco and stadium assessment and proved that their figures had been altered by 75%. The cost of building the new stadium was £65,000,000, £40,000,000 of which was being provided by John Lansdown. The club needed the rest from the sale of the existing stadium to Tesco. She said it was vital that pressure was put on North Somerset Council not to pass the plans for the access. If access was not allowed from the David Lloyd end then the stadium could not be built.
6. Rod reported that there was £30 in the kitty, a collection raised a further £45. To be used for posters.
7. Next actions:
· Stadium protest – a couple of running clubs were running from the Bird in Hand across the stadium land at 7.00pm on Thursday and on Saturday TESNO and BERATE were holding a protest march against Tesco building on the old stadium site, starting at the Hen & Chicken at 11.00 am.
· Membership – more people were needed on the membership list, preferably half of the properties in Long Ashton in order to have a bigger response to planning applications.
· Suggestions – send posters to all supporters to display in a front window; have people outside the Jubilee Pavilion on Saturday to hand out leaflets and sign up as supporters, encourage Long Ashton residents to object to stadium.
Action: Adam to design leaflet and send to Rod
Sarah to look into producing posters. John Chapman to give her details.
Rota for Saturday:
11.00-12.00 Sarah and David
12.00-1.00 Rod and Sally
1.00 -2.00
2.00 -3.00 David and Angela
3.00 -4.00 Adam and Bill
4.00 -5.00
Action: Rod to take banner down to Jubilee Pavilion at 11.00
Rod to email supporters to fill vacant time slots
8. AOB:
Suggested asking people with experience of planning to help, such as Adrian Reed, David Handchet and Peter Wray.
Action: Bob to give Rod contact details for Adrian Reed and David Handchet and Ted to give details for Peter Wray
Current live planning applications to comment on
There are two applications open for comment. You can comment on them both at one go on the NS website.
Failand 09/P/1486/O comment by 6th October
Ashton Park 09/P/1455/OT2 comment by 29th October
SW RSS Delayed – Official Announcement
The Government Office for the South West has finally announced its intentions regarding the South West Regional Spatial Strategy. A further sustainability review is to be carried out, which will take until “early next year”. One of the issues to be looked at is whether there are “reasonable alternatives” to the areas of search in the existing document. This is definitely good news. Firstly because the delay takes the decision even closer to the election, making final issue before the election less likely. Secondly, the fact that the areas of search are to be re-examined means that there is doubt over the areas that might ultimately be chosen by the final RSS, should it be issued. The developers will have less of an argument that their proposals are in line with an emerging document. I am also heartened by the observation made by officials that the high number of objections needs to be taken into account. The campaign has had an effect.
HOLA news September 09
Volunteers Wanted for Saturday 12 September
At our meeting last night we decided to have a presence outside the Jubilee Hall on Saturday when the proposals to develop the land owned by Bristol University will be presented. We will be handing out HOLA leaflets and getting email addresses to increase our supporter base.
We divided the time into one hour periods and those present volunteered to fill some of them. The unfilled slots are 1:00 to 2:00 and 4:00 to 5:00. If you are able to help, would you please let me know? Please come down and give you support anyway, any time from 12:00 to 5:00.
Other things we plan to do are: to increase visibility of HOLA with some posters and contacting district councillors to persuade them not to vote in favour of the stadium. I will email you again with details of these actions. The minutes of the meeting will be on the web site shortly.
Ashton Park
The planning application for Ashton Park has been resubmitted and has been allocated the number 09/P/1455/OT2, if you want to look at it. Clearly, we all need to register our objections, although I am confident that North Somerset will reject the application. I am equally sure that there will be an appeal. All the objections to the original application are given to the planning inspector, so we need to make these as numerous as possible.
Bristol City Council Motion Against the RSS
There is a Bristol City Council meeting next Tuesday, 15th September at 6pm. Pip Sheard will to be doing a three minute submission opposing both the proposed Tesco development on the current BCFC site and the new Stadium.
Councillor Richard Eddy (Conservative Leader) has tabled the motion below for discussion at the same meeting. Pip has asked us to email him at richard.eddy@bristol.gov.uk thanking him for this. She has done this on behalf of TfGB. Can any of you turn up to listen?
This is the full text of the motion:
A COUNCILLOR R EDDY TO MOVE: “Further to the Full Council resolution of 14th October 2008, this Council reaffirms its opposition to the unrealistic, unworkable and unsustainable house building figures contained in the proposed changes to the Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West (RSS).
Council welcomes the delay in adoption of the RSS as a result of a legal challenge against the East of England Plan, and hopes this time will be used by the Labour Government to reconsider their housing targets – particularly in the light of the remaining uncertainties surrounding the housing market.
In addition, Council continues to oppose the contemplated unparalleled destruction of open spaces and the Green Belt, which would result from such intensive development.
Council is specifically concerned about the additional numbers proposed for Bristol, the size of the south west extension at Ashton Vale and the over-development intended in the south east and northern parts of the city (particularly when there are no plans to improve or provide the necessary infrastructure alongside such new development).
Council believes that the Local Authorities concerned are best placed to determine the level and location of new housing developments within their boundaries.
In the event of any failure by the Secretary of State to significantly reduce Labour’s housing numbers, Council calls on the Leader of Council to explore with our neighbouring authorities the possibility of mounting a joint challenge in the Courts to the South West Regional Spatial Strategy.”
This is potentially an important development, which needs our active encouragement. We know that North Somerset is contemplating something similar, but has been less explicit.
Other Events
Some of the local running clubs are starting from the Bird in Hand on Thursday at 7:00 and will be running over the proposed stadium site. This is to highlight the threat to the green belt. I am sure they would welcome your support.
Berate, the Bedminster group formed to protest against the proposed Tesco development on the BCFC stadium site are holding a rally on Saturday 12 September starting at 11:00 at North Street Green and walking the length of North Street.
Rod Sterland
Letter from Caroline Spelman MP
CAROLINE SPELMAN MP
SHADOW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A 0AA
Dear Colleague,
August 2009
Abolition of Regional Planning
Following the publication of our two recent policy papers on localism and housing (Control Shift and Strong Foundations), I have received a number of practical questions about the process for abolishing regional planning. As the issues are complex – a consequence of Labour’s convoluted legislation – I thought these would be best addressed in a letter.
Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies
- A Conservative Government will abolish the bureaucratic and undemocratic tier of regional planning. This will include the abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and the Regional Planning Bodies, the abolition of national and regional building targets, as well as the cancellation of the Labour Government’s plans to move the regional housing and planning powers to Regional Development Agencies and Regional Leaders’ Boards.
- We anticipate primary legislation in the first year of a Conservative Government, as part of a broader Local Government and Housing Bill. Prior to primary legislation, we will consider whether to use the executive powers of the Secretary of State to revoke the Regional Spatial Strategies in whole or in part. We will also publish our draft policy changes and legislation – as part of a necessary process of consultation required in law. This in itself will have the status of ‘emerging policy’. Hence, even before primary legislation is passed, local authorities will have the ability to put the brakes on elements of Regional Spatial Strategies which they find undesirable (for example, Green Belt reviews imposed on them by the RSS).
- Local authorities will be able to review their Local Development Frameworks to undo unwanted planning policies which the Regional Spatial Strategies had imposed upon them. In practice, such a review would be a partial revision by councils – changing elements which are particularly unpopular or undesirable. The Local Development Framework regime, imposed by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, has been so time-consuming and bureaucratic that I sense that there is little desire in local government to go back to square one, and start the whole torturous process from scratch.
Saying ‘No’ to the Labour Government
- The Government’s whole Regional Spatial Strategy process is currently in disarray. High Court challenges have successful questioned the deletion of the Green Belt in the East of England, a series of High Court proceedings are challenging the South East RSS, and Ministers have delayed the publication of the final South West RSS to pre-empt similar legal challenges.
- I recognise that many local authorities are currently in a difficult position, with Government Offices pressuring councils into moving ahead with their Core Strategies and associated Development Plan Documents, imposing the controversial elements demanded by the Regional Spatial Strategies. There is also an implied threat of cuts to central funding if councils do not fall into line, and the veiled suggestion of developers submitting planning applications based on the RSS, prior to any local plan adoption.
- Such hectoring has a weak basis in fact. It is worth noting that the only financial penalty that the Government has is through the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant (HPDG), which is only partly based on targets on delivering elements in the Local Development Scheme. The sums of money are relatively small and there is only one final allocation round before the general election (likely to be in November 2009, based on data collected in summer/autumn 2009).
- After that allocation, Labour Ministers have no other tool to bully councils. Under a Conservative Government, there will not be a third round of HPDG funding, as we have pledged to replace the grant with a simpler, clearer incentive scheme to allow councils to benefit from council tax and business rate revenue growth.
- We will not pay a penny of compensation to speculative developers as a consequence to changes in planning policy. This principle is well established: government planning policy changes frequently. Notwithstanding, we cannot reverse any individual planning application that has been granted in full following all due process and a fair hearing.
The General Election
- There is, of course, absolutely no guarantee of the election of a Conservative Government: we still have a lot more to do to win the public’s trust and secure a firm democratic mandate. But there is an immovable date of a general election in under a year. As part of councils’ contingency planning, like any responsible business, council officers should be asked to prepare both for the continuation of current government policy (in the event of a Labour win), and for the radical change of government policy (in the event of a Conservative win).
- The general election brings with it regulatory uncertainty. In this context, especially given the current legal challenges, we would advise councils not to rush ahead with implementing the controversial elements of Regional Spatial Strategies, expending time and taxpayers’ money that may be wasted. Ultimately, councillors should seek to serve the best interests of their residents while operating within the law, rather than jump to the latest arbitrary demands from Whitehall or the Regional Government Offices.
- I would encourage councils to say ‘no’ when the Government attempts to force the council to act at a speed which is not a binding legal necessity. Given the likelihood of a general election by May 2009 and the prospect of ‘emerging policy’ after that, the planning process will not be sufficiently delayed in a way that would allow developers to submit speculative bids based on the current RSS.
- Freed from the confines of the local government planning process, MPs and PPCs can be even bolder – explaining to electors how a Conservative vote will help deliver the change our country needs, scrapping Labour’s unpopular and disliked regional planning process. In this context, a slightly delayed Local Development Framework process will make the democratic choice at the general election more stark and clear for the electorate: a vote for democratic accountability and sustainable development from Conservatives on one hand, or unelected, unwanted, unsustainable urban sprawl from a discredited and bullying Labour regime on the other.
London planning
- In contrast to the unelected regional tiers of government across England, London has a different, clearer constitutional settlement. However, there is still scope for further devolution down to the Mayor and Assembly and down to London boroughs. We are talking to colleagues in the GLA and the Boroughs on the scope for more decentralisation in London and working through the practical implications of our pledge to abolish the Government Office for London.
Promoting sustainable housing
- Such an approach should be taken in the context of the broader reforms outlined in our recent green papers to encourage more sustainable housing. These include allowing councils to keep the proceeds of council tax and business rate receipt growth from new development, the creation of new Local Housing Trusts to promote the construction of local housing for members of the local community, and freeing up more public sector brownfield land for redevelopment.
We intend to publish additional detail on planning reform in due course. But I hope this letter is helpful to your local campaigning and democratic duties. The forthcoming general election will be an exciting opportunity to offer real change and ensure that elected local representatives have the real power they need to serve their communities.
Roof and Cavity Wall Insulation
Dear Transitionists,
‘Warm Streets’ is a Government/Local Authority sponsored scheme to make householders (owners and private tenants) aware of the generous discounts now available on roof and cavity wall insulation. The scheme does not cover Council or Housing Society managed dwellings.
One of the most effective things we can all do and now at greatly reduced or even no cost, to reduce our Carbon Footprint is to ‘get insulated’. Every one covered by the scheme is now entitled to a discount of at least 50% and if there is anyone in the house over 70 or if the householder is on benefit it will be free.
Transition Long Ashton in association with Greening Pill have been selected as community partners by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) in Bristol which is managing the scheme on be half of North Somerset council and we have agreed to give it as much coverage as possible in the village.
Ideally therefore we would like to know that every owner or private tenant in the village is aware of these discounts. Your Energy Group is advertising the scheme in village magazines and placing leaflets and posters in public places.
In addition to this we would ask that you all consider speaking to your neighbours and those in your locality and giving those interested the referral forms to send in to the CSE.
Copies of the referral forms with freepost envelopes can be obtained from me, Ian Webb Tel. 392187 or on margerian@btinternet .com. They will also be available at the ‘Energy Open Doors’ event on 12th September.
Anyone sending in a form should get a free survey within 2 weeks followed by a quotation. On acceptance of the quote the work should be done by the CSE nominated contractor within 6 weeks.
If you have any questions about the scheme please ask me.
Transition Long Ashton and Greening Pill will be rewarded with Consultancy Time by CSE in proportion to the number of referrals so it is to our advantage to get as many as possible. Access to their expertise will be very useful to us in reducing our community Carbon Footprint.
PS. If you phone 0800 012 512 saying that you heard about the scheme from ‘Pill and Long Ashton Community Warm Streets’ and want to take advantage of it you may get a further reduction of £99 while their Summer Offer lasts. Best wishes, Ian Webb
350 day
This is an international day of action ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December, calling for agreements that will reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere back to 350 parts per million, which is the maximum for continuing life as we know it (current level is 384).
In Long Ashton we will be collecting pledges of actions already done or in the future to reduce carbon footprints. We aim to collect 350 pledges!
In the evening we plan to show the film Age Of Stupid.
More information closer to the time.
Apple Evening
Jubilee Pavilion.
Bring along your surplus apples to share, and any unusual apples to be identified, and share recipes.
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