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3 Counties Group Press Release GAGGED AGAIN? – COUNTY TO SILENCE NEWS FLASH!! — We have today written to Martin Daws-Chew, Chairman, of WSCC Select Committee on Strategic and Environmental matters (SE SELCO). We have urged that he delay at least until tomorrow (20 June) any final decision on who may be permitted to speak at the SE SELCO Meeting of 25 June. We have pointed out to him that the Referendum today may produce a result he may wish to consider before confirming speakers. Should the electors of East Grinstead deliver a resounding “NO!” to the Houses, he may wish to ensure that a person or body closer to this vital matter than current MSDC nominee, Cllr. Christine Field, be given the opportunity to address his Committee. Mr. Daws-Chew is aware of the vital importance the County attaches to deliverability of Houses within the 2001-2016 Structure Plan period, and of the many severe problems posed by the proposed East Grinstead location. We look forward to his response. _______________________ It is the custom for visiting members of the public to be permitted to speak briefly to all WSCC Committees on matters of interest or concern. These may be matters that have been overlooked, or perhaps inadequately, possibly improperly dealt with at lower levels. On Wednesday, 25 June, the County Select Committee on Strategic and Environmental matters (SE SELCO) will be considering and endorsing (or not) amendments and modifications to the proposed Structure Plan. These are very important matters. We wrote on 6 June to ask if we might speak on East Grinstead (EG) concerns. On 17 June, we were informed by a County spokesman that our request has been refused. We will not be permitted to speak. For this Meeting, we were told, the normal procedure has been suspended. This action has been taken “on legal advice.” This news was not reassuring. Last year, along with other leading elements who opposed important provisions in the proposed County Structure Plan, we were similarly excluded from the Examination in Public (EIP). This was an even more serious matter, concerning as it did, an even more vitally important proceeding. However, the County has adopted an alternative plan. There will be speakers. And these will be “informed elected Members” from each of the County’s Boroughs and Districts. So who is to represent EG interests? At its Full Council Meeting on 18 June, MSDC opted to send Council (Conservative) Leader Christine Field, to “voice our local concerns” Cllr. Field in the past has been a firm supporter of the proposed Houses for EG. But what will she say on this occasion? As a person with a keen sense of her representative and democratic duties, will she register the concern and anger of EG electors at being ignored throughout this process? Will she stress the need to build the houses at the ready-made “East of M23” (Lamont) site close to the jobs? Will she speak up for our beautiful countryside and the need to protect it from further assault and devastation? Will she point to the repeated failures the County has experienced over the past 15 years when trying to “force in” large-scale Housing here at EG? Or will she speak for the tiny cabal of EG local Cllrs who seem still determined to “hold the door wide open for the developers?” Retaining his consistency on this issue, Cllr. Edward “5000 houses” Matthews, acting with his usual contempt for EG residents stated, that “EG is happy to have the houses; so long as we get the road.” He did not specify house numbers. Nor did he stress that such a road must bring relief. So what will Cllr. Field, a resident in and representative of the High Weald Ward; a person who knows well what is at stake; what will she say? Will she put us to the sword, as Cllr. Matthews is urging her to do? Or will commonsense and rational reality—along with some expression of compassion for the vast majority of EG residents who have shouted “NO!” to the proposed 2500+ houses (residents who, as I write, will be casting their votes at today’s Referendum)—prevail? Whatever the outcome of today’s vote, will Cllr. Field, listen and respond to what that vote says? Can we depend on her? Those of us sitting in enforced silent attendance at the 25 June Meeting at 60-miles distant Chichester, can but wait and see. Democracy has taken a battering here at EG over the past year or two. Is it too much to hope that Cllr Field may be the instrument to bring light into what has become a very dark place? Press Liaison: Peter Haskell 01342 322622 | Close | |
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