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3 Counties Group Press Release EG Division Elections & Commonsense Development East Grinstead (EG) is still faced with the threat of what is effectively a “New Town”—2500+ new houses. This proposed development is 7-times the size of the Gardenwood Estate when built (359 units); and slightly less than 3-times the size of the Imberhorne Estate (900 units); estates which themselves have taken the best part of 40 years to physically mature and to settle into the identity of what is EG. In a recent statement, 3CG veteran Michael Vickers, declared that: “A single-shot 2500-house development may for obvious reasons be preferred by developers, and indeed Government bureaucrats, even by Local Authority officials. But in terms of what such an assault would mean for the local EG community; for the ancient, stunningly beautiful and irreplaceable surrounding Sussex countryside, it would be virtually a criminal act. “Growth to meet local needs is one thing. But a development of this size remains, just as it has in the face of intermittent pressure over the past 20 years, totally unacceptable. Resistance will continue. We remain confident that with continued rational argument and pressure, common sense will in the end prevail. “So this is the long-term agenda. Here in Greater EG, the 3CG, along with the PRC and its allied groups and supporters will maintain pressure. And there are many opportunities and avenues through which this may be achieved; these ranging from official consultations by the MSDC Planning Authority, representations at Local Planning Inquiries, further presentations to Government, actions in the High Court, and more. “But what of the shorter term? What actions can be taken to bolster our cause and to assist in bringing the process round towards the commonsense development objectives we seek? “Who we elect on 5th May to represent us at County can clearly assist towards this end. “Here in EG Division we shall be electing two persons to represent our views at Chichester. “So who can best help us meet our short-term limited opportunities, and our long-term goals? “For the Lib-Dems, Andrew Brock and Margaret Collins are standing. “Are they worthy of our support? —Can the LDs, the persons who locally behind the guidance of Andrew Brock and Edward Matthews, “opened the door” to the developers in 2000-2001; can they be relied upon to sympathise with and support the 10,000 petitioners who have said “No” to the very houses they’re promoting? —Indeed can EG Division residents put any faith in local LD pronouncements, when to the utter dis-belief of many, the party at a recent Meeting of MSDC Council (23 March. 2005), unveiled a proposal to establish a “New Town” here in Mid-Sussex—this quite separate and apart from the 2500-house New Town they’ve promoted here? (Fortunately the proposal was defeated by the Conservatives on a 23–20 vote, with one abstention). “For the Conservatives, Margaret Ball and Andrew Bass are standing. “Dealing purely in issue terms, there is a problem here. Few of us can easily forgive or forget the often blatantly contemptuous treatment meted out over the past 3 years to EG opponents of mass-housing by the County’s Conservative Administration. Even allowing for the fact that the County only took this aggressive pro-houses stance because forced to do so by Government’s imposition of surplus numbers; this does little to ease the hurt and resentment amongst many EG residents which its subsequent actions generated. “However, that said, there is a reverse side. “Largely this derives from actions which have been taken by Nicholas Soames, Conservative MP for Mid-Sussex. These actions have provided much support for those 10,000 of us petitioners who said “No” to the 2500 houses; and the 96.3% of voters who also said “No” to the houses at the June 2003 EG Referendum. “These actions by Mr. Soames (which were preceded by several meetings with the PRC Committee) include: —Three separate Meetings with Government Housing & Planning Minister, Keith Hill; —Presentation (with PRCs Tim Bull) of the 10,000 signature petition to Government Minister Hill; —Presentation to Government Minister Hill of a Report/Study commissioned by MSDC on “infrastructure deficit” in Mid-Sussex; —Correspondence with the PM and Deputy-PM, putting arguments against the scale of development (which includes another 2500 houses ear-marked for Horley) “in a part of the world where the public services, water resources, etc., are already very under-funded.” —Meeting with the Chief Executive and Chairman of SEEDA where the same points were stressed; with emphasis on the urgent need to address infrastructure and transport deficits—without resolution of which Government runs the risk of creating “high stress dormitory towns to the detriment of the quality of life of local residents.” —Representations to EDF (Electricity Suppliers) about the electricity supply in EG; and to the Water Authorities about water capacity; “These then, as I see them, are the current positions relating to the competing Lib Dem and Conservative parties and their EG Division candidates as we approach the elections. “On the basis of commitment to continuing support for rationally argued common-sense development here at EG, it is clear that the Conservatives have extended a persuasive case. And here in EG Division, Margaret Ball and Andrew Bass will get my vote. “I would urge all residents of EG Division to review all available information, carefully consider their positions, then decide, and vote. “It need hardly be stressed that whatever the outcome of the 5th May elections—at County and at Parliamentary levels—the ‘battle of the houses’ will continue. “And while future attainments will be achieved by the 3CG and other local groups working collectively or on their own; assistance from elected representatives, both at County and Westminster, can provide valued, indeed quite possibly critical and determining, support.” Press Liaison: Peter Haskell 01342 322622 | Close | |
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