REVELATIONS FROM THE CORE STRATEGY CONSULTATION

The publishing of all submissions to the South Glos Core Strategy Consultation proves fascinating reading. LINK: www.southglos.gov.uk/corestrategyconsultation Quite possibly there are some gems hidden amongst this vast quantity of documentation, just waiting to be unearthed - please let us know if you personally come across any submission that you feel needs more of a profile.
A few early findings:

• thanks to all the hard work of local Thornbury/Oldbury residents, there are vastly more objections to the proposed inclusion of the Park Farm estate in the Core Strategy, than for any other development across South Gloucestershire.
• a concensus is emerging that it is not just residents in NW Thornbury who have been troubled by the inaccuracies, bias, unsustainability and injustice of the so-called "Sustainability Appraisal".
  
• an unexpected objector has emerged in the form of developers Welbeck Strategic Land. Their weighty submission to SGlos makes fascinating reading. It would appear that the strength of these objections has prompted them to set up a Public Exhibition at Cossham Hall next Thursday 18th November between 3-8pm which will "provide information on all six sites considered by South Gloucestershire Council." This week's Gazette has an article exploring further Welbeck Strategic Land's proposals.

For your information, South Glos have amended their timetable and intend to have their Full Cabinet vote on the Core Strategy on 13th December, with their decision taken to Full Council on 15th December. Whatever the outcomes of these votes, that is not the end of the story - in March/April 2011 the whole process must be independently and publicly examined and approved by the National Planning Inspector. Only at this point can the Core Strategy be adopted. We remain firmly convinced that the only route to approval of the Core Strategy must be by removing the proposals relating to Park Farm, and starting again with a new and fair, open, balanced, objective Sustainability Appraisal of all potential sites around Thornbury, that welcomes the voices and contributions of local residents and grass-roots communities.

Things to consider in the short term:

• Thornbury Town Councillors (Town Development committe 2-11-10) have expressed an interest in the Public Exhibition being held at Cossham Hall this coming Thursday 18th November (between 3-8pm). Why not join them and drop into the Exhibition for yourself. It would be good for a show of strength in voicing our concerns over the flawed South Glos Core Strategy, and our belief that it must not be allowed to stand in its current form.
• Read some of the Representations to the Core Strategy - We have no guarantee that Councillors will be reading them through, so write to them and let them know your findings. (see this blog on 22nd Sept for list of names and e-mail addresses)
  
• In May 2011 there will be elections to South Glos and Thornbury Town Councils. As a group of disillusioned electors we are determined to find and vote for councillors who will listen to the voices and concerns of local residents. We would urge you to strongly consider whether this is something that you might be able to do. Please let us know your thoughts.