PARK FARM - application for Planning Permission

Things are certainly hotting up on the Park Farm front. Pegasus, on behalf of Barratt Homes, have put in a request for planning permission for a drainage/balancing pond to be situated OUTSIDE of the "preferred option" site. For full details of the planning application, view the South Glos website that has recently gone up.
We're not entirely sure at this stage on which basis to most effectively oppose the application. It was discussed in some detail last night at the TTC Development Committee. Despite strenuous opposition from Hudson and Davies, the mood of the committee seemed to be that because TTC support in principle the Park Farm development, it would be churlish to object to a drainage proposal that would ultimately support the housing opportunity, and they were prepared to leave it all in the hands of technically-informed developers who know about drainage matters better than them. We vigorously oppose this conclusion. You may wish to visit the www.northwestthornburytc.com website to follow last nights discussions more closely.
We will keep you posted very soon on how you personally can act to object to this planning application. Why the developpers couldn't wait until after the outcome of the Core Strategy Independent Inspection, is anybody's guess?

DEADLINE FOR FINAL WRITTEN COMMENTS TO INSPECTOR

Today marked the final official day for submitting written comments to the Independent Inspector concerning final revisions to the Core Strategy. There was also an invitation to submit comments on the "Planning For Growth" statement made by Minister of State Mr Greg Clark MP.
If you would like to read our submission, CLICK HERE to better understand the worrying implications of this statement for the future of Thornbury.
To read a modified version of this statement, submitted by North West Thornbury's three Independent Councillors, Hudson, Davies and Costello, CLICK HERE.

So now we wait .... until the Inspector starts to assemble the materials and people to begin the work of his Independent Assessment of the Core Strategy.

POST-ELECTION REPORT

Dear Supporters

I am pleased to advise you that thanks to your help and assistance and votes, Rob Hudson, Vincent Costello and Gareth Davies have all been elected to Thornbury Town Council, as independent representatives for the North West Ward.

This has been no mean feat as their decision to stand was taken less than five weeks before the polling date. At that time none of them had any previously prepared manifesto or campaign material, or knowledge of electoral rules and regulations! Despite this, and the lack of backing by a mainstream political party, you have ensured they overturned the large majorities held by the former long standing LibDem councillors for Thornbury North West.

The people of Thornbury now have an independent voice on the Town Council; some new faces with new ideas and new perspectives - not hindered by party loyalties. I’m sure these three will work hard for the long term future of the town and do their best to ensure that any future decisions made take account of the views and aspirations of the NW Thornbury residents. Their blog, and further details concerning the election and its outcomes, can be viewed at www.northwestthornburytc.com

It was always going to be a ‘tall order’ to win a seat on the District (South Glos) elections, but despite Rob and Vincent not succeeding in this, they did very well – acquiring 800+ votes each (compared to the winning seats who obtained around 1400).

I will update you with any news we get on the Park Farm housing – we are currently still awaiting the public enquiry by the Independent Inspector, which probably wont happen until the Summer/Autumn.

Thank you for your support.

Grace Davies

Local Elections on May 5th

Let’s hope we end up with some Town Councillors who are prepared to listen to their constituents when it comes to making decisions about the future of our town – realising that residents may actually have some good ideas as well as informed reasoned argument and sound evidence! We’re looking for Councillors with integrity, who will challenge the status quo, and make some really good decisions - not settle for ‘least worst’ options!

So, here’s a last reminder to think carefully about who you vote for and who is prepared to really get involved and challenge the poor process that has occurred in selecting Park Farm for a housing development. It’s not over yet and the Planning Inspector’s Public Enquiry will inevitably involve Thornbury Town Council in some way.

If you live in North West Thornbury, my recommendation for the Town Council Election is to vote for Rob HUDSON, Gareth DAVIES and Vincent COSTELLO (all INDEPENDENT candidates). Check out their blog at www.NorthWestThornburyTC.com

For South Gloucestershire elections, you have 2 votes and Rob HUDSON and Vincent COSTELLO are both standing for North Thornbury as INDEPENDENT Candidates. Check out their blog at www.NorthThornburySGC.com

We believe it will be good for Thornbury to have a better mix of Councillors – not just all Liberal Democrats!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Grace Davies

Save Thornbury’s Green Heritage

SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT

Mis-informed by the Lib Dems re. PARK FARM The insert in the Lib Dem Focus election special contains numerous inaccuracies and misleading statements and the electorate should know the reality. Their four main reasons for 500 houses are, as always, inaccurate and misleading. The truth is -· They rely upon 2001 and data to prove a fall in population whilst others use more recent data (down just over 200 and hardly demonstrating a need for so many houses).· The age profile of the town reflects national trends and Thornbury is no different.· The primary schools do have vacancies but a prediction of just a small rise in place take-up is misleading. More recent statistics show that by 2015 there will be a big increase in children of primary school age across the country and definitely affecting Bristol & S.Glos. · Even if true, the naivety of their claim that numbers will fill our shops and library etc are breathtaking. A better retail mix, not a bigger population is the answer. The claim that Councillors assisted people to make their views known at every stage is depressingly economic with the truth. · Telling us in April 2010 they had already made up their mind without consulting is hardly something to crow about.· Going out in all kinds of weather to deliver leaflets in response to critcism over lack of consultation is hardly something to crow about.· They were not solely responsible for getting South Glos to agree to accept comment on the Core Strategy in any form. STGH did exactly that.· Arranging a meeting for STGH with South Glos planners only served as an opportunity for them to say how they had already decided what should happen.· When STGH have had time to speak at Town Council meetings, councillors have not answered questions but have often been brought information they did not have. STGH woke them up to a long list of things about which they were ill-informed.· Some councillors replied to many e-mails from STGH – never once did anyone manage to answer what was asked; they simply gave the party line or ignored the actual question.· It's doubtful they gave informed replies to others because they were never well enough informed to do so.· Their leaflet drops over the Christmas break sound heroic until we load in the fact that we should have had exhibitions etc before they made up their minds for us.· Dropping leaflets quickly when developers put on exhibitions was for their benefit, not ours. They oppose development on Morton Way and in any case had already decided for us. STGH is new to politics, but not surprised by Lib Dem spin and selective news giving. Their claims will be countered. It has to be said that their complacent approach and attitude to selecting Park Farm has lost them much confidence. There is much clear evidence to show that they were ill-informed, disinterested in local views and unwilling to represent those who elected them. It’s a natural consequence of what is virtually a one party town council (it wouldn’t matter which party) and people having lost their way in office. Hopefully, the Lib Dem grip will be loosened on May 5th. Tony Domaille (on behalf of STGH)

FINAL POST FOR A WHILE - ELECTIONS R COMING

Thanks for following this blog. I never intended for it to come to this, but with Town and District Council Elections fast approaching, I think it's time that some of us took a stand. Our incumbent Councillors have absolutely failed to represent us adequately at both Town and District levels. Three of our number at Save Thornbury's Green Heritage, including myself, have decided to put our disenfranchisement to the test. This will be my last blog entry until after the elections - I am hoping that an STGH colleague will take up my mantle in the intervening weeks.
If you wish to follow the campaigns, it will all depend on what Ward you are living in as to what your voting options will be.


In North West Thornbury you will get three votes for Town/Parish Councillors, and if you so choose, you can vote for HUDSON, DAVIES (that's me!) & COSTELLO, who will be standing as INDEPENDENT Candidates.
Follow their campaign at www.NorthWestThornburyTC.com

At South Glos District Council level, North Thornbury Ward is an amalgamation of the three Town/Parish Wards of NW, NE and Central Thornbury. You will get two votes for South Glos District Councillors, and if you so choose, you can vote for HUDSON & COSTELLO, who will be standing as INDEPENDENT Candidates.
Follow their campaign at www.NorthThornburySGC.com

Save Thornbury's Green Heritage intend to survey all the candidates standing in all the wards to find out exactly where they stand in relation to the Core Strategy - that way you can make up your own minds how to vote in an informed manner. Some Candidates may have you believe tht the Core Strategy is done and dusted - it's all over - out of the hands of the local Councillors. This simply is not true. An independent Inspector is still to assess the Core Strategy, following rigorous examination of the process. He/she may be very interested to learn that even now new Councillors may be coming to the fore, with a very different perspective on what is best for the future of Thornbury.

If you would like to support any of the campaigns, perhaps by delivering leaflets in your local area, or by putting up a poster in you window, why not contact the "campaign team" at

garethd123@gmail.com

with your offers of support.

Or you can download a poster directly from this posting by clicking on the link:
NW Thornbury Poster (HUDSON, DAVIES & COSTELLO)
N Thornbury Poster (HUDSON & COSTELLO)

Another Housing Exhibition - Bloor Homes / N Thornbury

Although the land at the North end of Morton Way has not been identified by South Glos as an area for housing development in the Core Strategy, Bloor Homes would like to consult local residents on the suitability of this site as an alternative to Park Farm.
Come and see their plans, and let them know what you think.
Exhibition on Thursday 7th April 2011 3-8pm at Cossham Hall.


Save Thornbury's Green Heritage have consistently argued against development on ANY greenfields around Thornbury. However, because South Glos planners failed to carry out a proper appraisal of the potential sites around Thornbury in the first place, and gave their approval to what was probably the least suitable site, at Park Farm (as clearly stated by the Independent Planning Inspector in 2006), they are now facing the consequences. Bloor Homes will probably quite rightly argue that their site is more suitable for development than Park Farm. Why not go along to the exhibition and see what you think?

Save Thornbury's Green Heritage is a loose affiliation of local residents.

We are delighted to announce that three local/STGH residents have indicated that they will be standing as INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES for NWThornbury in the local Town Council Elections on May 5th.
Two of them will also stand for NorthThornbury in the South Glos District Council Elections.

More information to follow shortly. (or check out their brand new blog at NorthWestThornburyTC.com)