HOUSES, TRAFFIC, ENVIRONMENTAL RAPE, SPORT SELL OUT (AGAIN), OBJECT NOW
Regarding Bugbrooke development, contrary to residents knowledge, the transport assessment suggests that Johns Road can cope with extra traffic. At best it's already an awkward driving slalom and pedestrian hazard.
Walkers, children and dogs displaced and death could befall local bio-diversity even though Bugbrooke's development share has seen it double twice in a century. Similar scenarios occur in settlements nationwide, its unsustainability obvious to most except for those blinded by profit's intoxicating stink. 23 abodes informed of the potential 80 houses with usual A4 notice on obscure lamp post. This approximates to £15 million of environmental blood, trumping public opinion while councils are appeased with juicy carrott land made available for rugby pitches.
Considering the diversity of hobbies and interests sport again looks the likely, predictable beneficiary should permission be granted. Bugbrooke already has numerous pitches and I wonder if conclusions should be drawn from local councillors sporting connections. At UK level, i still seethe about olympic billions that could have alleviated so much strife.
Local councils have collaborated on the excessive, unguaranteed housing limit of 110. This based on provision for the young, though "affordable" houses tend to be filled by affluent outsiders. Still the young will need housing, providing further excuse for the development cycle's perpetuation. Meanwhile, application is filed for a further 70 houses at Firs Field while empty houses and undeveloped brownfield can be found in adjacent towns.
I think most agree expansion rates are unsustainable whether at village, town or nationwide level so i implore Bugbrooke residents to shake off apathy and oficially object to relevant councils before mid June.
Click here to object - Before the 20th June
BUGBROOKE SAYS NO
Parish council approve 31 houses at Peace Hill and are not opposed to 111 in total.
November parish notes suggest there could be 222 houses imposed on Bugbrooke.
West Northants Joint Planning Unit potential development sites could see up to
622 HOUSES
Potentially within the next decade if all sites were deemed suitable.
This could potentially make Bugbrooke almost 50% bigger with obvious implications for the environment and local infrastructure.
The village boundary is likely to be extended even with smaller development, but this can be scaled down if enough people say NO.
LOCAL COUNCILLORS CONCEDE TO DEVELOPMENT IN CHAMBERLAIN STYLE APPEASEMENT
(MY ANGLE ON 17/3/10 PLANNING MEETING)
I regret that Wednesday's public planning meeting didn't do much to reassure me that the village environment is in safe hands regarding development.
Firstly i'd say that there was potential bias as both the speakers have an interest in keeping the development ball rolling as their jobs depend on it. The chap from SNDC droned on about difficult procedural technicalities and agreed directives, but i'm not sure that this is what the average villager is interesred in.
The only member of the audience that looked as if he might actually ask some cutting and relevant questions was thrice shouted down by the speakers. Another questioner accused us all of being NIMBYs, when in fact, many are very concerned about the general environment and the un-sustainable rates of expansion that threaten its (and our) future.
I wondered if councillors were aware that, over the last century, Bugbrooke has twice doubled in size? It has more than doubled since the 1960s. It doesn't take Einstein to work out that this cannot continue either on a village level, or in the wider world.
I also wasn't impressed with the other audience member who suggested that we all had our chances to object at parish council meetings. Had i the energy and confidence to open my mouth at this point, i would have told him that many people have families and long working hours that must take priority out of necessity.
A big turnout should show our elected representatives the level of local feeling about un-democratically imposed development but it appeared, at least to me, that councillors were still not fully acknowledging the drift of public opinion. By their own admission, almost with open arms, the parish council appear to be welcoming up to 111 houses. The logic that this gives us leverage against further future development is extremely flawed as it's obvious that those profiting from development will see this as a submissive gesture from the local council, therefore giving the green light to push for more development hence more profit at the expense of the village and its environment.
I was also dissappointed that some members of the public have been successfully persuaded to accept the 111 figure based on the fact that the rules are set by those further up the pyramid of power. I did notice that all official representatives blame developmental imposition on someone higher up in government. To say that we are just doing as we are told by those further up the command chain is not a good enough excuse for innaction or unchallenged compliance. Those who worked in wartime concentration camps have been known to give the same excuse.
There was no mention of the "pre-application discussions in respect of 222 dwellings in the village," as mentioned in November parish notes, and i regret that i failed to speak out to point out that the WNJPU wouldn't waste time and money on these consultations if they didn't think there was a chance of implementation of the potential site proposals.
This is why councillors should be at the forefront of leading and showing development quangos etc, that Bugbrooke can offer a strong opposition. I thought that the message might get through when many people protested on development, by voting for me a few years ago, but instead it looks like we have a Chamberlain style appeasement regarding the developmental profiteers.
If we need more evidence that the electorate are opposed to housing developments then i'm considering getting the support of a handful of parishioners to initiate a parish referendum under the conditions of the 1972 Local Government Act, schedule 12, part 3, paragraph 18. This would be trouble and expense but would prove the consolidated and democratic public opposition to these imposed developments.
Tony Benn always says that true change begins with grass roots politics, so it should be a councillors duty to represent grass roots opinion by taking a stand against un-beneficial agendas imposed from above. I realise that councillors have limited power, but they do have the power to act as a mouthpiece of the electorate rather than hiding behind the psychological barriers of bureauocracy, rule and regulation.
My comments are nothing personal and are aimed at elected representatives on every level. It's easy to criticise, but having made my criticisms i'd like to thank everyone for their efforts in organising the meeting and the increased effort and transparency in keeping the electorate informed.
Answer WNJPU consultation addresses below:
The Chief Planning Officer
West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit
Cliftonville House
Bedford Road
Northampton NN4 7NR
The Chief Planning Office
Northamptonshire County Council
PO Box 163
County Hall
Northampton NN1 1AX
To find out more about the areas affected in and around your village, click HERE and the link will take you to the West Northants Joint Planning Unit (WNJPU) website.
If, like me, you are angry about this assault on YOUR village and YOUR environment then please make your complaints as soon as possible; I suggest discussing or writing to your local councillors or even your MP as it is their duty to represent the electorate. Or alternatively, answer the consultation on the above link.
A list of local councillors and how they can be contacted is to be found on the council's web site.
Please complain today and keep complaining as it may be years before the threat subsides as the advocates of development might view inaction and apathy as a form of consent.
Details and suggestions of how to lodge your objections on the WNJPU consultation plans for Bugbrooke can be found at the Northants Residents Alliance site:
www.northantsresident.co.uk
Suggestions, ideas or comments email bugbrookesaysno@yahoo.co.uk