For the remarkable council decision see
(Not
quite) The Last
chance to save the precious Titnore Woods area!
Yes
We Can!!
The
lightning emergency campaign only launched at the Worthing Alliance meeting on
October 29, 2009 included massive protests in Findon Valley on November 14 and
outside the Town Hall on December 3. In the face of public outrage, the council
was forced to back down. First they tried an unacceptable ruse of disposing of
the land on a 99-year lease (much the same as selling it'} and then, on
December 3, agreed to look at short leases, public access and land stewardship,
as urged by the dynamic Stop the Cissbury Sell-Off group (SCSO).
However
it's not quite all over and SCSO are to hold public meetings in the New Year (see
www.scso.co.uk for updates), but this
looks like being a remarkable success story in the space of just five weeks!
Sadly
news is not so good from the other end of town though, where Camp Titnore at
Durrington is bracing itself for the onslaught of a new 1300 house and the
associated buildings development. Final full permission could be granted at
Worthing Borough Council's development control committee on Thursday January 28.
Countryside
lovers are urged to turn up at 5.30pm outside the Assembly Hall in Stoke Abbot
Road for the crunch meeting at 6pm.
The
sight of the new mega-ugly Tesco already blocking the view of Highdown Hill and
blighting homes nearby, is sickening for all those who have spent the best part
of a decade fighting the destruction of this important green
lung.
Since
2006 there has also been a non-stop eco-protest on the site. Camp Titnore, which
has received massive backing from the people of Worthing. even if the local
media do their best to ignore its existence.
The
whole £3bn West Durrington development is under the wing of Taylor Wimpey,
Persimmon Homes and Heron Land Developments (headed
by convicted crook
Gerald Ronson, involved in the 1990 Guinness insider trading case), who
stand to make a fortune from the rape of the Titnore area
Unlike
in the Cissbury case, there is thus powerful pressure on Worthing council to
give the go-ahead.
But
are we really going to stand by and watch the bailiffs and police physically
smash up Camp Titnore and drag the brave woodland defenders away, bloodied
and screaming? Or can the momentum of the Cissbury success spur the
people of Worthing on to one last effort to stop this disaster in its tracks?
The answer is in YOUR hands.
So please do these 2 things.
1. Write today. All the details are here
2. At 5.30pm
on Thursday January
28
Yes We Can!!
"
Tesco Win - Worthing Town Centre Losses!
30 July 2009 a date the councillors of Worthing will remember for a very long time. For on that day, just as they were agreeing that Tesco had met the planning conditions (Reserved Matters) it was announced 22% of town center shops were empty. So what on earth were those councillors thinking of allowing a massive sell everything Tesco Extra superstore to open just 3 miles from Worthing town center.
Didn't it occur to them that shoppers would abandon the town center and all the smaller local centers for the new Tesco with it's 800 or so free parking spaces. Surely with 2000+ jobless already in Worthing the last thing the town need is a spate of failing businesses. The only thing Worthing needs is a lot of councillors facing the dole.
"
Tesco Win - So Far!
NEWS (20 May 2008) that the application by Tesco to build one of the largest Hypermarket/Shopping centre in the south on a Greenfield site just metres from their existing store - and part of the £3Billion Titnore development - has jumped the final hurdle came as no surprise to Tesco watchers.
Up and down this country Tesco appear to have no difficulty in convincing planners that Tesco is good for them. Yes 27 conditions have been imposed on Tesco but in so many cases developers wriggle out of them as overstretched enforcement officers sink under the work load.
So what of the councillor's who originally nodded through outline permission for this monster development. Well you might assume that such a hotly contested scheme would go back to those councillors to ensure everything was above board. Not a chance, not even with dozens of town centre shop boarded up those worthies seem happy to allow Tesco to draw even more trade way. No doubt in a few years time when the last small business has folded Tesco will come marching in with a redevelopment plan for the town!
"
Please note below that the National Park Inquiry finishes 29 May 2008
Just A thought
IN our last scribble we wondered why it was taking so long to draw up the plan for the revised access to the development from Titnore Lane now that the original scheme for a roundabout has been deemed defective. Well word has it, that since the South Downs National Park Public Inquiry report containing the Inspectors recommendation that all the land east of Titnore Lane should be excluded from the Park, even more of the precious Titnore area could be swallowed up for development.
But nothing new in that, for that's just what the developers and Worthing borough council had originally proposed in the Worthing Draft Local Plan. Fortunately the Inspector who held the Inquiry into the Local Plan rejected the dreadful scheme following powerful evidence put to his Inquiry by the Worthing Society.
So where are we now? Make a note of this date: 24 September 2007. That the last date for all objections and representations on the South Downs National Park Inquiry recommendations to be lodged with Defra.
"
Why Are We Waiting?
IN response to the many requests for up to date information on the progress of the application to destroy the Titnore Lane area with the massive development, I thought the following might help.
As you may remember Titnore Lane is to be used as one of the routes to and from the development, however due to it being narrow and generally unsuitable for extra traffic the development will generate, a major realignment was proposed. Part of that realignment involved a new section of road to remove the bends at South Lodge. This would involve the felling of over a hundred trees in an area showing the greatest indication of ancientness and ecological continuity and reckoned to be the best example of ancient woodland in the whole of Titnore Woods. Obviously everyone was outraged at the threat.
As a result the Worthing Society took advice from counsel on the validity of the recommendation of the Worthing Development Control Committee to approve planning permission for those alterations to Titnore Lane (their press release is copied below).
Clearly this made someone jump and discussions took place, the out come of which produced a press release from West Sussex County Council (the highway authority) stating that the bends would not need to be removed thus saving the trees. It was also decided that the original idea of a roundabout with lighting columns would be scraped in favour of a simple T junction. However the 60mph speed limit in the Lane would remain.
Maybe the safety of such a high speed limit could be the reason for the delay in the application. From the drawings seen, the exit from the development site is only some 40 metres away from the bends and with the amount of traffic driving fast around the bends coupled with the poor sighting of the T junction crashes are surely inevitable.
Worthing Society Press Release.
Local residents should be aware that The Worthing
Society continues to fight the proposals to straighten Titnore Lane which would
have so devastating an effect on the ancient woodland through which it runs.
result in the felling of substantial numbers of trees.
The Society’s solicitors latest position is that we have today issued a
letter to the Head of Legal Services at Worthing Borough Council that if the
Council grants planning permission for these proposed alterations to Titnore
Lane, the Society will apply for a judicial review to quash the grant of
permission. with the hope that this will lead to a judicial review.
The Society has taken advice from counsel on the validity of the recommendation
of the Worthing Development Control Committee to approve planning permission for
the alterations to Titnore Lane.. This advice is that the recommendation is
defective in five main areas, so that the Society is likely to succeed in a
judicial review seeking to have the approval quashed. grounds on which we are
basing our challenge are as follows:-
The Society believes that the Development Control Committee was consistently
misled by the officers of West Sussex County Council about the case for
straightening Titnore Lane and the reasons why WSCC wanted to alter the lane.
The Society believes that WSCC’s officers misled the Development Control
Committee about· the regulations affecting the design of road improvements WSCC’s policy and practice on 40mph speed limits, and the effects such
speed limits might have.
The nature of the accident problem in Titnore Lane, and therefore about the works most needed to alleviate it.·
The reasons why WSCC wanted to straighten the lane
That the Council has in addition:-
1) Worthing Borough Council has failed to implement its own decision
to accept all the Planning Inspector’s recommendations about the development
at West Durrington.
2) failed to consider the correct design standards for new junctions on roads;
3) failed to give proper consideration to the use of a 40mph speed limit on
Titnore Lane;
4) failed to take into account the nature of the accident problem on Titnore
Lane;
5) misguided itself on the purpose of the improvements;
6) failed to implement its agreement to accept all of the Inspector’s
recommendations on the Worthing Local Plan Review.
All these factors have led to a defective recommendation. If planning permission is granted on the basis of this recommendation, the Society expects the courts would quash the grant of permission.
As the funds of the Worthing Society are limited, any donations towards the cost
of this legal action to save Titnore Lane would be very welcome. Please make any
cheques payable to The Worthing Society (Titnore Legal Costs) and address them
to 3 Ilex Way, Goring-by-Sea, BN12 4UZ.
The Worthing Society
"
A Tale of Two Tory MPs
IN the blue corner we have Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West a very safe seat. And in the other blue corner there’s David Lidington MP for Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, again a very safe seat. In fact the two MPs even have a similar major local issue, namely a vast development planned for their patch with massive opposition. But this is where the similarity ends.
You see David Lidington is
supporting his constituents in their fight to halt the over development. He has called
for joined-up thinking between Government departments to ensure Aylesbury’s
infrastructure and services can cope with Ministers’ plans for the new homes
in the area.
David
Lidington thought it so important for his constituents concerns to be heard that
he secured a debate in Westminster Hall, the
second chamber of the House of Commons, on Tuesday (20 March), which allowed him
to put direct questions to the Minister for Planning, Yvette Cooper.
Mr
Lidington was quoted as saying ”The Government has long promised
sustainable communities. But this housing will only be sustainable if jobs are
created for new residents and businesses will not be attracted to Aylesbury if
we fail to improve roads, railways, electricity and sewerage capacity”.
So what of Peter Bottomley. What has he done to air the concerns of local residents faced with the prospect of a development that will swallow up a massive area of countryside, destroy the character of an ancient lane, threaten a unique ancient woodland and put a question mark on the boundary of the South Downs National Park in the area. Well Mr Bottomley what have you done?
"
YES!!!
Now I know how sweet revenge can be. No don't get me wrong we haven't caused a crash in the value of Persimmon shares, (see) or anything remotely like it. I'll explain.
Just before Christmas 2006 - yes we're interested in your fight to save the threatened ancient woodland.. eh sorry our corporate sponsors say we have to dig up dirt on you - the Worthing Herald printed an accusation from an un-named Tesco employee at their Durrington store that, wait for it... the Titnore Woods protectors were buying 'Strong Cider and Beer' - What for Christmas, never.
Well it seems someone important thought the story unfair as Tesco appears now to have got itself into the bad books of he who's birthday we've just celebrated - or not - with a glass or three. Reports have it that the multinational may loose its license to sell alcohol due to peddling chasers to 15 and 16 year olds. Surely not underage treehouse builders you ask.
Not quite as it appears fuelled up youth have been causing grief in Broadwater near Worthing and close to one of the stores threatened with the ban. Me thinks the moral of the story is: If you're up to the neck in it, pray no-one makes a wave.
"
Appreciation,
is it against the law?
Well that’s question faced by numerous well wishers who visited the Titnore Woods campaign information table in Worthing’s Montague Street on Saturday, 16 December 2006.
Things started as usual with several campaign supporters arriving armed with a table, selection of leaflets, petition forms, plastic bucket and a couple of banners. Soon after several members of the public had visited the table and left food and money asking that it should be given to the protectors camped in the woods, two community police support officers arrived and pleasantly asked what was going on and seemed happy with the explanation.
Sometime later, with a group of well wishers signing a petition at the table, a police officer arrived and forcefully stated that as the table was unauthorised it had to be removed or those present would be arrested. After a long and at times heated conversation when it was explained that the table was needed for people to rest the petition forms on whilst signing – surely a lawful activity in a Democracy? – The officer withdrew but not before demanding that the bucket, into which people had dropped gifts in appreciation for what the protectors are doing, was removed from sight.
Surely this episode is a matter of some public concern. Are the police now taking sides and supporting those who wish to trash the ancient woodland and meadows by intimidating supporters and members of the public, or is this the way they celebrate Christmas?
"
At What Cost?
It doesn't make sense, so what are those in power hiding? This oblivious question has to be asked when they're prepared to fork out many
£millions in an attempt to evict 40 or so
protectors in defenses like tree houses with aerial walkways some 50 feet above
ground and a reputed underground tunnel network containing lock-on devices etc.
So the stage is set for the mother of all woodland eviction battles instead of granting the people of Worthing the right to have, what has become to be known as the Titnore Gate Scandal, fully examined at a Public Inquiry for a fraction of the cost.
And if the cost of any eviction and the bad press for Worthing (Remember Newbury) doesn't worry them, then this ought to.
Local residents to a person are against this development and have shown it forcefully. First by staying away in droves at the last local election having been outraged by the politicians support for the destruction of a cherished area. And secondly, by generously helping the woodland protectors with food, water and all of lives essentials at their camp. These residents are not likely to go back to the polls easily after seeing how democracy has failed them. Cost? What price democracy?
So there we are, all because a unpopular government has dug its heals in and said no to a reasonable request to examine why this proposed development has caused so much grief. But why make themselves more unpopular?
Clearly with a scheme the size of the West Durrington Development, reputed to be valued at over £3Billion, all sort of
rumors are abound about 'sweeteners' to oil the application process. And judging by the antics at the various council Development Control Meetings and the past financial history of a certain director in one of the development company's
(see) you can understand why.
Oh and by the way, if eventually the protectors are evicted from the wood don't think that's the end of it. It will then be the developers who will have to defend a building site and that means security will have to be paid for. Remember Newbury,
well the developers will as their costs mount and their share price plummets.
"