So, in effect, one person made the decision. And thy call it democracy :-(

Edited by user 19 March 2014 09:19:15(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

http://www.buxtonadverti...-plan-in-doubt-1-6507998

I read this.

http://www.highpeak.gov....-local-plan-in-spotlight

As far as I can see it can be boiled down to

(1) An independent assessment of the High Peak's housing needs requires  420-470 new houses to be built each year.
(2) The current Local Plan, even if all sites were included, would provide around 360 new houses each year.
(3) The Local Plan would not be approved by central government if the housing numbers did not closely approach those of the independent assessment.
(3) If the Local Plan fails to be approved then control over planning matters would be taken away from the council.

I hope some who are wiser in these things could tell me:

(1) If my summary is correct
(2) Who this "independent assessor" is? - Who are they answerable to?  Can its calculations be challenged?
(3) Who would take control of planning matters if they were taken from the council? Would they be in any way answerable to the people of the borough?  

Edited by user 19 March 2014 17:16:58(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Clueless! And this lady from Shropshire thinks she should be our MP!


Full marks to councillors Linda Leather, David Lomax and John Pritchard for speaking out and supporting their constituents.

Jonny.  It si the nature of representative democracy that a representative can only support those of his representees who articulate their views.   There is no way he can represent a "silent majority"



And if the people of Whaley are unhappy with the number of houses let them lobby their representatives en masse.  If two thousand inhabitants signed a petition in favour of C9 and marched through Whaley with banners I am sure that David Lomax, Jon Goldfinch et all would reconsider their support.  Why don't you organize it?

Sorry, Jonny, I was confusing your sentiments with those of Canalboat.



But my substantive point stands.  In our representative democracy the representatives can only take on board the views of those who are prepared to stand up and be counted.   They can't make any assumption about the views of the "silent majority".  It would be outrageous and certainly not democratic if David Lomax and co took the view that most people in Whaley are silently happy with C9 so we will support it despite the vocal protests. 




Not on my lips - since I live a mile or more from the site - though I am opposed to the C9 development.  And I would equally oppose a development on Whaley Lane

In that case shouldn't HPBC, WBTC & especially Whaley Matters (on behalf of the WHOLE of Whaley Bridge) identify these brownfield sites & publicly put these forward as genuine alternatives to C9? Just talking about brown before greenfield does not stop developments and does not help the lack of housing

Firstly I have to admit \\that |\i do not know if the landowner has to agree before a site can be included in the local plan.  Jon has tried to find this out from HPBC planning department but they would not give a definitive answer preferring to fob us off with platitudes.

With that proviso I would suggest the following sites.
1.  The area north of the existing Hockerley estate as far as Ringstones Clough.  This could be accessed both through the existing estate and from Ringstones industrial estate
2.  The area behind Botham's Hall, accessible from the roundabout.
3. North of Ringstones Clough on the east side of the A6, again accessible from the Ringstones industrial estate

All three of these sites have the advantage of being on the Stockport side of Whaley so that commuter traffic would not clog the village.  But school traffic might unless the development included a new school.

We know Labour councillors on HPBC are trying to vote through unwanted developments in Whaley Bridge whilst Chapel residents are blaming New Mills and Whaley Bridge for the collapse of the Local Plan but lets not forget the recent major building developments which have already been completed despite some local opposition - 
 
Botany Cottages – the former site of Botany Bleach Works.
 
Cotton Close – opposite the Drum and Monkey.
 
Cromford and Alpha Mews – the former Kenfab site.
 
Meveril Estate – the former site of Meveril Springs Works.
 
The Coppice – opposite the entrance to Vista Engineering.
 
The Sidings – Land west of the railway station.
 
Woodbrook Estate – the former site of Goyt Mill.
 
 
Land which I think should be considered for development before C9 -
 
Bings Road – Land adjacent to the east of Bings Road between numbers 25 and 61
 
Bings Road – Field north of Spire House and west of Bings Road.
 
Bridgemont- Land behind the former Dog and Partridge east of the railway line.
 
Buxton Road -  Land north of The Carrs between the railway line and former Cromford and High                Peak Railway. 
 
Buxton Road – Land between the railway and west of Buxton Road from Hares & Graces to the Bridgemont turning.
 
Caldene Terrace – Gisbourne Yard – to include footpath access under the railway and along the former Cromford and High Peak railway for pedestrians.
 
Carrs Field – Land east of Buxton Road and south of Chapel Road behind the old Bank.
 
Chapel Road – the three cornered field between Chapel Road and Elnor Lane.
 
Elnor Lane – Land to the east but adjacent to Elnor Lane above the garden nursery.
 
Hoggs Yard – Between Tesco and river Goyt – to include a bridge to Bingswood Industrial Estate.
 
Reservoir Road – Land south of Reservoir Road between the memorial park and up to Toddbrook Sailing Club.
 
Whaley Lane – Land adjacent to the road and east of the former Anisca Nursing Home.
 
Wharf Road – where the garages and Plant Furnishings former buildings are located.
 

None of theses sites are ideal and objections can be found for all of them but it's my opinion they are all more appropriate than C9. Remember HPBC are not obliged to allow the building of any houses in Whaley Bridge. They have the option of liaising with neighbouring Council's to see if they are prepared to accept some of High Peaks quota. I don't know what discussions have taken place with Derbyshire Dales, Cheshire East, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham or Staffordshire Moorlands councils but the fact that Caitlin Bisknell, Godfrey Claff and the other Labour Borough Councillors can't agree between themselves I doubt whether any meaningful negotiations have taken place.

Good afternoon.

Another High Peak Borough Council extraordinary meeting has been arranged for this evening.

It will be interesting to see what cunning plan Buxton Bisknell and Glossop Godfrey have got in store tonight.

http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/councillors-set-to-consider-high-peak-local-plan-1-6546491