9 replies to this topic

[ex-user]

Sorry for yet another thread
On the proposed destruction
of green spaces
By house builders.
But people need to be motivated,

Of course I might be a minority
so the first job is to establish if these homes are wanted?

http://www.bbc.co.uk...-leeds-13013811.

"People have voted against creating 300 new houses in a West Yorkshire village in a parish referendum.
Of the 1,786 votes cast in Menston 1,760 (98%) people voted to ask Bradford Council to stop housing developments on two sites.
The result is not binding and the sites are earmarked for building by Barrett Homes and Taylor Wimpey.
The Menston Action Group used powers in the 1972 Local Government Act to hold a vote on the planned homes.
Under the act six members of a parish can call a referendum on local issues.
The referendum run by council officials on Thursday had a turnout of 49% of eligible voters.
The sites at Bingley Road and Derry Hill were allocated as housing sites in Bradford Council's Unitary Development Plan and released for development in 2008."

Six members of a Parish...?
Count me in.
5 more please.

Edited by greenhowleadman, 01 January 2012 - 02:48 PM.

[PhilD]

Under the act six members of a parish can call a referendum on local issues

can I make that two?

[Matt]

You could, but remember:

• It's not binding so has no effect
  
• It's not considered relevant to the planning process
  
• We, the people of Burley, would have to pay the full costs (probably into five figures) through our parish precept which would double overnight.

So all in all I didn't think it was a great idea for Menston, and I don't think it's good idea for Burley either - unless there's an expert barrister out there who can see a clever way to use it?

[appropriatebridge]

Instead of finding all the reasons not to do anything, why do we not have an on line petition? It costs nothing to set up and will be no more or less binding. What it will do is enable the powers that be to get some idea of the strength of feeling in the village. I am conscious of the fact that we cannot shut our minds to any development at all and suggest concentration be on the area causing most concern which I think should be the fields between Menston and Burley which is where the majority of proposed housing would be and where the best case can be made. This will also get Menston support.

I suggest the following form of words but would appreciate any alternative suggestions/ideas.


"That the city of Bradford Metropolitan District Council be strongly urged to refuse planning permission for developments on sites Between Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston the grounds that:

• Destruction of the green field sites between Burley and Menston will lead to a continuous band urbanisation from Leeds;
  
• Destruction of the green field sites between Burley and Menston will lead to the loss of amenity space well used by local families and children for countryside walking and enjoyment of the public rights of way which cross this land;
  
• The proposed overall level of housing will increase traffic on the main arterial roads and railways beyond their ability to cope safely;
  
• The proposed overall level of housing will place unacceptable strain on local facilities such as schools, medical facilities, parking and local roads."

[Matt]

appropriatebridge, on 07 February 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

Instead of finding all the reasons not to do anything, why do we not have an on line petition? It costs nothing to set up and will be no more or less binding. What it will do is enable the powers that be to get some idea of the strength of feeling in the village.

Why not? It's a great idea AB. If I was to suggest something, I'd remove the phrase 'between Burley and Menston' in your second bullet point, it's not needed as you've already got it in the first, and we don't want to forget the rest of the fields. What does everyone else think?

The council has a e-petitions web site at http://epetition.bra...nity/page/index

It would need someone to go online and set up the petition, which does require your real name, address etc to set it up.

I'd do myself it but as a member of council you're petitioning me as well, so it woouldn't seem right!

Is there someone out there who would like to se this up and post the link here?

If we get 1,500 signatures it would trigger an automatic debate at full council.

Matt

[appropriatebridge]

Matt, on 07 February 2012 - 11:39 PM, said:

I'd remove the phrase 'between Burley and Menston' in your second bullet point, it's not needed as you've already got it in the first, and we don't want to forget the rest of the fields. What does everyone else think?
Matt

I had put this in again to indicate it was these specific fields. I don't think we can say no to any development at all and the other fields proposed (off Sun Lane and at the rear of the church) seem the most logical as there could be direct road links to the by-pass roundabouts. Having said that I am not convinced that brownfield sites have been properly explored.

[weirdmusic]

Matt, on 07 February 2012 - 11:39 PM, said:

If we get 1,500 signatures it would trigger an automatic debate at full council.

What would we want full council to debate?
What outcomes could we (reasonably) expect from the process?

[appropriatebridge]

weirdmusic, on 08 February 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

What would we want full council to debate?
What outcomes could we (reasonably) expect from the process?

I agree there doesn't look much to debate yet - unless Matt can advise otherwise. I doubt we would get as many as 1500 signatures anyway in Burley although I bet a Wharfedale petition would. My thought was to get as many as possible so that the Parish Council know whether or not the village is behind any objections they would make.

[Matt]

weirdmusic, on 08 February 2012 - 03:49 PM, said:

What would we want full council to debate?
What outcomes could we (reasonably) expect from the process?

The opportunity to be heard.

[weirdmusic]

Matt, on 08 February 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

The opportunity to be heard.

Heard? Saying what?