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Your letters July 8
THIS week's letters to the County Times.
Scrap targets
I KNOW that after 13 years of Labour rule it is difficult to believe but we, the population of the UK, live in a democracy.
According to the English dictionary, a democracy is a 'system of government by the whole population through elected representatives'.
My understanding of this is that those elected to positions of power or authority are there to represent the views and interests of those who elected them.
Unfortunately Horsham District Council, like the Labour Governments we have suffered for the past 13 years, appears completely oblivious to this principle.
It is not simply the odd person objecting to these massive housing developments, but whole villages whose residents' lives will be changed forever.
John Prescott, whose politically motivated nightmare is the cause of these schemes, has no affiliation to West Sussex or any interest whatsoever in the quality of life of its residents.
This should not be the case for Horsham District Council, although to date its track record in protecting the residents' interests has been very sadly lacking.
Other councils have fought the plans drawn up by John Prescott and his regional development agencies (RDAs) and whether they have won or lost these councils have at least stood up for their constituents, unlike HDC which actually used its own tax payers' money to employ expensive barristers to ensure the safe passage of these ludicrous and obnoxious housing plans.
There can be no doubting the objections to these plans raised by the people of Billingshurst, Broadbridge Heath and Southwater and come the next local elections there will be many residents looking for independent minded councillors willing to represent their views and interests.
Thankfully, it looks as though the Coalition Government will stick by the Conservatives' promise to scrap the useless RDAs.
It now remains to be seen whether, without the threat of the RDA, HDC will respect the wishes of its electorate and in proper consultation with the residents look at sensible and realistic additional housing needs that can be accommodated on brownfield sites without detriment to the existing population and unnecessary loss of green fields and natural local amenities.
BOB BISHOP
Broomfield Drive, Billingshurst
Housing worries
THE COUNTY Times merits congratulations on the publicity it has given to residents' concerns about the tidal wave of bricks and mortar that could overwhelm Horsham district during the next 16 years.
In particular, the coverage afforded petitions against proposals for monstrous new housing developments in Billingshurst, where 3,300 villagers registered their objections and Southwater where nearly 4,000 made the same gesture most welcome.
I am aware that many people living in the district are utterly mystified by planners at Park North referring to the South East Plan as some sort of justification for continued furtherance to submerge much of our countryside under housing for incomers.
The South East Plan is dead and Horsham District Council (HDC) should accept that fact. Other councils have done so; including Mid-Sussex and Chichester, so why does our Conservative council persist with this pernicious and nonsensical relic of the discarded New Labour Government?
Dr Roger Smith, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, emphatically called for the termination of the current Horsham Core Strategy (County Times, June 24). George Tribe in his letter (July 1) insisted that Horsham district's need for housing should be reassessed because the current target of 13,000 is based on flawed predictions about potential economic growth, something reinforced by a compelling article in The Times (July 2).
It revealed an impending new credit famine that will further depress the United Kingdom economy in 2011 and the years following.
By common consent we do not want all of this new housing, we do not need it and the district does not need it. HDC would do well to accept that and undertake a review of what is really required, while ending the continual cave-in to developers that we have witnessed in recent years.
K.L. WILLIAMS (Miss)
Daux Way, Billingshurst.
Response misleads
With regard to your front page stories about the Horton Landfill Site (1/7/10), I wish to correct the misleading statement made by a spokesman for the site operators, Viridor Waste Management Ltd., claiming that the reason for the proposed further extension of the site's life beyond the expiry of the current planning permission in less than four month's time, is due to: "a delay in receiving a variation on the site's Environmental Permit".
It is perfectly true that the variation to the site's Pollution Prevention and Control Permit was not granted until February 2010, but this is because, instead of being submitted at the same time as the planning application in March 2007, as required by Government advice, it was not submitted until after planning permission had been granted.
This meant that vital environmental matters could not be properly considered by the West Sussex County Council Planning Committee.
Furthermore, when finally submitted, the PPC Permit application contained a number of serious discrepancies, not least that the annual inputs stated were far greater than were permitted by the planning permission.
In fact, data supplied by the Environment Agency show that in the three months between July and September 2009 a staggering 101,399 tonnes of household and industrial rubbish were dumped at the site, compared to the estimated 62,000 tonnes stated on the planning application.
This was an important contributory factor in the increased complaints of smell and noise nuisance from local residents received at that time, which culminated in the Enforcement Notice for nuisance issued by the Environment Agency, recently upheld on appeal.
The real reason why the site will not be completed when the planning permission runs out is because it never could have been, because the stated completion date on the planning application did not tally with the volume shown on the plans.
When local residents pointed this discrepancy to the Planning Committee, it was brushed aside as 'inaccurate' by West Sussex County Council.
The council has, of course, multi million pound waste contracts with Viridor Waste Management Ltd.
The Viridor spokesman admits that a fresh planning application has not yet been submitted.
Even if submitted tomorrow an application cannot be processed before October 1.
This means that the site will once again operate entirely without planning permission, as it did between April and November 2008.
Rather than spreading further misinformation, Viridor should be giving an apology for the nuisance caused to local residents.
This was requested at the recent planning inquiry, but was declined.
Only this can improve relations with the community, upon whose goodwill Viridor relies.
NORMAN CARRECK
New Hall,
Small Dole, Henfield.
No sniff of any apology
I hOPE that your readers have noted the reaction of Viridor to the dismissal of their appeal against the notice served against them by the Environment Agency.
Their statement contains no expression of regret or apology for the injuries caused to local residents by the foul smells emitted from their site.
Nor have they declared any determination to prevent this in future; Visitor's approach is clearly that profits are the only consideration.
No wonder that Small Dole residents are furious about the plans to extend the use of this site!
FRANK BROWN
Small Dole
Henfield
Shoppers suffer
I find it difficult to believe that the introduction of Waitrose into Storrington is responsible for a general demise on the High Street.
It is clear that the store is significantly busier that its predecessor, Somerfield, and it offers a wider variety and a higher quality range of goods.
These goods attract a premium price and, arguably, the store has attracted shoppers with more disposable income.
It is up to the local retailers to offer a product and service that appeals to the new visitors and existing residents of Storrington and, more importantly, the retailer should market the value of those goods and services.
Whilst local retailers have suffered during the recession, it is also true that local shoppers have suffered.
There is no shortage of loyalty in Storrington, however, if there is no perceived benefit from buying from local traders then people just won't buy.
Local retailers need to step up to the mark and re-invent themselves if necessary, the number of years established in the village will not make them invincible to a changing market and demographic profile.
The internet has also played a key role in shifting the business from local retailers to online delivery organisations.
The Parish Council also have an important role to play in listening to the genuine business needs of local organisations, the spirit of innovation, communication, re-invention and cooperation will surely serve to revitalize the businesses in Sttrrington.
MARK CRAMER
Labelman ltd, Unit 1
Spring Buildings
Water Lane Trading Estate
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Weather for Horsham
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
