Poole council accused of misleading residents over town green applications (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Poole council accused of misleading residents over town green applications
9:00am Sunday 21st March 2010 in
PLANNING Sanity has accused Poole council of misleading residents over town green applications.
The Campaign for Planning Sanity, which is representing residents over the Branksome Rec and the Baiter applications, has hit out after the head of leisure services explained why he was opposing the rec application on council-owned land.
A formal letter of complaint has been submitted to Borough of Poole by the national organisation’s director Chris Maile, citing “errors of law and fact”.
“There is clearly considerable misunderstanding of the effects and impacts of land being registered as a village green by officers of the borough,” said Mr Maile.
Clive Smith, head of leisure, told the Daily Echo he was opposing the application by Branksome residents for the 17-acre open space after taking legal advice.
He said a town green designation would restrict activities and improvements and curtail events such as organised football and the circus that regularly visits.
However Mr Maile said land registered as a town green does not have its previous usage curtailed. “While a landowner cannot develop the land for commercial purposes, small scale developments that are for the benefit of those using the land are permitted, such as new play or sports equipment,” he said.
“Similarly the use of recreation grounds by formal clubs for things such as football or cricket would continue as they always have,” he added.
But the circus would probably not be allowed he said, and disputed the possible £50,000 cost saying the average cost of a local inquiry to the council was closer to £15,000.
Borough of Poole strategic director Andrew Flockhart said: “We have received Mr Maile’s letter and will respond to the points raised in due course.”
*A total of four objections have been received to the application and these have been passed to the applicant, Branksome Rec Action Group.
Comments(8)
Syd Poumen
says...
10:44am Sun 21 Mar 10
The fact that its Planning Department was recently the subject of an expensive investigation says it all.
sea poole
says...
12:43pm Sun 21 Mar 10
So where does that leave our elected councillors who have spouted forth, and are now sitting with egg on their faces?
So many questions...and I wonder how many will get a CORRECT answer!
bea
says...
1:13pm Sun 21 Mar 10
BH10et
says...
3:02pm Sun 21 Mar 10
bea wrote:That is right, this did happen, and we corresponded with the many clubs and associations, as well as letters to the Council Planning. Alas to no avail, and I had no response from any of the open space users.
Indeed, in the case of the Slades Farm application I understand a Council officer telephoned the organisers of the various football and cricket matches, encouraging them to object to the application for Town Green status, because it would stop the teams using the facilities.
Tictock
says...
6:09pm Sun 21 Mar 10
peter beneather benifit cheater
says...
8:37pm Sun 21 Mar 10
Trooper2
says...
6:54pm Tue 23 Mar 10
The shameful behaviour of Councillor Gregory who refferred to 'short sighted residents and Hysterical attitudes' Presumably referring to the good citizens who may now feel they made a serious error of judgement in voting him onto Council.
QUOTE
Common sense to keep greens fresh.
I would like to congratulate MrPauley for his letter ( Have your Say March 2) highlighting the disservice that a minority of short-sighted residents are intent on inflicting on the enjoyment of our wonderful open spaces by the majority of residents.
It is refreshing to see a letter that speaks common sense and endorses the opinion of the Friends of Hamworthy Park who have decided, after looking at all the pros and cons, to ignore the hysteria for wanting every open space in the borough to be a town green, thus curbing improvements which could be of significant benefit to fellow residents.
Let us hope that more residents will be forthcoming in wanting our open spaces to be places of continuous improvement and not stuck for ever in the 20th century
Cllr R A GREGORY
UNQUOTE
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flossjill says...
9:24am Sun 21 Mar 10
There are places in the country where the councils themselves have designated the areas as Town Greens, the cost is minimal for them to do this rather than fight applications which they say are irrelevant as the spaces are safe anyway. Does anyone really understand why the council is fighting against something that shouldn't need more than a simple agreement?