I have been 'perusing' the South Norfolk Council website and came across a document entitled ' PROPOSED SUBMISSION DOCUMENT' (Local Development Framework, Gypsy and Traveller Local Development Document). In this the sites that are proposed for the A11 are as follows:
Preferred - Chepore Lane, Suton Reserve: Station Road, Spooner Row
There is NO mention of any other site - it looks very much like they have already picked where the site is going and the others have been put in the pot to confuse the issue and make us believe that they are listening!
The only way forward I can see would be to contract an independant planner, like someone from Bidwells (although maybe we can fiind someone cheaper) to rebuff the planning application. As it currently stands the site WILL most likely be on our doorsteps.
Another point to note within this document is it is, again, stating how both sites have bus routes and that the site on Chepore will have a grazing paddock on the north side. Unfortunately, I was under the impression that the council had stated that under the terms of the G&T tenancies they would NOT be allowed to keep pets - so what is the grazing paddock for???
All in all, very unhappy and very fed-up.
It will be interesting to see if the meeting tonight focuses on these two sites only or if they bring in the other 'red herrings'.
That’s interesting, it is just like many of us said all along that the council have already made up their minds where it is going to go and are just going through the motions of making it look fair and honest. It is clear they have already predetermined where it is going to go - Suton or Spooner Row and that is why they have not been listened to anything we have said. This being a non-listening council is an understatement!
Not only are they not listening to us but also they are not listening to the gypsy and travelling community either. The gypsies would rather be established close to amenities on the fringes of Thetford or Norwich, reference of this can be found on the council's website in their own G&T survey.Various gypsy families that residents know have also said the locations the council have proposed are “stupid”!
Is there some way we can have a vote of no confidence in this council or a referendum of some sort?
Not sure on that count, however we can write into the Council to say that we are taking our case to the ODPM for maladministration of the process and for the lack of 'councillor' representation. It isn't likely to stop the process, however it does affect their charter mark and we all know how councils love to show off their charter marks, this for them, is like receiving an MBE, it shows to the Government, the public and other local authories that they are doing everything in the interest of their constituants and gives them the 'aren't we so wonderful' bragging tool.... One way of damaging a council!
