3rd September 2017
This message is from Maxine Harmon.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ
Can I just say thanks again for all those who came to the meeting on Thursday (31st August at The Quays Community Centre) – and also for the continued messages of support from those who were unable to come. What a great community we have, we mustn’t let it be destroyed by bad planning.
I’ve written some notes below on what was discussed and what I think are the next steps. I appreciate I’ve written a lot – apologies, it’s simply a reflection of all that was discussed and all that needs to be done, so in summary:
1. Read the consultation document.
Preferred Development Option (Regulation 18) Consultation Document
2. Come to a consultation meeting – the next is at the Park Royal Hotel on Monday 4th September 2017, drop in anytime from 3-8pm.
3. Spread the word.
4. Ask questions or for help as you need – we’ve groups of specialist volunteers now.
5. Respond to the consultation before 29th September 2017 – if you’ve already filled in the questionnaire but have more to say, email or write to the planners as well.
6. Volunteer and contribute.
7. Come to the protest and/or march.
8. Be prepared to do it all again, and more, next year.
It was great for us to come together as a community and to hear first hand what people think – it’s obvious there are more questions and unknowns than there are answers despite the best efforts of Ryan Bate and the other local Councillors to share what they did know with us at the meeting.
Emotions are understandably running very high, not just on what was communicated, but how. Mistakes have been made, some of which will have immediate personal and financial impacts that may well last for months, even years, to come but we have to respond to the situation as it is rather than spend time getting angry.
A lot of people have volunteered to do more and although the deadline for consultation responses has been extended to the 29th September, we need to focus our efforts for maximum effect.
The clear message from the meeting was Read, Understand, Respond! There are a lot of documents on the consultation website now, even more than when the process started. A lot of these are very detailed and technical.
If you only read one thing, do read the Preferred Development Option (Regulation 18) Consultation Document.
Preferred Development Option (Regulation 18) Consultation Document
There is also a mountain of supporting documents on the Warrington Borough Council website – plus lots of other very relevant technical material that is not. Fortunately various people have managed to get hold of these and are creating a library for those who want it. I know that just the sheer volume of detail is off putting for many and several people have requested a crib sheet to help them respond. It was agreed at the meeting:
1. We shouldn’t just do identical template responses as these will just be bundled together and largely ignored.
2. If people don’t feel able to (or physically can’t) complete the entire online questionnaire, then please can they just do a short email or letter to the relevant address.
3. Responses of simply “I object/don’t want this here” on there own do show the strength of feeling, but will be much more valuable if they are followed up with a “because…”.
To help with this, two strategy groups are being formed – one that is going to wade through all the documents and create a one pager on technical challenges for everyone to refer to.
The second team will look at all the environmental and ecological arguments and put out a summary. These teams will also make more detailed submissions to ensure all relevant points are made. We spent a lot of time discussing process.
This is the first stage in a long battle, and it will be a battle. If you’ve not been to one already, do go to one of the remaining consultation meetings to meet the planning officers responsible for the Preferred Development Option
Monday 4th September 2017 at The Park Royal, Stretton. 3 – 8pm
Thursday 7th September 2017 at The Pyramid, Warrington 3 – 8pm.
You may also go to your local parish council meeting this month.
Despite the word “Preferred”, we have to believe (difficult I know) that nothing has yet been decided. Individual responses to this consultation only go as far as the planning office, not the council, so we need to influence them to think again and redraft their suggested plan.
This new plan will be consulted on next year, sometime in the Spring.
We can all expect a high volume of objection and feedback so a formal government inspection is inevitable before a plan can adopted. This will hopefully include a public enquiry meeting, although it will also hear from pro campaigners such as developers (and their lawyers!!).
We do know that all responses made to this second consultation whether individual or template and in any form have to be forwarded to the inspector so there is no filtering.
We need to keep the momentum going and be able to respond with both quantity and quality next year too. We need to engage constructively with local and national politicians of all persuasions – many, if not all, are likely to face re-election before this is over.
We are also all too aware that there are so many people who still don’t know what is happening. We are creating a third group of volunteers some with media expertise to get the message out there, engage with other actions groups and the media and find out what other successful campaigns around the country have done.
Finally no battle was ever won without a loyal, dedicated and resilient infantry – the foot soldiers have been out in force delivering the leaflets and there will be more needed.
As well as the planned protest at the Council meeting on Monday 16th October 6.30 – 7.30pm approx, we also plan to hold a march along the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) to demonstrate that it is not in any way “disused”.
More details to follow.
We will also need funding, particularly if we are to match the efforts of the pro campaigns. I’m delighted at the response to the Just Giving Page
…and the sales of car stickers.
We will need to do more and any help, however small, is very welcome. Suggestions too!!
I’ll finish where I began – I’ve been amazed at the response and have so many people to thank for joining with me. Communities are made by people wanting to do something together and we are.
Let’s all make Warrington a community, not a city.