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Bloomfield's Blog - STAG - Save The Archery Ground

Bloomfield's Blog has now moved to its own website www.savethearcheryground.net

CULTURAL CHANGE? - What do you think?

St Leonards on Sea 15 January 2009

Cllr Jeremy Birch has called for "Cultural change" in the town hall according to the Hastings Observer (6th Jan 2010). What does that mean I wonder? Well apparently it means throwing more light on the council's work and to stop the impression that too many decisions are taken behind closed doors. The article quotes Cllr Birch as saying that even councillors are sometimes in the dark. A frightening scenario if our elected representatives feel they might have lost control in some areas, whatever your political persuasion.

I have heard all sorts of stuff during the course of our campaign (www.savethearcheryground.org). Being new to campaigning I was interested to read Richard Morris's article in the Hastings Observer before christmas about allegations that the Hastings Observer was in the pocket of the Council (see old blogs for link), I know the feeling. Scandal after scandal was being suggested. Bottom line is that the planning processes and procedures are complex, new rules on consultation are poor or poorly implemented and the end result is complete disenfranchisement of the average person in the street. But it's not corrupt. There is a lack of accountability and a feeling of helplessness, the game is played by someone else's rules and they don't always seem fair or reasonable. It is absolutely the job, indeed the obligation, of every councillor and every council officer to make sure that the community is not disenfranchised and does feel that the decision making process is open and visible. That's a huge challenge and like all good intentions or new year resolutions, I guess some will disappoint. But if the intent is good, councillors and council officers will get the support they will have earnt. You can't please all the people all the time, but you can have a damn good try!

What our campaign has done is to get me thinking much more broadly about regeneration and what that means for St Leonard's. There are good things happening and it's happening because people do things. They start businesses, they renovate houses or just paint the front, they join community groups, art groups and take part in all sorts of things. It's an interesting place with real community and huge potential. And regeneration of Kings Road doesn't do any harm, grants of £10,000 for first time buyers to renovate houses in central St Leonards are well intentioned. It would be nice to strike the perfect balance, but it's an imperfect world. What we can all do; community, councillors, council officers is to have a really good go at getting it right and that starts with effective dialogue and open, visible decision making

I remember trudging up the hill to the college as a student in the early 1970's. I wasn't a very good student, never-the-less, I do remember a more vibrant St Leonard's back then. Regeneration can make all the difference here, but what is done will be here for decades to come. Let's make sure Gladedale and HBC get it right on the Archery Road site and let's make sure it makes a positive contribution towards the regeneration of St Leonard's for the benefit of those already here and for those yet to come.

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FEEDBACK - What did you think of the film?

St Leonards on Sea 13 January 2009
Have you watched the film, let us know what you think? And remember to pass it on to contacts and encourage people to sign our online petition. That's how we build our email contact list.

STAG FILM

Richard Morris at the Hastings Observerhas been writing about the planning process, read his piece and please do register and leave a comment today. It's important we support this kind of objective reporting.

www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/one-in-the-eye/Residents-vs-Developers--David.5889490.jp

We've had emails and letters of support from all the parliamentary candidates, Michael Foster, Amber Rudd and Nick Perry although they will take a pop at each other from time to time, it's good to see a united front.....

We are doing a story on the emotional impact of the planning process, the way it affects peoples real lives. Watch out for news of that story. Real people, real lives.

There is a STAG steering group meeting on Saturday and we need to think through next steps. If you have any thoughts or inspiration, we'd love to hear from you archeryroad@live.co.uk

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ARE WE BEING IGNORED

St Leonards on Sea, January 12, 2010

Four Hundred Protesters Fear Objections will be Dismissed
St Leonards on Sea, January 7, 2010...Local residents have sent more than 400 letters of protest against plans for high-density housing on the historic Archery Ground site to Hastings Borough Council.
As a result of their protests it is now unlikely that the proposed plans will be heard by the HBC Planning Committee before March.
MP Michael Foster, who supports the residents’ objections, said he’d received an assurance from the Borough Planning Officer, that “all those who were consulted previously will be re-consulted, together with those who have made representations.”
However, locals fear their views will go unheeded. In a previous exercise last spring conducted by the developer Gladedale few locals were aware that a consultation was underway. “Most residents affected by the development heard nothing from either the developer or the Council at the material time,” Martin Bloomfield STAG chairman said. “We are determined not to be ignored and insulted again.”
The local residents’ action group, STAG, is planning a series of events to keep pressure on the developers and Council to approve a scheme that fits the Burtons’ original vision for the area.
Archiectural historian Elizabeth Nathaniels will guide the new Chair of English Heritage, Baroness Andrews, around the site. “The Baroness has requested a visit to Burtons’ St Leonards and will be shown round the whole historic area by those who know something of its history,” Ms Nathaniels, said.
In addition, local representatives support the campaign. Councillor Maureen Charlesworth has branded the proposed development “an abomination.” Prospective Parliamentary Conservative candidate Amber Rudd, and Liberal Democrat Nick Perry also oppose the plans.
HRH, the Prince of Wales, when informed of the proposal, said that while he cannot interfere with local planning issues, he will notify the local authority of his awareness of Gladedale’s development.
STAG says the density is too high with little green space, and will cause chaos to the local infrastructure.
“It is unimaginative in a prized conservation area and will mow through ancient trees and heavily wooded areas currently home to wild life including owls, badgers and bats,” said Martin Bloomfield. “The Archery Road development will totally change the character of this important historic area developed in Victorian times by the Burtons in a place that has often been referred to as a national gem.” He said Gladedale’s plans would cause “untold stress to residents who face towering concrete blocks and heaving traffic on their doorsteps every day for the rest of their lives.”