October 2006
Appeal Fund for the Public Inquiry on the appeal by New Milton Sand & Ballast on the rejection of their application for gravel extraction at “Downton Manor Farm”
The response to the Appeal has been outstanding and we are now confident that we will achieve our target of £20,000 from residents and businesses. The funds will be used for not only fighting the Appeal at the Public Inquiry in March 2007, but also making representations at the earlier Public Inquiry in January, into the HCC Structure and Development Framework for Minerals & Waste Planning.
The illustration here shows the intentions of the Minerals Industry for our area and accepted by HCC Minerals & Waste Planners as “Sites for Further Investigation”. Even more concerning is that HCC have now dropped their previous pretence that landfill will not inevitably follow gravel extraction, as was emphasised at their recent consultation meetings.
It is now very clear that our past concerns that our green and pleasant land is to be progressively to be turned into another Avon Valley wasteland of mineral workings and landfill, were well founded. London is forcing HCC to accept 2.2 million tonnes of their household waste, all of which will end up as landfill.
However, thanks to the efforts of our leaflet distributors, organisers, local shops posting our media and the response from the community, we will shortly be well funded to meet the immediate challenges with first class representation.
If you do not like what the Industry and the HCC Planners have in store for us, why not write to the man at HCC who has consistently supported schemes for extraction from our area:
Write ref: HCC Minerals & Waste Development Framework, “Mineral & Landfill Sites Requiring Further Investigation” to:
Mr R Read, ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORATE, HCC, THE CASTLE, WINCHESTER, HANTS SO23 8UD
September 2006
We need your help in funding the representation of residents at a PUBLIC INQUIRY The Inquiry is the result of an Appeal lodged by NEW MILTON SAND & BALLAST, against HCC's refusal in 2005, of their application for sand & gravel extraction at Downton Manor Farm
We believe that we can be successful in persuading the Inspector to reject the Appeal, but it is essential that the case for rejection is presented professionally on your behalf by a barrister and supported by a credible expert witness. New Milton Sand & Ballast will undoubtedly be professionally represented and whilst much of the planning and strategy in opposition to the planning applications have been carried out thus far by members of the DAMAGE Committee, we need equally professional representation at the Inquiry. Professional representation will be expensive and we are advised that the cost will be close to £20,000.
We are therefore launching an immediate appeal for funds to finance the professional costs of fighting the appeal, with the target of raising £10,000 from residents and a matching £10,000 from local businesses. Your contribution towards the £10,000 target from residents is vital, however modest, and the need is urgent. We need to select and brief the appropriate professionals well in advance of the appeal hearing, to be held at a date yet to be announced, likely to be towards the end of 2006 or early 2007. Should we be successful in persuading the Inspector from the Secretary of State's office to reject the Appeal, it is hoped that the matter will rest for close to 10 years.
We realise that there are many local issues requiring funding at this time, however if you value the peace and tranquillity of our unique small corner of the country, with its good supporting infrastructure of shops and businesses, please give DAMAGE the necessary financial support to represent you in opposing this, the most serious threat to our environment thus far, from New Milton Sand & Ballast. If the Appeal is successful, other companies in the minerals industry will surely follow in exploiting the gravel rich bonanza lying under the fields, both to the North and South of the A337, between Downton and Everton.
Please send your donation now, payable to DAMAGE, to our Treasurer:
John Richards, Amberwood House, Blackbush Road,
Milford-on-Sea, Hants SO41 0PB.
Any money raised remaining after costs are met, will be retained by DAMAGE on deposit, for use in fighting the inevitable future applications on Downton Manor Farm, by the minerals industry. The surplus funds from fundraising efforts for opposing the HCC Draft Plan in 1990 to 1992, funded the successful opposition to the NMS&B waste recycling application at Downton Manor Farm, in 2003.
We achieved recently an excellent result with HCC's unanimous rejection of New Milton Sand & Ballast's re-application to extract Gravel at Downton Manor Farm, on 19 th July 2006. Many thanks to all of you who contributed to this decision by writing letters of objection and in particular, to those who were able to attend the planning meeting in Winchester by organised coach or car.
Jim Sey for the Committee of D.A.M.A.G.E. |
