Future Development in West Berkshire. Options

[Richard Garvie]

In response to a question on another thread, I don't actually believe there will be a need for additional residential development for some time to come due to the fact that by the time of the election, we will be stuck with the decisions that have been made to date. That being said, we owe it to those land owners who wish to develop to listen to their ideas and if their is a need identified in the coming years or a proposal that will benefit the area, we owe it to them to have an open and honest discussion with residents to identify a development that would be acceptable in the future.

What I would support now is in areas where residents wish to have affordable housing and in some cases villagers have already bought land, the construction of housing that is both reasonably priced and allocated to people who have a natural affinity with those areas. If there are a couple of additional units sold at a higher price to help fund it, then the full council needs to make a common sense decision.

The immediate need in West Berks is infrastructure. Roads & Rail capacity, schools, medical services, policing and fire cover. All of the things that should have been in place first to accomodate growth, we are now going to have to do in hindsight. With everything running at or close to capacity, I just worry where the funding is coming from because there is a distinct lack of provision from the developers. Do we have full pressure water supply to all allocated and proposed developments??? I know that there isn't at Pincents Hill which is likely to get the green light in January. What about flood prevention??? Will West Berks be left to finish the roads within all of these developments??? Far too many questions which should have been answered a long time before any construction begins.

PS. I guarentee that the space ship design pavillion would not be built under Labour, and we will fight any attempts to give it permission before the election. We would rather see a similar building that is of similar size to the existing building which consists of a cafe and boat store. I think Victoria Park should be left to NTC, who have a superb vision for the park already.

[Richard Garvie]

I though all members of the Labour party were socialist??? To be honest, I come from a very working class background and I remember growing up under the Tories. I joined Labour as they are the only party that stick up for people like me and those who are worse off. Does that make me a socialist??? I was part of the David Miliband campaign team, so I'd actually say I was more to the centre but to be honest with you, I've never really thought of the political badges. When you see the manifesto I publish, I'll let you guys decide if I'm left, socialist or whatever. It's not important to me, I'm more concerned about solutions to the problems we face in West Berkshire.

[user23]

I though all members of the Labour party were socialist??? To be honest, I come from a very working class background and I remember growing up under the Tories. I joined Labour as they are the only party that stick up for people like me and those who are worse off. Does that make me a socialist??? I was part of the David Miliband campaign team, so I'd actually say I was more to the centre but to be honest with you, I've never really thought of the political badges. When you see the manifesto I publish, I'll let you guys decide if I'm left, socialist or whatever. It's not important to me, I'm more concerned about solutions to the problems we face in West Berkshire.

Are you standing as in Independent or representing the Labour Party?

[Simon Kirby]

Richard, I'd be interested to hear what you think about the cost of housing.

In my view it has been fuelled by the restriction on supply of building land, or rather the restriction on the granting of planning permission. I don't see any of the parties wanting to do anything about this because of the power of the landowners. If I was Grand Poobah I'd more or less do away with planning permission and go back to houses with big gardens.

[user23]

I think you are.

Of course I'm not, I just dislike the way he constantly contradicts himself to appeal to people. It's politicking of the worst kind. Fortunately I think most have already sussed him out.

Richard, I'd be interested to hear what you think about the cost of housing.

In my view it has been fuelled by the restriction on supply of building land, or rather the restriction on the granting of planning permission. I don't see any of the parties wanting to do anything about this because of the power of the landowners. If I was Grand Poobah I'd more or less do away with planning permission and go back to houses with big gardens.

Planning permission is largely there to stop the opposite from happening, to stop your neighbour from building a three storey new-build in their garden if local residents object. I'm betting if power were taken away from local residents and landowners could build wherever they want this is exactly what would happen.

[Iommi]

Of course I'm not, I just dislike the way he constantly contradicts himself to appeal to people. It's politicking of the worst kind.

I suspect most people have also sussed you out. As I have pointed out: your examples of contradiction are are unreasonable and untrue. If you want to be taken seriously in this matter, you will have to expose proper contradictions.

At the moment it seems clear to me that you have a vendetta against Richard Garvie.

[user23]

I suspect most people have also sussed you out. As I have pointed out: your examples of contradiction are are unreasonable and untrue. If you want to be taken seriously in this matter, you will have to expose proper contradictions.

At the moment it seems clear to me that you have a vendetta against Richard Garvie.

Of course I haven't and if you're going to adopt a "it's not him, it's you" panto style debate you'll quickly find yourself on Ignore.

His online CV (Richard Garvie's Facebook CV) backs up exactly what I've been saying. Any idea what the Newbury Stadium Company is by the way?

Perhaps you could explain why you think we can scrutinise any other local politician (something I'd agree with) other than Richard?

[Richard Garvie]

Of course I haven't and if you're going to adopt a "it's not him, it's you" panto style debate you'll quickly find yourself on Ignore.

His online CV (Richard Garvie's Facebook CV) backs up exactly what I've been saying. Any idea what the Newbury Stadium Company is by the way?

Perhaps you could explain why you think we can scrutinise any other local politician (something I'd agree with) other than Richard?

I'm glad people wish to scrutinise me. User23, I have explained numerous times about Newbury Stadium Company. When faced with the possibility of 2,000 houses on green land to the noth of Newbury, I came up with an alternative vision for that land. Community sports pitches, equestrian facilities, a football stadium and a park and ride facility. The project would have been funded by a supermarket company which would have passed ownership of the stadium company to the community. The Landowner would have got the asking price and the football club would have moved away from the site WBC wishes to develop. It never got anywhere because West Berks refused to discuss it point blank. Every single person who was contacted either passed the buck to somebody else or refused to talk. West Berks have include in the LDF changes about ruling out construction of existing employment floorspace and the possibility of reallocating "employment areas". If this is the case, the landowner in question can apply to change the use of their land in the future and we may get the houses. But when it happens, I will come on here and say "I told you so". At least I'm trying to do my bit, you're just defending the people who pay your wages. Are you not one of the 150 who may be axed??? If you have been told that you are "safe", you are one of a few. Everybody I know who works at West Berks is looking over their shoulder and worrying about losing their job.

How does my CV "back up" anything you have said???