RICHARD W. SYMONDS (RWS) - INDEPENDENT ANALYST

There seems to be a co-dependency between WSCC-SEERA-EP - all three seem to depend on each other for their continued existence. Information is strictly on a 'need to know' basis, and we need to know...especially regarding the fate of Ifield Brook Meadows within the ancient Parish of Ifield.

Slowly and surely things are starting to unravel, and we are beginning 'to join up the dots' as to why English Partnerships submitted a very late development proposal for Ifield Brook Meadows...

Watch this space...

The West Sussex County Council Local Structure Plan is a plan structurally flawed locally - and so is the political and planning cabal responsible for it.

It was my birthday earlier today - 53 - wow, now that's old - and myself and my beloved went for a bike ride, and 'got lost' near Browns Landfill Site and around Kilnwood - "West of Crawley". We know how to 'let our hair down' and go wild on birthdays.

Here are 3 unpleasant conclusions after this very pleasant ride around the 'West of Crawley'...

1. West Sussex County Council's political cabal (and 'partners') will implement their Local Structure Plan for Ifield, no matter what - and 'go hang' any Public Consultations, SEERA, Campaigners, or Whoever, or Whatever. Not content with filling every green space possible with houses WITHIN Ifield (eg school playing fields), the politically-motivated 'planners' are busy filling every green space AROUND Ifield.

2. Browns Landfill/Holmbush Site AND Ifield Golf Course Site (including Ifield Brook Meadows) will BOTH be developed (ie The ancient Parish of Ifield, with all its history and heritage, will disappear under concrete and tarmac).

3. I will continue to fight - it is a democratic obscenity. If anyone would like to join me, please do - many already have.

I have totally lost confidence in WSCC's political and planning 'elite' to act responsibly with my council tax (80% of it), and they have lost my trust. I don't mind being taken for a fool - I am one - but I draw the line at being taken for a complete fool. These bullying, arrogant, trumped-up managers (who I bankroll as a taxpayer) are taking me for a complete fool. They are professional masters at 'ducking and diving' from blame - and transferring that blame everywhere and anywhere else except in their own direction (with our money!).

I also don't like being lied to. The deceit is staggering. I don't pay servants of the Crown to tell me lies and deceive me. We live in a so-called democracy (of, by and for the people) - or that's what I thought.

The fight goes on...and the sooner these 'jokers' at County Hall are booted out of controlling this county the better - they are not fit to govern.

Just been looking at "Crawley Borough Map and Guide", kindly provided by a lovely receptionist at the Crawley Council Offices.

There it is : "Meadow Brook Industrial Centre" on a smaller 'Manor Royal and County Oak Industrial & Business Estates' Map.

Oh dear - is this the shape of things to come - Ifield Brook Meadows Industrial Estate ?

God help us all.

I have in front of me now West Sussex County Council's "Forward Plan of Key Decisions. October 2006 - January 2007". They send it to me for 'free' (our council tax) in a nice brown envelope - well, I might as well get something back after shelling out 80% of my council tax to this shower.

The document will get no 'Crystal Mark' for clarity of language - more a 'Wooden Spoon' for linguistic sophistry - language which seems to disappear up their own arse, designed to confuse not clarify - pure 'institutional obfuscation' at its best.

I digress...except to say that I no longer have confidence in the WSCC political elite to be responsible stewards of my council tax, and I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. Be assured, I speak from personal experience. I know the nature of the beast...

Anyhow, this WSCC "Forward Plan" makes for interesting reading, when you've finally de-coded and translated the crap. This caught my notice :

"ADULTS' SERVICES/FINANCE AND RESOURCES

DECISION : HOMES TRANSFER ACQUISITION OF LAND ON SOUTHLANDS HOSPITAL SITE

The Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources are asked to approve the following decisions :

(a) to declare the St Giles site as surplus to Adults' Services requirements (where have I heard that before - Ed)

(b) to dispose of the St Giles site together with the Elmcroft Site (already declared surplus) to ENGLISH PARTNERSHIPS (EP)

(c) the acquisition of land from 'EP' for Elmcroft redevelopment on the Southlands Site."


For those who've been following the 'plot', English Partnerships (formerly News Towns Commission) have recently submitted a proposal to Crawley Borough Council to develop Ifield Court Meadows within the Village Conservation Area of the ancient Parish of Ifield - resulting in massive opposition by the community (quite rightly).

Guess who is responsible for the Local Structure Plan in West Sussex. You've guessed it : West Sussex County Council (WSCC).

Is there an 'unholy alliance' between WSCC and English Partnerships ? You bet there is.

"The Government has over-ruled Crawley Council, and given building permission for the largest residential development in the town's history.

"Local borough planners last year rejected the bid by Barrett Southern Counties...due to the effect it would have on the area. They were backed on appeal this year by an independent planning inspector.

"But Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, last week ruled the development should go through because of a housing shortage in the South East.

"Worth ward councillor, Claire Denman, said : 'We were not expecting this. The arguments we put forward have been pushed to one side'.

"Martin Tuthill, land director for Barratt Southern Counties, said : 'Planning was not granted at local level, but Barratt applied to the Secretary of State, as all developers are entitled to do. Planning was granted on this brownfield site, as it will provide much-needed housing for the local area'.

"Ms Kelly refused to comment when her office was contacted."

(Source : "Town set for largest development in its history after Government overrule", Crawley News, September 6 2006).

AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF JOURNALISM BY CRAWLEY NEWS (JOCELYN COOK), WHICH PERFECTLY ILLUSTRATES WHY I AM NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IFIELD BROOK MEADOWS.

Deep democratic concern at the close links between these 'partners'...

Those within the Crawley Labour Party will have to stop 'sitting on the fence' - and quick.

Their New Labour PM is now in freefall, and it looks as if he will be 'pushed' - whether he likes it or not (and he doesn't like it).

That leaves a leadership race - Brown, Prescott, Livingston... and things are going to get messy. I think there will be two 'camps' :

1. The Pro-War Camp - those who colluded with the PM on the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq - led by a power-hungry, warmongering US regime intent on "Full Spectrum Dominance" (FSD) - global control. Silence is consent - and that silence will be judged when the WMD lies are highlighted...Brown and Prescott are inextricably linked...

2. The Anti-War Camp - those who clearly spoke out against the Iraq war, the WMD lies etc. Ken Livingston and Robin Cook immediately come to mind, but sadly the latter is no longer with us.

So, where does that leave our Blairite poodle - Laura Moffatt - Crawley MP ? In a difficult situation.

The sooner those in the Crawley Labour Party come out of 'denial' the better. If any continue to 'sit on the fence' about the war, they will be seen as Pro-War apologists.

I expect a few Labour councillors (and our Crawley MP) will be shuffling very uncomfortably in the next few days...

Well, they better stop pussy-footing about - there will be an election soon...

The Ifield Society calls upon English Partnerships to withdraw their development proposal for Ifield Court Meadows, by 4.20pm next Friday (8 September).

Will they do it ?

Is the "enemy" really English Partnerships/CB Richard Ellis, or do we look closer to home...?

Watch this space