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Hi All
A friend of a friend of a friend happens to work in Town Planning (found via Facebook).  I’ve never met this chap but he’s been a complete star.  He’s looked at the plans, my very draft objection letter and also the Brentwood Council adopted local plan which is used to assess applications.
He has some very sound and useful advice, below.
He’s attached the parts of the adopted local plan that he thinks are relevant and I’ve attached my draft objection letter which needs some serious rework.
Don’t forget everyone, we have until March 14th to get letters in, and actually anything received after that date will be given equal consideration providing it is received before the meeting in mid April (I think).
Key take outs from yesterdays meeting are:

  • Copy Councillors with your objection letter
  • Try and encourage as many letters as possible as we need to match the 35 letters achieved last time in ‘05
  • Try to stick to proper planning issues when constructing objections
  • Public and overt campaigning is good and hopefully Caran can help with posters and Simon is working on an angle for the Gazette (no pun intended)
  • We need to establish a Residents’ Association to give us two opportunities to speak if there’s a full Committee meeting

I am working subtly with influencing the editor of the Gazette (Nev Wilson and I’m talking to him on Twitter).
I think “SAY NO TO FLATS IN BRENTWOOD” (or NORTH BRENTWOOD or HERE or HIGHLAND AVENUE) is a good phrase for Caran’s posters but would like input.  I’ll pop this onto the Facebook page too to see if there are other suggestions.  I figured the posters will be displayed very locally to Fairholme so we might not even need to manetion a location and maybe just “SAY NO TO FLATS” could work.
As to Residents’ Assoc - I’m leaning towards “Rockland Residents’ Association” only because that seems to be popular on Facebook. Originally I was thinking about Fair Homes Residents’ Assoc but Dave had the idea that it shouldn’t really link with Fairholme because they are effectively the enemy.  This makes it a bit adversarial but I guess that’s what we’re up against.
I only have a handful of e-mail addresses which makes communicating a bit of a challenge.  I might try and construct an update doc for distribution at the weekend together with another meeting date.  I’m thinking March 20th, 3:00pm.  I want to capture as many copies of objection letters as possible because I need to understand how we’re doing numbers-wise.
I have taken to approaching random strangers in Highland Avenue especially during the school run because these are the people who will feel affected, other than immediate residents.  I think I’m succeeding and I think the Facebook group will produce some objections too.
I’m also wondering whether it’s worth setting up a blog.  It takes no time at all and could be a more flexible place to share information.
Finally Simon’s going to try and video the traffic congestion during the school run.  I can quickly and easily turn this into a YouTube video which can support our cause.
I’ve rambled for long enough.  If there’s more you think that needs doing, or you just want to pop round for a chat or to (physically) see things from our point of view, i.e. from our garden, windows etc then please do.
Thank you all for your support.

1 year ago