11 June (Part 2) - Be glad you live in Bexley
Some blogs are easier to write than others. Plug the local Labour party too
enthusiastically; cue influx of emails and lose a few Twitter followers.
Expose a local Conservative as devious and untrustworthy, look forward to a visit from the boys in blue.
This time I am in danger of upsetting everyone apart from UKIP voters.
Friday was my Aunt’s 97th birthday. I had been to East Ham the previous day, I
knew she wouldn’t be short of visitors on the 9th and I was due there
again yesterday so my conscience wasn’t too badly pricked.
As I have probably said before. my Aunt lives in a road which is occupied almost
100% by Muslim families. She is one of only two white British occupants of more
than 100 terraced houses most of which are divided into two.
The
Muslims appear to be lovely people. Three families descended on my Aunt on
Friday bearing flowers, chocolates and cakes. They brought along too many children for my Aunt’s liking
but they call her Grannie and there is no doubt their hearts are full of love.
On Saturday while I was there two more arrived, one looking very attractive in headscarf and flowing
dress. She no longer lives nearby and had walked a mile or two across town to visit.
But for all that there are ‘them and us’ differences and the
Muslim families make little attempt at conforming to the
norms of British society. This is particularly obvious in their attitude to planning law.
A look at Google Earth shows that my Aunt’s house is the only one on her side of the street
which does not have a residential shack in its back garden.
Neighbouring shacks viewed from my Aunt’s garden.
The far end of her 25 foot garden is
dominated by one neighbour’s wooden shack on the left and to the right a similar
one complete with satellite dish.
To the rear is a rough breeze block outhouse for which planning permission was
sought. What sort of Planning Department approves such a monstrosity you might
ask. Well not Newham as it happens.
The application was for a 6 metre brick rear extension and the plans showed a new
through lounge incorporating the original room and the additional new space.
My Aunt declined the opportunity to object as all the other houses to the rear
had similar extensions and this one merely filled in a gap.
You can see what was put up instead. The new edifice which would discredit
downtown Karachi is nothing like that submitted to Newham Council. Where were
their building inspectors? The monstrosity does not in any way conform to the application. It’s not even in the same place.
The husband of my youngest cousin works for Newham Council, in the housing
department I believe. He says that Newham Council is run by Muslims for the
benefit of Muslims and nothing is ever done about planning infringements. I have
no way of verifying that statement.
Do we really want to see such malpractice extended across this once great capital city?
Cue more hate mail. But does anyone want to see Bexley looking like the
socialist hell hole that is Newham? I’m absolutely sure that no Bexley Councillor of any
political colour would approve, but could King Canute stop the tide?