21 October (Part 2) - “Is that it?” he asks. Most definitely not
When
I think a blog may be of wide interest I give it a plug on X. I have been doing
so when there is something to say about
the Crook Log Golf Pod proposal. It
seems to me that Bexley’s Planning Department has been pursuing a less than
honest course of action which has necessitated much secrecy in order to conceal uncomfortable facts.
Yesterday’s blog about the Pods was not especially significant being more of a
teaser on what is to come and the Sidcup cynic felt compelled to comment.
“Noise issues, it that it?” was the implied question.
As has been said before, it is Reform UK (Bexley branch) that has been delving
into things very deeply and they have kindly kept me in the loop. They have
neither asked me to give publicity to their efforts nor asked me not to. I take
the view that they would not send their research to me if they didn’t expect me
to comment occasionally.
Noise is certainly not the only issue although it is an important one. There are
many others. It took me nearly an hour to read Reform’s list of complaints and
criticisms. It is full of highly technical stuff taken from various
authoritative sources of acoustical and other data. Their suggestion that
Bexley’s Planning Officer was negligent in the extreme in recommending that the
scheme be adopted with the encouragement of
the Environmental Heath team, looks to me to be well justified. The individual
concerned has certainly shaken any confidence I might have had in the integrity
of Bexley’s planning department.
Beyond the immediate noise issues including hearing damage; light pollution, the effects
on local ecology, drainage and water contamination, parking and highways and Land
Registry restrictions are all examined in meticulous detail.
There are complaints about named individuals with details of their failures to respond
to public questions, the alleged bias towards the applicant and what would
appear to be the deliberate misdirection of the Planning Committee.
The 29 pages of criticism, comment and data is a magnificent piece of work and a
devastating attack on Bexley Council. Reform UK has taken on the mantle of the
opposition party in Bexley. Labour Councillors spoke in favour of the Golf Pod
scheme. Reform Councillors and their support staff are still finding their feet and suffering under the obstructions
placed before them by the Tory administration. The May election results were
disappointing but underestimate them at your peril.
Index to Golf Pod blogs.