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FORD ECO TOWN: Injured pride seems to be Arun's main concern



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Published Date: 10 September 2008
ARUN and East Hampshire both have Eco-Town proposals in their districts.
According to research group Nomis, Arun's average gross weekly pay is £389, whereas East Hampshire's is £558, more than 43 per cent higher.

East Hampshire District Council supports the Eco-Town proposals in its district, seeing the national Eco-To
wns programme as an opportunity to improve the future prospects of its citizens and as a means of reinforcing its local economy against an impending problem – the closure of a military base.

Arun District Council opposes the Eco-Town proposals in its district, seeing the national Eco-Towns programme as government interference in its local development framework (editor: planning blueprint), and an unwelcome intrusion into the lowest-paid local economy in West Sussex.

Injured pride seems to be the main concern for Arun.

Yet doesn't the government's Eco-Towns progress report state: "Where the LDF (local development framework) Core Strategy is in preparation, local authorities should include proposed Eco-Towns as an option for consideration.

"However, there is no requirement to adopt the Eco-Town if a better way of meeting future needs exists."

Of course, a local authority that has already instigated a "council-led community campaign against the proposal" (source: Arun press release, April 2008) and where the two cabinet members on its newly- created LDF project board have already voted that "the council, together with local organisations, mount a campaign against the principle of Eco-Towns in the district" (source: cabinet minutes, April 14) might struggle to meet the required standard of impartiality!

Tony Dixon,
Barons Close,
Westergate

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The full article contains 318 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 10 September 2008 3:54 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Littlehampton
 
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Wontbedruv,

Walberton 12/09/2008 13:49:30
What utter unadulterated tripe from Mr Dixon as we have come to expect.
Our Local Authority is opposing the plans because they are unworkable rubbish supported by spin and propaganda, and people can see that they will ruin the area if they happen. One by one the eco claims of those proposing the development have been stripped away and shown to be a con.
You've been found out Mr Dixon, you don't like it, and you are now resorting to ridiculous claims like our 2 local MP's are against each other, or our Local Authority is now suffering from 'injured pride' etc etc.
If anyone is suffering from 'injured pride' I would suggest it is Mr Dixon, as the whole thing unravels - Let's face it Mr Dixon, you are an irrelevance, now would you kindly 'do one' please.
2

food4thought,

13/09/2008 10:21:50
Lots of fact and truth in this article, which only those feeling hurt would disagree.

Arun District has been and is one of the most shambolic councils around. Have you ever attended one of those council meeting and heard the endless amounts of tripe they spout out? I recall a question placed before them, "do you feel its acceptable for children to live in overcowded housing" and another "the CBL (choose based leting) does not work" the replies where like "80% of tenants are happy" and thats was it.

Arun District Council needs new faces and fresh blood, with a wide vision upon the areas future for all and not just for the wealthy.

The anti ECO was started, then supported by Arun District Council and it's representatives. This on the most part is to ensure the Conservative majority. The Conservative MPs are only interested in issues concerning those in comfortable positions, they most certainly do NOT help those suffering at the hands of narrow-minded policies imposed.

Arun District has ignored Housing issues, in fact they have ignored the Housing Crisis, but they have ensured the construction of high priced homes.
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Tony Dixon,

Westergate 15/09/2008 09:43:06
Interesting comments. Thank you.

Here's a couple of questions from me:

Will we ever see our two MPs or our Councillors marching on behalf of the 4,000 households on the housing register?

Will we ever see our MPs or our Councillors campaigning to create 4,000 jobs for the benefit of the 21,000 people currently under the age of 16?

I think these people are worth fighting for and we must ensure they "wontbedruv" from the district by those who seem unable to give impartial consideration to serious proposals for the district's future!

Arun has always had the right to consider any development proposals it wants to in its LDF - nobody ever took that away! The problem is that in the excitement of starting a council-led community campaign it seems to have been overlooked!

By the way Mr or Mrs Wontbedruv, the final (combined FEH and FAVG) bid submission has now been made to government and it is in my opinion one of the most exciting and futuristic development proposals ever seen in this country! You can now see for yourself at www.fordairfieldecotown.co.uk and look in the publications section.

It's a glimpse of what the future of our district could look like!

Kind regards to you both.
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Wontbedruv,

Walberton 15/09/2008 10:36:15
'the 4,000 households on the housing register?'
would that be the 4,000 that want to live in Littlehampton and Bognor, not in Ford?
'4,000 jobs for the benefit of the 21,000 people currently under the age of 16?' Would those jobs go to people from the area? Would the jobs be there from the start or are they planned for ahem... Future phases Would those jobs even materialise?
Lies, Spin & more lies. Let's face Mr Dixon it you are using vulnerable people to promote your own ends, and that is despicable.
'in my opinion one of the most exciting and futuristic development proposals ever seen in this country!' Yes, in your opinion, which is worth less than nothing.



5

Tony Dixon,

Westergate 15/09/2008 11:22:39
Dear wontbedruv

I am happy to respond to your comments - but before I do I would like to ask your identity?

I am prepared to stand by my comments in public, and do not need to hide behind anonymity - how about you?
6

Wontbedruv,

Walberton 15/09/2008 14:39:28
Dear Mr Dixon,
I do wonder why you might be so keen on development in Ford but not in Aldingbourne?
Answers on a postcard please............
7

Tony Dixon,

Westergate 15/09/2008 15:02:16
Why do you comment anonymously?
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Wontbedruv,

Walberton 15/09/2008 15:24:00
I do wonder why some people continue to imply that an eco town at Ford 'could' bring forward an Arundel by-pass when it has already been made clear that it cannot be part of the equation. Hmmmmmmm......

9

Tony Dixon,

Westergate 15/09/2008 17:32:54
OK - have it your way.
10

food4thought,

19/09/2008 10:26:34
LOL very well said Mr Dixon, it's clearly obvious that Wontbedruv has never experienced hard times, thus holding such narrow views, maybe Wontbedruv is one of those Councillors who have ensured such high rates of deprevation in West Sussex? Or maybe just one of those who have gladly exploited those in vulnerable postions? and so on. It most certainly appears that Wontbedruv is a supporter of the Anti Ford Eco Town.

Personally, I see acres of wasted land in and around West Sussex that should be used for housing, but then again, I'm also one of those that would like the see fresh blood within most certainly Arun District Council. This would be like a breath of fresh air, maybe we would hear and moreso see major building policies for all and not just the selected few?

http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/Council-housing-in-crisis.1257411.jp

2005 and NO CHANGE
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