MUCH has been said of the visit of Housing Minister Caroline Flint, when she met councillors, MPs, proponents and opponents of a proposed Eco-Town at Ford.
She visited Littlehampton and toured the airfield site with her officials, in order to get a feel for the area, before the public meeting in Yapton.
A number of comments have been made concerning her use of the words "articulate, confident and ric
h" to describe the CAFE campaigners.
It is clear that she used these to demonstrate that there are also people among us who have not been heard, they are neither articulate, nor confident and are certainly not rich.
If they were, they would not be on Arun's housing waiting list.
Yapton itself has a population of around 3,850 with a housing waiting list of 200.
This is 5.2 per cent wanting an affordable home.
In Bognor and Littlehampton there are 2,000 and 1,700 on the list, respectively.
Are these people to be denied a voice?
She, together with the Labour councillors, is speaking up for them.
It has been said by critics that this "silent minority" would not be interested in moving into a new Eco-Town on Ford Airfield.
Have they been asked?
Would they not enjoy the benefits of a lovely, clean, new town with parks, gardens, water features, trees and community facilities, all in a virtually traffic-free environment with first-class public transport, free in-town and well connected with local towns and villages?
Yes, there will also be shops, a food market with local produce, a surgery, schools and faith facilities all within easy reach.
Two thousand families may well get the opportunity, as 40 per cent of the homes will be affordable for both rent and purchase.
Arun already has enquiries for homes in the Eco-Town.
How many of the recently completed houses and flats in Yapton are available at affordable rents or prices?
Caroline Flint showed concern for the traffic congestion in the area.
Maybe she experienced it herself.
Let's hope she raises our road problems, including the A27, with her opposite number in the Department of Transport.
These will have to be addressed to attract business investors, wherever the development takes place in Arun.
The debate has been strong, sometimes bitter and now getting personal, which is a shame, as this is too serious for a campaign to merely tell the minister: "It's a good idea, but not here, try it somewhere else."
John Penfold
Nyton Road,
AldingbourneNOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.
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