Memorandum from Cllr Mike Jordan (BOP 51)

 

This submission is in response to the advert in 'first' the Local Government Association issue 30.

 

PROBLEM---the imposition of central government to impose, or threaten to impose, a new town (eco) in the Selby District.

 

FACTS.

· Towards the end of last year the Council Leader and Chief Executive were summoned to a meeting in Leeds. They returned and the Leader announced to the Chair/Vice Chairs at a Budget meeting that a town of between 5,000 and 20,000 was likely to be built in our district.

· At the start of this year it became apparent, mainly via rumours, that Kellington, a small village in the district, was a likely site. Uproar commenced due to lack of consultation.

· After about a month things came to a 'head' with our Prospective Conservative MP, the local MP John Grogan, and the Prospective new Labour MP going on Television with their various views. John Grogan MP thought it an excellent idea with the other 2 opposing it (but the Prospective Local Labour MP did suggest an alternate site in the district).

· Plans then switched to the Gasgoine Wood site near Sherburn in Elmet and again this was strongly opposed.

· During all this the public were totally opposed to this and voiced their opinion via the local press and public meetings.

· The Leeds City Region group (11 members) then announced a final date for the Selby District to come up with a site or oppose it.

· A full council meeting was held at Selby District and it was totally opposed.

· The Leader at Selby District (one of the 11 members of Leeds City Region) took this to the Leeds City Regional Meeting and it was further completely rejected by them. This meant that Leeds City Region had told Central Government that they could not find a suitable place in the Selby District.

· John Grogan MP graciously admitted defeat publically accepting the outcome. (Summer 2008).

· We now find that the problem has not gone away and central government have not stated that Selby District is now off their 'wish list'.

 

In submitting this report I need to bring to your attention some further information.

Selby District is mainly a rural area. Selby itself has some 7,000 houses so a new town of 5,000 to 20,000 houses will be bigger than Selby itself and dominate the region thus changing the whole make-up of the area.

Central Government has not listened to the rejection of this or it would have made a statement declaring so. What it has said is that normal planning methods would be applied. In view of this I fail to see any point in going any further because one of the roles of a Local Councillor is to listen and take note of the wishes of its community and we already have their feelings on the subject.

The approach of the Central Government on this subject has been poor; they have listened and ignored local government. It would be far better to have one volunteer than 10 pressed men and they would do well to heed this.

October 2008