Received 5th June, 2008

Email to John Grogan MP and his reply

John Grogan M.P.

Sir,

Some time ago you made a promise that if the consultants GVA Grimley recommended a site that was not W***** G**** , you would call upon GMI to withdraw their bid.

I realise that politicians are not renowned for their propensity to keep promises, but in this case I insist that you do keep your promise and support your constituents in Beal, Eggborough and Kellington.

As a consolation to GMI, you might suggest that they enter their W***** G**** glossy brochure in the Man Booker Prize Contest. It is the best piece of imaginative fantasy fiction I have read since the Harry Potter stories.

Like the book "The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" it has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal or at least wildly inaccurate.

Glynne Hughes

Dear Glynne,

Thank you for your email. As I have noted on a number of occasions having called on the Leeds City Region to undertake a study to find the best potential site for an eco town, it would be perverse of me not to back a site for further consideration which the Leeds City Region and their consultants backed. This would obviously be to the exclusion of all other sites.

The meeting of the Leeds City Region which consists of ten Council leaders is on Thursday 12 June. I cannot really make comment on the basis of press speculation on the content of the report which will be considered by that meeting.

I will obviously make comment after the outcome of the meeting is clear.

John Grogan

Member of Parliament for Selby Constituency

Received 21st May 2008

Hi All

The council and government are always banging there drum about Recycling
and
things environmental and yet this Eco Town that might be built on arable
land and green fields looks closer and closer that it might go ahead.

The council has targets to meet with regards to recycling and if they
did
not meet these targets questions would need answering.

If we all stopped recycling our waste and started also using the
collection
points in the towns rather than the bin men what would happen? I am sure
this would cause quite a stir especially if all the villages were united
as
one.

As we pay our tax they would still have to come around each week and we
could make it pretty awkward by putting out empty bins or virtually
empty
bins.

I am sure there will be objections with regards to not recycling but,
why
should we seem to care about OUR environment when the council and
government
clearly don't.

Craig Kidd

A friend of mine went to look at the eco houses at Allerton Bywater, he
agreed that they where very nice and a small two bedroom one is on the
market for around £180,000, (apparently they cost more than that to
build)
is this still affordable housing for the first time buyer? I think not,
the
first time buyer often cannot afford over £70,000 and if the price of
everything keeps going up it will be even less, just look at the price
of
fuel, not so long back diesel was £0.96 a litre, now its closer to
£1.25, my
earnings have not gone up by that much yet I still have to manage to
find
the funds to be able to go out to work in my car and fill it with
diesel.

Yours, getting truly annoyed with this country.

Craig Kidd

Received 10th April 2008

GMI STRIKE THEIR TRUE COLOURS-and they are not as green as they seem !
At last we can see the REAL reason behind GMI proposing the "Willow Green " site.
They now state only 7000 of the 15000 homes are on GREENBELT land , the remaining 8000 homes
are on GREENFIELD -former agricultural land-and would comply with housing minister Caroline Flints
"We wont build on GREENBELT land" statement.
James Poskitt, managing director of GMI, has stated " Because our proposal was phased we can easily
recast our scheme and deliver between 6000 and 8000 homes on NON-GREENBELT land.
As I stated previously we now have the real reason behind their proposal, they want to build on land that is readily
available to them using the Eco Town umbrella as a smoke screen !
Watch this space, bet you dont see;-
Hospitals
Libraries
Doctors Surgeries
50mgw wood burning power stations
Play areas etc etc
Bet we DO see;-
5000 social houses !!
A word to GMI--- There is an old Yorkshire saying;-
We are not as green as we are cabbage looking !!!
To all residents ;- Keep on with the campaign.
Des Pointon

Received 31st March, 2008.

Many local people have written to me and to my colleagues expressing their views on GMI's bid to create an eco-town on land near to Eggborough and Kellington. Not surprisingly, a lot of people in the villages nearby are opposed to the development.
Over the years we've found that listening to the thoughts and ideas of local people regarding our developments has helped us to improve those developments. As a company we always try to do our best to meet the wishes and aspirations of those who will be affected by our schemes.
It has been suggested by many of you that we face insurmountable difficulties with the Willow Green site; but whenever we propose a development we get advice from acknowledged experts in every appropriate field before we even submit the initial plans. To date none of them has suggested that there are any technical reasons why an eco-town can not be built at Willow Green.
It's also been said that a company which is proud of its green credentials is being irresponsible, even hypocritical, to consider building on land that has never been developed. I'd like to turn that argument on its head: It's accepted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for many people, especially young families, to afford or even find a home. I believe it would be irresponsible to pretend we can ignore the issue. There are no easy answers, but because we are a company that finds solutions to difficult problems and takes its social and environmental responsibilities seriously, we've worked hard to ensure that the development meets with as many of the government's criteria for eco towns as possible.
If the government chooses the Willow Green site as one of the country's ten eco-towns - and I believe it will - we will then begin a detailed consultation with local councils and local residents. We're happy with the case we have made and certain of the benefits which can be brought to the Selby area, but until we all hear from the government there is nothing further we can add. Thank you for your continuing interest.

P. J. Gilman,
Chairman,
GMI Property Company Limited.

Received 18th March 2008

Population

Poskitt proposes to build 15000 houses on 1500 acres of land. There are 640 acres to the square mile thus Willow green would have an area of 2.34 square miles. Assuming 4 to a house (2adults, 2 children) on average this amounts to a population of 60,000.

Hence the population density would be 25600 per square mile

I found the following table showing the top ten most heavily populated areas in the UK. Willow green sits nicely in the middle

I leave it to your imagination how this abomination would turn out.

Have they got their figures wrong? Should it be 1500 houses on 15000 acres? That would be almost acceptable

Glynne Hughes

Received 5th March 2008

I think that the most interesting point from GMI's response to the Parish Council is their statement;
'we have found that consultation is best undertaken with representative bodies such as elected members'

In other words, they do not actually want to meet any real people, just councillors, and all their fine words about community and consultation are just that, fine words.

They only agreed to meet with Selby District Council in secret, which says everything you need to know about this company and their public consultation methods.

Interesting that they are also responding on behalf of Guy Poskitt.

John McCartney

Received 5th March 2008

In today’s Yorkshire Post, there is a large opinion piece on Eco Towns and their place in our region.

There are two arguments put: FOR by John Grogan MP and AGAINST by Grant Shapps MP, Conservative Shadow Housing Minister.

Please click the link here to read the article

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/opinion/Will-an-ecotown-be-a.3839719.jp

[Copy and paste the link into your browser of you have difficulty reaching this page]

Nigel Adams

Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate for Selby and Ainsty

www.selbyandainsty.com

Selby and Ainsty Conservatives Campaign HQ 43 Gowthorpe, Selby, North Yorkshire YO8 4HE

Received 4th March 2008

The parish council promised to disseminate promptly the response to our letter asking GMI to attend a public meeting in Kellington in order to discuss the implications of Willow Green and its impact on our community. Here is their reply. It is dated 19th February 2008. [See posting 15th February]

Dear Sir

Willow Green Proposal

Thank you for your letter dated 14th February.

As you are probably aware, in our first round of consultations we met with elected representatives of the parishes of Beal, Eggborough and Kellington, the wider Osgoldcross Forum and latterly, Selby District Council.

We are assimilating comments and observations and would respectfully suggest we allow government to make its announcement and response to the submissions received ahead of undertaking further consultation. At this point we will be better informed and have information to impart to the community.

Notwithstanding the above, we have found that consultation is best undertaken with representative bodies such as elected members.

We also understand that you have written to one of the landowners involved, Guy Poskitt, and as promoters of the scheme we have assumed responsibility for community consultation and therefore we are responding on his behalf.

We look forward to working with you should the project be selected to proceed.

Yours faithfully

[signed James Poskitt]

Received 1st March 2008

Hi All

JUST PLAYING DEVILS ADVOCATE!

If I were a property developer and I was planning on building a large amount of houses or an eco town which I knew might get refused permission I would decrease the number of house’s to say 500 and build them. A sort of compromise, Once they are established and full I would then apply to build a similar amount, and so on and so on. I would soon have a town if this were to happen and complete my goal, although in a different way but the same result.

I think we need to watch very closely to see that we are not hood winked from the flanks if and when the results of the Eco Town are published.

Regards

Craig Kidd

Received 25th February 2008

Did everyone see The Politics Show yesterday, Sunday 24th Feb, which featured the subject of eco towns on the main part of the programme?
It was very interesting. Kellington was on again briefly and the presenter interviewed Caroline Flint. She was asked some very good, direct questions, covering points such as sites like ours which are 25 miles away from the employment centre of Leeds etc. as well as the issue of building on greenbelt and so on.
She didn't answer them all as directly.
She did point out that the majority of the 50+ proposals put forward will be thrown out at the first stage as they do little to match the requirements.
Please have a look at the show though.
You can watch it online on The Politics Show site.
Victoria McLauchlan

Received 24th February 2008

Hi All

After reading this weeks Pontefract and Castleford express, the stories about the troubled train line to Leeds and how it’s the most overcrowded in West Yorkshire and the old Rockware glass plant that might have to lay off up to 200 people it just reinforces the issues that this area is not suitable for an eco town.

More unemployment with less jobs to go for and overcrowded transport links, if this eco town is built it will bring along with it at least 15,000 more problems.

Craig kidd

Received 22nd February 2008

When we wrote to the Ministers etc. we enclosed copies of a number of
relevant photos too.
I agree that they need to know this place that they'd probably never heard
of until this scheme came up.
(Sometimes I wonder if even John Grogan had)

By the way - when's John Grogan's next surgery? and will it be in the
village? Does anyone know? If so can it be posted on the website please?
I think we should all know and all go along .
If that's the only way we can get to see him then he can't refuse to see us
all - each - one by one and maybe get the press could come along!
May take a very long time, but then if he came to a meeting it would take a
lot less of his time up wouldn't it.

If you're listening Mr Grogan - we're still waiting?! Anytime, locally
anywhere.

Well done everyone - keep up the pressure.

Sue Powell

Received 21st February 2008

FYI copied below email received today from NYCC Countryside Service, in
reply to a complaint about carrot slurry on the footpath. Thanks to the
others who similarly complained.

At least we've got people in the right places sitting up and listening to
us!

"Hello, Am going to visit farm manager tomorrow; mainly to discuss other
footpath

issues but another two people have recently reported same as you so slurry
will

be on the agenda.....

David Ottaway
Ranger Team 3
Countryside Service
NYCC
mob 07715 747293

Keep it up folks.

Sue Powell

Received 21st February 2008

Some of the photos from the dog walk on Sunday look fantastic, especially the ones which show the great line of protesters crossing the fields, and the ones with the church in the background.
In the last few days the fields have looked amazing due to the hard frost.
Does anyone think that a small portfolio of photos showing the best views of some of the fields where houses are proposed would help our cause if they were sent to the decision makers? A title of 'Kellington under threat', or 'this is not a brownfield site' could be used at the top of the pictures.
Think I'm going out with a camera later before the frost melts to take some photos.
Anyone else could do the same.
What about 'in the whole of our district there are just 200 people waiting for houses and 2400 houses are standing empty. These fields are needed much more by the 12 species of wild birds that are at the moment under threat, the wild roe deer, the hares .... etc.
It's just a thought. The people who will decide on which proposals to put forward to the next stage haven't a clue what this area looks like or what exactly would be lost if the worst came to the worst.
If we show them, it might just help.
Another angle would be to point out the bad. Anyone out there do the M62 mad run on a morning with a passenger who could take photos of the congestion? Photos of the long double line of pylons which run across the fields? Photos from the floods last month?
Victoria McLauchlan

Received 20th February 2008

Has anyone ever answered the question that I, any many others, are constantly asking? Why on earth don't the builders/developers regenerate/renovate some of the thousands of empty buildings and properties to meet eco standards? Honestly, there are thousands, if not millions, throughout the country.My husband and I were talking to a British Gas engineer last week who lives in an apartment block in Pontefract. He told us that the block is only half-full and that another one just up the road has even less people occupying the apartments - and they've been like that for months on end. Not only that, another block is being built! The mind boggles. And in our daily paper yesterday it was reported that every estate agent has approximately 64 properties for sale and the house prices are falling rapidly. A lot of people are being forced to sell because they can no longer cope with their massive mortgages and other debts. Yet here we are, talking about building 15,000 here alone - and an 'eco house' costs about £40,000 more to build than an ordinary house! Am I missing something? My husband says there's a simple answer - there isn't as much money in it for the builders as there is when they start from scratch. Perhaps he's right.
Ann Walker

Received 19th February 2008

Hi all
We thought that the dog demo went okay. People semed to have enjoyed the communal atmosphere and the sun was shining! We got some decent publicity for our cause as well.

Fund Raising; there are some very nice key rings for sale in Eggborough Post Office.

It looks as if the decision will not be this week, will let you know if we hear any more about that.

Meanwhile, we need to keep this proposal in the public eye and on the desks of the decision makers. Any ideas as to how we can do that, would be gratefully received.

Lets keep the letters to the media going please.

see you
John and Mary McCartney

Received 19th February 2008

Mary + John
Fantastic walk - fantastic turnout THANKYOU!
Ann Walker

Received 19th February 2008

Back on the Noise front that Eric raised.

I found a useful link to a summary of prioritised sift results by noise
level for the M1, M62, M18 etc.
The latest reading for J34/35 was 83.5 dBA which is above the guidance
action level and there have been complaints received by the Highways Agency
at Junc. 34-35 !!
It lists the number of properties within 50m. as 1.
Has anyone got any info/idea of how many metres the nearest properties would
be if the Willow Green debacle goes ahead?
Even if the levels of noise would be less, over a long period of time there
may still be a significant problem.
Still digging and doing the sums but the link might be useful for others out
there.

http://www.highways.gov.uk/aboutus/documents/siftpopulation.pdf

Sue Powell

Received 16th February 2008

Just a thought here. Whilst we've all been, understandably, concentrating on the town development, has anyone else noticed that the proposed wind farm in the Stubbs Bridge area has dissappeared off the radar. It wouldn't be the first time the Government have thrown something big in to distract attention from something of lesser, but still considerable importance.

Remember 9/11 being a good day to bury bad news.

Or am I being cynical

Bob Williams

Received 15th February 2008

John

A simple question for you.

On Panorama "Underwater Britain" on 19th November 2000 - during the floods
shortly after Kellington Villagers were warned that they and their
properties were at risk and they should leave as soon as possible, no doubt
you will remember that:

Mr John Prescott said:
"What we're now saying is we want you to review your plans on housing,
particularly if housing is in floodplain areas and we're going to prevent
the building of it in some cases unless you can show that sufficient and
adequate flood defences are taken in certain parts of land where its
possible.
I am toughening up the laws now of guidance in this new regulation, that's a
role for government, and its been done in the last 12 months. Its now in
its conclusion and that sounds to me as it it's a government learning its
lessons and getting on with the job".

Whilst the transcript was from a transcription unit recording and not copied
from an original script, so even the BBC cant vouch for its absolute
accuracy, nonetheless I think we can safely say that the above is fairly
safely what he said!

That said then Mr Grogan - What on earth are you doing supporting Willow
Green and Darringfield?
Before you tell me that lots of people live on flood plains - WE KNOW.
That's what's caused the problem to get worse!
If you continue to encourage developers to build on flood plains,
particularly on green belt/green fields then you make the problem worse. It
doesn't take an Einstein to think that one through.

So perhaps you can explain why only a few years down the line (presumably
when you thought we'd all forgotten what was said by our MP's at the time)
you are flying in the face of your own former Deputy Prime Minister's words.
Have we got sufficient and adequate flood defences? Can we ever be sure we
have sufficient and adequate flood defences?
How did Mr Prescott toughen up the laws/guidance ? And did you read it
before you opposed us?

Time is running short John - as is the patience of the village.
You need to answer to us - not through the press - not through other Labour
Party Members - not through the Media - but to us personnally. To the all
the Kellington and Darrington Villagers who for some reason actually think
you're supposed to represent US.

I'm not just having a go Mr Grogan - I actually do want answers for all of
us - and sharpish please, time grows short.

Sue Powell

Received 15th February 2008

“This Council, whilst supporting the principles of eco towns in appropriate, sustainable, eco-friendly, Brownfield locations that have good local support, providing family homes and subject to standard planning procedures; strongly rejects the suggestions of the New Towns that are being called Willow Green and Darringfields on the grounds that:

They are not justified within the RSS

There is no established unmet demand for them in the area

There is no exceptional case for them in areas of green belt and on good agricultural land that is in the Kellington area

They are unsustainable on all grounds, particularly transport, energy, water and employment

The proposals from the developers on affordable housing are inadequate and do not accord with SDEC policies

They will be an unacceptable distraction from the development and enhancement of Selby town

And that these views these views are robustly presented to Government

Further that the DCLG is made specifically aware that its failure to consult with Local Authorities before the proposals were made known is very contrary to the protocol for consultation and must not be repeated in future.”

Please pass this news on to all parish council colleagues and residents.

We hope to be in the Ponte & Cas again this week, with a survey we have done about Darringfields.

Also. Please get everyone you can to sign my petition on the No: 10 website; go to

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Eco-No

Thanks to everyone who has already signed, but we need lots more people please !!!

Regards

Gillian

Councillor for Whitley Ward

Selby District Council

and our County Councillor

Received 15th February 2008

Mike James
Media and Communications
Selby District Council / North Yorkshire and York PCT
01757 292088 / 01423 859683
MEDIA RELEASE
13 February 2008

Council Sets Out Eco Town Response

Selby District Council is calling on the Government not to go ahead with proposals for a new eco town development in the area.

Two areas in the Selby district have been identified for possible development, as part of which a brand new town would be created - it would be larger than Selby town. One site, provisionally called Willow Green, is adjacent to Eggborough and Kellington. The other site, provisionally called Darringfields, covers an area near Whitley.

An announcement is expected this month on which eco town bids across the country will get central Government backing. Under current legislation a new eco town could be created without any input from Selby District Council, even though the authority would be responsible for delivering key services to residents in the new town.

At a meeting this week Councillors agreed to strongly reject the proposed new towns. The authority will also be contacting the Department for Communities and Local Government about the lack of consultation with the Council about the proposals.

Leader of Selby District Council, Cllr Mark Crane, said:

”This is not a rejection of the concept of eco towns - indeed two of the Council’s key corporate priorities centre around the environment and climate change. But we do not believe that the principles of sustainability, delivering local employment, developing on brown field land and adequate provision of affordable housing can be achieved with either of these developments. Neither sites have the necessary transport or employment infrastructure.”

“We also have grave concerns that such development would ignore locally agreed planning policies that have been developed in partnership in local communities and taking into consideration local needs. We’ll be raising these worries with the Government to make sure the voices of people living in the Selby district can be heard.”

The Council has set out several key reasons why it is objecting to the new developments.

· The proposals are not justified within the agreed regional spatial strategy, which sets out the areas for future development within the Leeds City Region.

· There is no established need for such developments in these areas.
· The infrastructure is not in place to support such developments, for example transport, energy, water and employment.

· The proposals for affordable housing are inadequate and not accord with policies already agreed by Selby District Council.

· The size of such a development would be an unacceptable distraction from the development and enhancement of Selby town.

END

Received 15th February 2008

The parish council has written a letter to G.M.I., the developers of
Willow Green, asking them if they would be prepared to send
representatives to a public meeting in Kellington in order to outline
their plans for the new proposed eco-town. It has been suggested that
the meeting be held in the evening at a date and time convenient to
G.M.I. An invitation has also been sent to Mr. G. Poskitt asking him if
could make himself available on that evening.

Any response will immediately be circulated to members of the public via
the website and notice board.

E W Beechey

Received 15th February 2008

Having read Eric's comments on noise. Got me thinking.
In today's news is evidence that noise from passing aeroplanes is causing
people's blood pressure to rise even in their sleep. And that constant
disturbance of sleep in this way can cause serious stress problems.

It would seem likely therefore that constant noise from the motorway, even
at a low level, over a prolonged period could have similar effects, and
indeed be a health hazard.

Will research more, liaise with colleagues and return to this one if it
helps

Sue Powell

Received 14th February 2008

Thanks to John and Mary for those useful tips. Can I also plead with everyone to write some last-ditch letters to the 3 key decision makers before the shortlist is announced at the end of the month. John & Mary sent us a flyer giving details, but in case you've lost it, they are:

Hazel Blears, MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Caroline Flint, MP, Minister for Housing
Iain Wright, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

They are all at the same address:
Department for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU

I wouldn't recommend emails - I would think that if they get hundreds of emails, most of them will be deleted without being read. I have sent individual letters by recorded delivery - it didn't cost much and I reckon it's worth it.

Ann Walker

Received 14th February 2008

Hi all
Well done to all those people who have been bombarding the media with letters.

However, we do not to ensure that we keep it up. Below are some of the issues that we need to keep mentioning.
Keep the letters flowing please.

Whilst there are 1,800 people on Selby's council house waiting list. Only 212 have stated a preference to be housed in the southern part of the District.

John Grogan is right about the young couples who want to bring up their families close to their parents. That is why they want a home in Selby town, Barlby, Tadcaster, Sherburn, etc not seven miles away in this new town..

Eco-houses will cost about £40,000 more to build than the average house so the idea that this new town will bring down house prices is a joke.

If the Member of Parliament for GMI is seriously interested in helping young couples to get a home and thinks that it is 'chronic shortage of supply' that is pushing prices up he needs to get on to the developers who already have permission to build over 3,000 houses that they have not started building yet.

John Grogan and GMI are both saying that the Willow Green site only has a small bit of Greenbelt in the west. This is not true; half of the site is within the greenbelt

Grogan is also calling on Selby District Council to find an alternative site to the Willow Green one. This is, and he knows it, a nonsense. Selby District Council simply does not have the capability to invest the time and resources need to find a site suitable for a sustainable eco-town.

It is the Government that wants these eco-towns. They have stated that they would prefer them to be lt on brownfield sites and preferably on surplus public land. Given that it is the Government that owns all the surplus public land and has huge resources, why isn’t Mr Grogan calling on his Government to come up with alternative sites?

Grogan constantly states that an eco-town would be a boost for the entire Selby District. That is simply rubbish. There is plenty of academic evidence to show that new towns have an adverse impact on surrounding communities, sucking in all the available investment.

The Willow Green proposal fails to meet the basic criteria for an eco-town. It is a Greenfield/greenbelt site, blighted by flooding, mining subsidence and future mining, electricity pylons, poorly sited in relation to the major employment centres and with little opportunity to develop a public transport system that would prevent it from becoming anything more than a car based, commuter town.

John and Mary McCartney

Received 12th February 2008

One aspect of the Willow Green development has, until now, been
completely missed.

When the wind direction comes from the south I can hear the traffic
moving on the M62 quite plainly. Taking into consideration that my
residence is as far away from the motorway as is possible I think that
it is an extremely relevant point. Should Willow Green come to fruition
all those houses south of the A645 would have constant traffic noise
from early morning until the end of the rush hour traffic in the evening
- some 12 hours plus of constant and perpetual noise.

Surely there must be a health hazard here.

Eric Beechey

Dear Mr Grogan

I have just read your response to Mike Bray. Can you not understand what the problem is? These are centuries-old villages, they are rural villages, they are three separate villages, Kellington is mentioned in the Domesday Book. No-one, no-one on this earth should have the right to come along, join the three together and then give the grotesque end result a new name. Even if the end result wasn't grotesque, no-one has the right to do this - it's ludicrous. We don't want it here - there are other more suitable places nearer to the towns and cities where eco-houses could be built. There are countless properties lying empty that could be renovated to meet eco standards. We don't want a new town. We don't want leisure centres and businesses here. We live in the countryside by choice. The very idea of eradicating villages like this is prepostorous and you ought to be ashamed of yourself for not giving us your backing. Even your most loyal supporters are disgusted with you. Find your site elsewhere and let us keep our rural villages.

Ann Walker

Received 12th February 2008

This is the official response from Yorkshire Water.

They cannot give a specific distance as this is unique, but it's usually 12
feet or a standard mains.

The answer regarding the presence of the water mains would be that,
following consultation with WBU, we would almost certainly not allow the
pipes to be built over, so I would expect any planning permission for a
development to have a condition attached stating a substantial stand off
distance between the water main and any obstruction such as a building. It
is possible that roads etc,. could be constructed over them subject to
normal protection measures.

Good init!

John Parker

Received 12th February 2008

Reply to Mike Bray from John Grogan

Dear Cllr Bray,

Thank you very much for your email.

Last year the Government asked local councils in West and North Yorkshire to make proposals for eco-towns. None have done so. I understand that two developers have responded. I attach a press release I put out two weeks ago urging Selby District Council to make a positive suggestion themselves.

It is sometimes easy in politics to say no to things and sit on the sidelines. I cannot in all conscious rule out the proposal of an eco-town in Selby District without thoroughly investigating it’s viability in a thorough and detailed planning process. Like other areas of the Leeds City Region, Selby District is in need of more housing and particularly affordable housing. I have met too many hard working families who cannot afford to get onto the housing ladder to dismiss these proposals out of hand. I do not support the Kellington/Eggborough site unconditionally and hope Selby District Council urgently make a positive suggestion themselves.

It is worth remembering that we are at a very early stage of this process and the reason I asked the developers to make their plans public is so that just such a debate as is happening now could start.

Should the development go ahead, I would do all I could to make sure that the development was one of which both the current and new population would be proud. I am acutely that these plans would represent a massive change for the area, but I do think it would be hypocritical of me to reject the idea out of hand. As the Tory Council leader Mark Crane himself has said, “an eco-town would bring benefits not just to Selby, but the region as a whole”.

Yours sincerely

John Grogan

Received 12th February 2008

Further to my email (6th Feb I think) regarding the possibility of voters losing their right to halt homes on greenbelt land, and the anonymous response. The article was in the Daily Mail (and yes, I know we can't believe everything that's written in newspapers!). Anyway, I've been trying to find out more about this proposal (which is all it is at the moment but, after all, it is what our PM wants apparently) and there's quite a lot of info on it on the CPRE website (Campaign to Protect Rural England). John Healey (Minister for Local Government) is heading this amendment to the Planning Bill, and not only do we have eco-towns to worry about - greenbelt/greenfield land is going to be lost throughout the country to make room for airports, major roads, ports, reservoirs, new power stations and large waste incinerators. Our Prime Minister is implementing proposals to speed up the development of these major infrastructure projects. And there I was - thinking I could stop an eco-town being built because there are wild orchids growing on some of the land!!!There's only one problem - we are advised to write to our local MP to protest.....................? Catch 22...?
Ann Walker

Received 12th February 2008

In response, Robbie, of course in my heart of hearts I know we can't just "out" JG - after all, he represents more than Kellington anyway. Allsorts of wild thoughts are going around in my head at the moment - I even day-dreamed the other day of winning the lottery, giving every employee of Guy Poskitt a huge payout on condition they all walked out on him!!! I'm not naive enough to write JG a letter telling him I could lynch him (much as I'd like to) - even though he did broadcast on TV that John McCartney "blocks all proposed evelopments". Whatever JG has done in the past, the eco-town is the most important issue these villages has ever faced and most of us feel he should be representing our wishes, his electorate. It's only natural that people are 'lashing out' at him. But that's what is nice about this website (and the forum now of course), it gives us the opportunity to get things off our chest and discuss these things between ourselves without being too offensive. I don't think we should start getting tetchy with each other - let's all go and enjoy the walk on Sunday! I'm really looking forward to it.
Ann Walker

Received 12th February 2008

I was unable to watch live but got to watch online. For others the link could be posted, it is

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/regions/yorkshire_and_lincolnshire/default.stm

and click on the Latest Program button.

Was there a reason why the Poskitt link was not mentioned?

Adie Turford

Received 12th February 2008

Advert

Wanted
Eccentric Millionaire to purchase arable actively used Farm Land
to stop nutty government from destroying 4 villages, decreasing
house prices, and destroying rural facilities by building a so called
Eco Town on a green field, green belt site.
Applications to Kellington Village
(see website for details www.kellington.net).

Craig Kidd

Received 12th February 2008

Just to point out that Warwick Estate in Knottingley was apparently a good idea when it was built, Look at it now, massive crime figures, empty housing, it’s so rough that the bus service stops at the entrance to the estate and refuses to operate past the fire station. Police only go down in pairs.

If the councils, landlords and developers cannot fill the house’s that are currently empty in our immediate area who’s going to live in this so called Eco Town.

Do I need to say more

Craig Kidd