18/5/2007
Letters
Our faith in QEB inspector already dashedI dropped into the formal opening of the Queen Elizabeth Barracks planning inquiry on Tuesday... Hart Council on one side on the Princes Hall stage at its white-clothed table, on the other side Taylor Woodrow’s big guns and the Ministry of Defence, on the front row more Taylor Woodrow big hitters and the humble and worthy local interest groups alongside.
A civilised introduction from all parties and an agreement that, yes, we are all happy to reconvene for battle to commence on June 5. And what happens? The planning inspector, Trevor Cookson, having listened to everyone say how disastrous it would be if there were any delay, declares it will resume on June 19. And then he gives three days on which he will not be able to attend.
How bizarre. Day One and we have suddenly lost faith in the inspector’s judgement, even before the serious arguments have begun. You can also see costs spiralling — vital witnesses and QCs away on pre-planned holidays or unavailable because of work commitments. Mr Cookson reckoned the parties wouldn’t be ready proceed. But they all said they would.
The winners so far? Taylor Woodrow and its team of fat cats sitting on land whose value goes up by the week and their bill for expenses probably going up by the hour.
You hope justice will prevail for the beleaguered residents threatened by 1,000 new houses down the road and an infrastructure quite incapable of taking them. It was an inauspicious start. Let’s hope that, in the end, our cries of protest will be heard in the place that matters.
Nick Hill
Oaken Copse,
Church Crookham
First printed in:
Aldershot News and Mail
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