View Full Version : Rochester needs your help NOW
SteveR
19th Nov 2002, 23:33
The devious idiots at Medway Council are still trying to close EGTO and put up another under-utilised business park.
This time, they're ignoring the recommendations of the planning inspector and trying to slip modifications into the local plan without proper consultation - they're even limiting the dispersal of the forms which are required for lodging objections, and these objections *have* to be in by 27th November (so they need to be in the post by the 24th).
http://www.rochesterairport.flyer.co.uk
.....has all you need.
Basically, there are 5 modifications which (if passed) sound the death knell of this historic airfield. On the site given above there are suggested forms of words to object to each, all laid out on the official form for you in MS word documents. All you've got to do is choose which ones you can most heartily agree with, print 'em, sign 'em, and post em'.
It's easy to do, but not trivial.
If you do this small thing, you are taking an active part in a campaign and you are standing up to be counted. Just because somebody else has written the words doesn't negate their effect - it's *your* name, and *your* signature at the bottom.
I've been in 3 of the meetings that this council held on the way to getting Rochester's death sentence written - the 'anti' councillors were outraged that people cared enough to write letters to them, and the 'pro' councillors were very fortified by them.
They were being moved and influenced by a few tens of letters - your submissions WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Your un-backed up intentions won't......
Steve R
SteveR
20th Nov 2002, 08:38
Aaaargh!!!
As pointed out by a couple of PPRuNers (and the site's webmaster), the site is down - at such a crucial time!?!?!! (I'd almost suggest that somebody in the council knows a thing or 2 about DNS...)
Please, please, if you are feeling motivated and want to help save a good grass airfield, well placed for the continent and bought by the council in the 30's "to be an airfield for all time" - drop me a line and I'll see what I can do about zipping the content up and returning it to you.
Steve R
[email protected]
knobbygb
20th Nov 2002, 09:47
bttt
The site is working now
Who has control?
20th Nov 2002, 10:16
Signed, sealed and tomorrow, delivered! :)
I hope it helps to keep Rochester open.
Andy_R
20th Nov 2002, 10:21
printed off, signed and in the post box
Only a small effort that if we all did would help out another beleaugered airport
Radar
20th Nov 2002, 11:23
Steve,
They're in the post as we speak. I'd wish you good luck ..... but then again, we all should be part of this fight !!
Lowtimer
20th Nov 2002, 12:25
Done. Hope it helps tilt the balance.
Big Red, It may be that frequent postings will keep this thread near the top in any event, but if it starts to slip downwards, could you spare another sticky slot for it? Rochester could perhaps be the venue for the next pprune GA fly-in, as it is a pleasant and friendly airfield well worth visiting. Where will all those poor Robins go if it closes?
ifonly
20th Nov 2002, 13:58
I've just posted mine - let's hope we can make a difference.
eveepee
20th Nov 2002, 14:30
Mine signed, sealed and sent too - please check your email.
bluskis
20th Nov 2002, 14:51
Is someone due to benefit reom the success of this continued effort by the authorities to close Rochester?
Anyway I will send off the letter, but it appears bigger guns are required, have AOPA etc etc been alerted?
Just tried to download the forms, but my settings won't allow me.
Can you make the forms easily available without having to loosen my security settings?
jayemm
20th Nov 2002, 15:07
The flyer.co.uk server is down. Is there any other way of getting the material?
PeterJfrancis
20th Nov 2002, 20:11
Just to let you all know , the server is back up (as of 21.00)
I've just signed and posted mine, lets hope it is enough.
I cannot understand why they want to build more units when there are units on estates all around the Medway area that have been empty for years !!
bluskis
20th Nov 2002, 21:08
Rental value equates to rateble value equates to more money for the local beauocrat employees who make the rules to start with.
They can afford to wait for the units to be occupied.
Call me a cynic.
Go on.!!
foghorn
20th Nov 2002, 22:07
Website down again :(
Sir George Cayley
21st Nov 2002, 01:21
- and uptitty up up again! 02.15 / 21
Best of luck with the fight. mines in the post too
Sir George Cayley (night shift....yawn)
The air is a navigable ocean that laps at everyones door
eveepee
21st Nov 2002, 08:22
Come on you Ppruners - don't let the ups and downs of the server stop you, you never know when you might want or need this lovely airfield. (Good article in Dec issue of Today's Pilot all about Rochester airfield- they even mentioned the delicious bacon butties:) ).
foghorn
21st Nov 2002, 12:23
Right - five forms printed off and going in today.
Who has control?
21st Nov 2002, 12:34
Eveepee..tut tut,
You should know by now that North Weald's bacon sarnies are far superior to those of Rochesters!!
ModernDinosaur
21st Nov 2002, 12:43
Forms completed, printed, signed and posted.
Good luck in the battle.
MD.
Aussie Andy
21st Nov 2002, 13:11
Done - printed, signed and posted... good luck guys, hope it helps...
Rallye Driver
21st Nov 2002, 14:40
Forms in the post tonight - anything to stop them messing up a lovely airfield.
Good luck John and all!
RD
Tango Oscar
21st Nov 2002, 16:06
5 forms signed and posted.
Min Sink
21st Nov 2002, 20:20
Due to the problem with the website I've put an alternative online.
http://glidehigh.co.uk/rochester/ob1.htm
If anyone from Rochester Airport has a issue with what I've done e-mail me at
[email protected] and I'll remove it straight away.
Signed and posted this morning.
Good luck
DG
Vortex what...ouch!
22nd Nov 2002, 09:58
Signed and will post them this afternoon.
Good luck.
Coke611
22nd Nov 2002, 15:31
Letter is in the post from tomorrow (23rd).
What is it about GA Airfields that councils in this country dont like!
Trinity 09L
22nd Nov 2002, 15:41
Objection in the post to the council. Is airfield too close to the motorway so they want to build a major distribution centre, and earn lots of extra business rates!!! who was first!:p
My first message folks !
Cont........
My first message folks !
If we keep loosing airfields we'll have nowhere to land Me dread is that the field will close while I'm airborne and I won't get back
keep up the fight. My replies are in the post. Let us know if there is any more we can do.
PAFRA John
22nd Nov 2002, 18:44
Many thanks to all Ppruners in downloading the objection forms. Sorry about the server glitches but there was some sort of DNS problem. Still don't know what it was.
Anyway the forms are also available on http://glidehigh.co.uk/rochester/ob1.htm and http://www.rochester2.flyer.co.uk
Please spend 10 mins this weekend to lodge your objections. Any problems mail me
[email protected]
Crossedcontrols
22nd Nov 2002, 20:15
My forms will be in the post this weekend.
Perhaps you should get in touch with Mr Kemble of the PFA. With thier help they got a result at Little Gransden against South Cambs Council.
Good Luck
CC
EyesToTheSkies
23rd Nov 2002, 10:55
Another 5 forms printed & signed. They'll be in the post before dawn on Monday. Hope I'm not too late.
SlipSlider
23rd Nov 2002, 11:58
Ditto (all 15, hope that's OK!).
Slip
posted my forms yesterday. EGTO is my base, I love the place, the staff are wonderful, and those t*****s at Medway Council want to bulldoze it. Their behaviour makes you weep for the future of democracy in this country.
A and C
23rd Nov 2002, 16:33
As I see it there are at least 135 forms objecting to the actions of meadway council from this thread , I have sent my forms off to them and Mrs A and C is about to send five as well.
Well done to all of you and I congratulate the people of rochester airport for getting there act together so quickly , it is clear that the council are playing fast and lose with the planning regulations in an attempt to close the airport.
I'd get my form off in the mail if I could get onto the website to print it off :(
Oscar Duece
24th Nov 2002, 12:38
Well done my bit also.
First class post on Monday..
We must all work together andkeep fighting when these things come up....
Kefuddle_UK
25th Nov 2002, 01:09
I cannot understand why they want to build more units when there are units on estates all around the Medway area that have been empty for years !!
My theory is that the answer is simpler and more insidious than mere rents. It is called "kick-back". Town councellors are all effing Free Masons (well enough to make it matter) and are in for a secure future in business if they tow the line.
I wish the Labour government had the guts to follow through on a bill requiring all Masons to make themselves known. Of course that got well and truely scuttled along the way.
A and C
25th Nov 2002, 09:17
Take care the CAA is also full of masons !.
coarse pitch
26th Nov 2002, 23:40
Posted this morning (for next day delivery).
Best of luck
Who has control?
27th Nov 2002, 07:12
I received a letter from Medway Council this morning - don't get excited, it was just an acknowledgment of my objections.