Neighbours war with wounded soldiers families

[Wader2]

very unique set of circumstances, unlikely to ever occur again and it was the objectors who caused the controversy with their representations. Nonetheless, this whole sorry episode has cast Mole Valley Council in a very sad light

Actually I think it put the MVDC in a very good light. They were faced with an issue, the issue became a national one with international overtones, they rose to the occasion, they handled the huge crowd and provided, as far as I know, first rate facilities, and handled the whole think in a highly professional manner. Remember their position as councillors is not their day job.

[alwayslookingup]

Points taken, one and all, water under the bridge, let's move on etc etc. Best of luck to those involved in Grays Lane now. Keep us posted.

Rgds.

[cargosales]

Cross Posting from ARRSE where Woopert posted the following

"I've just received an email from the chair of the planning committe, Cllr Chris Hunt. I am going to break with the edict of not copying individual, personal replies as the last paragraph of his email, I think, ought to be shared for the benefit of all.

Cllr Hunt says
"I have been overwhelemed with messages of support and thanks from your colleagues; although I know that you have agreed a policy of not copying councillors' emails on your pages, could you please pass on my appreciation for those thanks, and tell your contributors that every message has been forwarded on so that all the staff who dealt with the matter, including those in IT, or setting out the chairs, or posting letters of representations etc know their role was valued.

"I know that some politicians like to grab the limelight for this type of thing, and that tars the lot of us, but we all know how these things really come together."


Woopert continues

"Well done all of you. I have to say I am immensly proud of everything that you guys have achieved, and proud to be associated with the site that has enabled people to achieve it.

"I don't think any of us who started out moderating and managing the board [ARRSE] 5 years ago would ever have imagined that we could not only influence events in the way that we have but also (to add a perspective) motivate enough people to fill a large stadium to sign a petition in support of a cause that has touched many of us in such a remarkably short space of time"


Well said woopert

CS

[Wader2]

Through 47000 on the petition now

[PPRuNe Pop]

always....

We were discussing your inputs after the meeting and you might like to know that we all considered that you gave us the feeling you knew what were talking about and that it would REALLY happen. It did, just as you said.

Your contributions were most welcome and I think if you came this way you might a few friends with a welcoming pint in their hands.

Thank you very much.

PPP

[airborne_artist]

I realise that SSAFA has a very successful fund-raising programme, but how about a "Friends of Norton House" sub-group? I'm sure there are many who would like to pop £25 pa (plus tax relief) into such a fund, and who could be invited to an annual bash each year at the house to a) raise more funds and b)connect with the local community.

I know that not all who signed the petition would join, but I reckon we'd be proud to help out with the cost of providing the transport, and have our name on the side of the minibus.

I'll post this on arrse as well.

[An Teallach]

Good call PPP

Always' contributions were the key element in setting this on the right track.

[MightyGem]

MightyGem, if you move the fast forward slide to min32 and then watch through to about min45

Thanks, Chugalug. I was going by the index points on the website and wondering why none of the other speakers were mentioned.

[gingernut]

I only became aware of this story after seeing it on the TV yesterday. I was trying to see it from both sides, the extra traffic and all that, but the residents protests just didn't seem to ring true.

In fact, the whole episode made me feel a little ashamed.

I suspect that the issues were more to do with a fear of disability than anything else.

[west lakes]

There is an "Op NIMBY" polo shirt being discussed over on ARRSE - about £25 per shirt (details page 14 of thread), with a significant % to SSAFA.

Fpr further info also look at p18 as they have anew supplier, t shirts also.
Looking like £10 per shirt to SSAFA

Will be available with PPRUNE logo/flash on a sleeve


PS Requests so far suggest about £1500 from this in donations & £2000 approx in ARRSE kitty left over

[alwayslookingup]

PPrunePop, very many thanks for your comments (post 638), much appreciated. Glad you felt the benefit and only wish I'd been able to do more. Remember, there are always systems and procedures out there, key is to make them work for you, not against you.

Unlikely I'll make it down for a beer in the near future but trust you'll all enjoy lots together nonetheless.

Same offer as before, any pruner who'd feel the benefit of a private conversation (as several have) please PM. I can't gauruntee to be able to help personally, but I'll usually be able to get in touch with someone who can.

Keep the faith, one and all, and remember, next time, let's do it to them before they do it to us!

ALU.

[BATS]

West Lakes

If there is a reasonable sum in the kitty, I would suggest that it is donated to SSAFA towards the cost of putting the wheelchair ramp into Grays Rd ! Seems only fitting given what the money was raised for and would leave a lasting reminder of the efforts of ARRSE, Prune et al.

BT

[Tigs2]

Over on ARRSE after some initial ideas, it seems the overwhelming support is that the money is just given to SSAFA as that was the fighting cause it was given to, and those that donated will have fully understood that. SSAFA are best placed to know how to spend the money, and, under the circumstances are likely to use it directly on Grays Lane. The general concensus now is to step back and let SSAFA get on with their job. Well done everyone.

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Final update.

TOG

[cargosales]

More from the Telegraph

There's some excellent joined-up thinking going on at the Telegraph. The piece by Jenny McCartney in today's Sunday Telegraph very nicely makes the connection between Gray's Lane and the Ghurkas

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/m.../05/do0505.xml

One would hope the politicians who were so quick to support SSAFA are now equally unequivocal in their representations to the Immigration Service. If not, perhaps they need further persuasion.

CS

[weevhearditb4]

Dear all

A good article and editors comments in today’s Kent on Sunday about SSAFA and greys lane (on pages 8 and 9). Also good Editors comment page 26 (top left)

Good to meet some of the blue team at the MVDC but could not stay long enough in the pub to meet up with others best wishes to all.

This paper also takes up the Gurkha cause so may well be worth PPRuNe's and AArses getting them on side.

[JessTheDog]

But what of Ms Westphal, the Council planner who’s unilateral rewriting of Policy Env22 to suit whatever ends she had in mind caused the furore in the first place? How convenient for her to be on holiday on the day of the meeting. One trusts that on her return she will have the civvie equivalent of a caps-on interview with her line manager. Granted this was a very unique set of circumstances, unlikely to ever occur again and it was the objectors who caused the controversy with their representations. Nonetheless, this whole sorry episode has cast Mole Valley Council in a very sad light and I’d hope the chief executive and his or her senior management team will be putting in place some kind of procedure to ensure this never happens to them again.

I wish to leap to the defence of Miss Westphal! It is unlikely that the decision was hers alone. She would be following precedents (of which there are quite a few, often overturned on appeal!) and her chain of command would have taken a close interest in so many objections. Look to further up the tree for the direction that the development control service takes. I hope she enjoys her holiday!

[Tigs2]

Jess
I totally agree with you. When the recommendation was initially sent their was an overwhelming number of letters from objectors. Throughout the process from the commencement of our involvement, the young lady concerned acted professionally and sympathetically. I do not think the finger can nor should be pointed at her. Furthermore there is no need for a good old 'military' style witchunt from anyone. There was an issue, people were legally entitled to object, we were legally entitled to support, and we won. Endex!

[Chugalug2]

There was an issue, people were legally entitled to object, we were legally entitled to support, and we won. Endex!

Spot on Tigs, as always. Other than mending fences (the flower power idea is, like, great man. Like I dig it. Like peace Man!) it is time to move on. As the man in the cape and the underpants worn outside his tights says, "our work here is done!". Jess reminds us that there is still the case of L/Cpl Rai and of his colleagues. As Mr Pun VC constantly reminds us, there is injustice and dishonour to put right. A mere bagatelle for a caped crusader, perhaps a little more challenging for we mere mortals but one that we will surely rise to with our good friends from Arrse!

[alwayslookingup]

Folks,

I refer to my Post 635 and PPrunePop's 638. Many more battles to fight, powder to be kept dry for the fighting of. Let's move on, eh?

Rgds

ALU.