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CAMPAIGN UPDATE Feb 8th
BBC South will be filming about the SaveBlackheathCommon Campaign tomorrow morning. Any available supporters please meet at 11am by Albury cricket pitch, New Road! Opposition to Star Energy's proposals has already featured in The Times, The Telegraph, Surrey Advertiser and recently London's Evening Standard. TV stations have also covered the local campaign - Meridian, BBC London Tonight and tomorrow BBS South. Be a star Against Star!!
Surrey County Council have confirmed that the deadline for submitting letters of objection has been extended. This is due to the need for a considerable amount of additional information. The planning application will definitely NOT go before the next Planning Committee on 22 Feb and is unlikely to go to the following committee date on 29 Mar. The situation will become clearer over the next 2-3 weeks and we will keep you informed through this update page. In case you wish to note the possible dates that this application may go to committee in 2006, they are: 29 Mar, 18 Apr, 3 May, 7 June, 19 July, 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 22 Nov & 13 Dec. Objections will be accepted right up to the date of the committee meeting but need to be submitted a few weeks ahead if they are to be incorporated into the case officer’s report. See Factsheet provided by Alan Stones from Surrey CC at Albury Public meeting.
There
is no doubt that the many objections already submitted have raised a
number of issues that have contributed to the process and need for
clarification. If you have
not yet sent your objection then you may wish to wait a couple of weeks
until the revised timescale becomes clearer.
Although this application is a Minerals application and is decided by Surrey County Council, both Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils are consultees. Many supporters were dismayed to learn that Guildford Borough Council had announced that they “did not object to the proposals in principle”. This decision was made without the proposals going to a Planning Committee and caused a public outcry. Guildford Council have responded to the views of their electorate and reconsidered their stance. They confirmed on 7th Feb that they will now be objecting to Star Energy’s application proposals as further evaluation leads them to conclude that the proposals will damage the environment with permanent effect and cannot be justified.
Waverley Borough Council has also confirmed their objection to Star Energy's proposals.
Albury Parish Council met on Thurs Feb
2nd in Albury Hall to decide their position regarding
Star Energy's proposals. A large number of local residents attended the
meeting as observers and were given ample opportunity to express their
opinions. Following constructive discussion, the Parish councillors
deliberated further and unanimously voted their objection to Star Energy's
proposals.
Wonersh PC have also confirmed their strong objection to Star Energy's proposals. Other Parish Councils will be deciding their position shortly
Although only 3 weeks in
existence, the Action Group of the campaign has now met several times and
expanded significantly. A formal
structure is now in place to provide an effective and sustainable platform for
the campaign. A core Steering Group
comprising Paul Lister, Nicola Savage & David Small has been
endorsed and links into Brook Residents Group and Blackheath Village Society. There is already an
energetic team within the Action Group but further skills and help will be
required. The Steering Group would
like to thank the many of you who have offered help and we will get back to you
as the needs of the Campaign evolve.
As mentioned, an impromptu
collection was made at the public meeting and many of you have offered in your
emails to help financially. The
financial requirements of the Campaign will be clearer once we have scoped our
strategy – so we will get back to you.
We already have community representatives from most key villages but would like to hear from anyone who could act as a representative for Chilworth, Shalford & Farley Heath to help us with communication. Meet new friends and help the campaign! If you are interested please contact David on 203588 or email support@saveblackheathcommon.com
The Public Meeting at
Albury Hall on 20th Jan was extremely well-attended by over 200
people. With the hall filled, 70
listened to proceedings on loudspeakers outside in plunging January
temperatures. Star Energy were
invited but declined to attend. Following
a presentation of Star Energy’s proposals & implications, speakers
outlined the impact for the ecology, environment and recreational users.
Many were shocked by the revelation that Star Energy plans a two-phase £134
million gas storage facility in the Albury gasfield (see
Presentation and dti
Press Release). Mr Alan Stones from
Surrey CC Planning explained the planning process and answered procedural
queries (see Factsheet). There followed many concerned contributions from
residents, recreational users, equestrian users and walkers.
The chairman closed proceedings with a series of votes, which
demonstrated unanimous objection to the proposals (bar one abstention).
Impromptu donations were gratefully received and will help the campaign
to become formalised.
Star Energy displayed
details of their proposals and representatives were available to field
questions. The meeting was
well-attended throughout the 4 hour duration.
For the majority of people this was their first contact with the company.
Many came with a list of questions and lively discussions ensued.
Representatives from the company reassured the public that there were no
plans beyond the 3 year appraisal period and stated that the expenditure for
this project was no more than £1.25 million.
A number of people were told that the planning application did not
include widening of Sandy Lane, even though this remains part of the current
planning application. The general
feeling was that people left with more questions than answers.
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