The post you are reporting:
Yesterday one of the gentlemen who is fighting hard to save the WHOLE of Western Heights and the AONB designated Arthurian Farthingloe valley from destructive unwanted development paid a visit to the council offices at Whitfield. While there he had a look at the submissions for and against the CGI proposal.
Of note the majority of those who supported the proposal tended to reiterate exactly what each other said. In fact they looked as if they had been copied from the same master copy.
When it came to those who objected ... these were considered, thoughtful and showed that the writers were genuinely concerned.
I say this because Paul, in his posting #1364 complains that I only congratulate 'our' side ... what is congratulate when there is nothing to congratulate?
In another posting #1371, Paul has another 'go' at me ... what have I achieved?
Well we could start with the outcome of the 1992/1993 Inquiry - but that has been rejected by Paul as old hat.
Nonetheless, besides WH being a scheduled Ancient Monument, it is a Conservation Area - a DDC designation with Government ratification - to protect the character and appearance of area. The Planning Inspectorate upholding objections to the Local Plan proposing housing and hotel development on Western Heights, wrote, 'Even if I could be persuaded that some developer could produce an exceptional scheme that would be suitable for the site I would still take the view that the allocation should not be made. I say that because once an allocation is made there is a limit to what a local planning authority can do to maintain special standards. This still holds, regardless what Paul, CGI or others would like to believe.
Then there is the Grand Shaft. CGI-HS p60 state that the Grand Shaft and adjacent site is in ' Poor condition and almost impassable access have however limited public enjoyment of Grand Shaft for many decades.' Following the above Public Inquiry, in 1995, there was a joint venture between DDC and KCC, in which I played a significant role, to build the impressive replica entrance to the Grand Shaft staircase and the refurbishment we see today.
During that time and after, there was the clearing up of the WHOLE of the heights by the WCCP of which I again played a major role ... I have already made these points clear in previous postings. Suffice to say that once I became ill with cancer and the WHPS was set up, my expertise was no longer wanted.
Farthingloe is a different proposition. It is a beautiful, AONB designated Arthurian valley that separates the town of Dover from Capel and Folkestone. Therefore, Capel retains its 'village' status rather than (part) being a suburb of Dover ... and long may that last.
When the sewage works there was planned, along with those who then lived in the valley, the folk of Maxton, CPRE, I participated in the discussions leading to the retaining of the valley's beauty as possible. I still feel as passionate about the valley as I did then.
Lorraine