Unsuccessful campaign didn't feel fair (From Thurrock Gazette)

Unsuccessful campaign didn't feel fair

12:55pm Wednesday 11th April 2012 in Letters to the Editor

ON April 1 we saw the end of the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, the unelected body that has been responsible for ignoring public opinion and policies concerning the building of housing in Thurrock over the last few years.

This has ultimately led to congestion on Thurrock’s roads and a strain on Thurrock’s infrastructure.

In October 2011, I became involved in the fight to keep Woodview College and stop the building of a new college in the town centre.

At the very least we expected an honest, fair and legal planning process – we were so wrong.

The consultation process was a one-way information session with no real answers and at time a refusal to give information.

On February 6, 2012, a most unfair and undemocratic planning meeting approved the building of the college in the town centre.

At the next planning meeting on March 5, 2012, a more sympathetic attitude Our petition against the plans was prevented from having any effect.

Our councillors raised important issues but we were told there was sufficient education, health and roads in the area to cope with the influx of houses on the old college site.

In May we have to re-elect our councillors. This is the only time true democracy occurs.

I don’t care who you vote for, but we all need to register our willingness to vote.

As a group we worked extremely hard to receive a fair planning process and save the college at Woodview and I’m sorry we were unable to change the outcome. – RAY ABBOTT, Grangewood Avenue, Grays.