I saw an interesting film last night. It's called Taking Liberties.
We go about our daily lives and not much big stuff happens, really: and it lulls us into a false sense of security. I don't mean security against crime, or anti-social behaviour - I mean security with regard to the state's intrusion into our private affairs. But, little by little, our civil liberties have been steadily eroded over the last 25-odd years, and when you see it all piled up like in this film, the result is quite shocking.
Here it is:
...or here if you prefer.
Oh yeah: here's IMDB's info on it: although imdb.com lacks a bit of credibility for me, when it's got predigested mush like The Shawshank Redemption at 1# on it's top 250 list.
Saturday 31 January 2009
Friday 30 January 2009
News that gets 'buried'...
Fos some strange reason, this story didn't seem to make the front pages, or BBC Radio news.
Quote:
Huge crowds have taken to the streets in France to protest over the handling of the economic crisis, causing disruption to rail and air services.
Unions said 2.5m workers had rallied to demand action to protect wages and jobs. Police put the total at 1m.
President Nicolas Sarkozy said concerns over the crisis were legitimate and the government had to listen and act.
He will meet union and business leaders next month to discuss what programme of reforms to follow this year, he said.
Overall, the government estimated that a quarter of the country's public sector workers had joined the action, which was called by eight major French unions. The unions put the figure higher.
A spokesman for the CGT union told AFP that 2.5m people across the country had taken part in the day's protests. French police put the number at just over 1m.
At least a million, probably more...and it wasn't given any prominence?
I can just picture them sitting in Davos muttering "shhh
...don't scare the horses".
Quote:
Huge crowds have taken to the streets in France to protest over the handling of the economic crisis, causing disruption to rail and air services.
Unions said 2.5m workers had rallied to demand action to protect wages and jobs. Police put the total at 1m.
President Nicolas Sarkozy said concerns over the crisis were legitimate and the government had to listen and act.
He will meet union and business leaders next month to discuss what programme of reforms to follow this year, he said.
Overall, the government estimated that a quarter of the country's public sector workers had joined the action, which was called by eight major French unions. The unions put the figure higher.
A spokesman for the CGT union told AFP that 2.5m people across the country had taken part in the day's protests. French police put the number at just over 1m.
At least a million, probably more...and it wasn't given any prominence?
I can just picture them sitting in Davos muttering "shhh
...don't scare the horses".
Thursday 29 January 2009
Some credit crunch stuff
I've been interested in how money works for a good while: here are a couple of things which I've found helpful.
Ever wondered where money comes from? The answer's in Paul Grignon's animated film: Money as Debt. Excellent.
The recent credit crunch is explained in this Guardian interactive thingy: Global recession - where did all the money go? This is part of their Road to Ruin series.
Ever wondered where money comes from? The answer's in Paul Grignon's animated film: Money as Debt. Excellent.
The recent credit crunch is explained in this Guardian interactive thingy: Global recession - where did all the money go? This is part of their Road to Ruin series.
Woolworths goes bankrupt, becomes bankrupt country instead...
'Word' on the street is: the now defunct Woolworths shop at the top end of the High Street is to become an Iceland store. [note, later: I've since found the source of this rumour and it could well be untrue]
Iceland sells frozen food, which isn't exactly good for your carbon footprint, or your local farmer. Here's some info:
www.foodcarbon.co.uk/reductions.html
Quote:
Chilled or frozen food require much more energy for storage (and hence a higher carbon footprint). Frozen foods also tend to be stored for longer and so will have accumulated a higher carbon footprint by the time they are consumed. If you are concerned about freshness, try buying local food from farmers markets!
Although not included in the food carbon footprint calculator, carbon may be emitted during transport to and from the supermarket. Try walking or cycling, home delivery has also been shown to result in lower emissions.
OK, kudos to Iceland for removing GM foods from their cabinets (they say), but anyway...freezing, transporting and storing frozen food is energy-intensive and won't exactly help in reducing our energy needs as a society.
So who knows what might happen? Direct action outside Iceland's purported new home in Avalon? Watch this space...
Iceland sells frozen food, which isn't exactly good for your carbon footprint, or your local farmer. Here's some info:
www.foodcarbon.co.uk/reductions.html
Quote:
Chilled or frozen food require much more energy for storage (and hence a higher carbon footprint). Frozen foods also tend to be stored for longer and so will have accumulated a higher carbon footprint by the time they are consumed. If you are concerned about freshness, try buying local food from farmers markets!
Although not included in the food carbon footprint calculator, carbon may be emitted during transport to and from the supermarket. Try walking or cycling, home delivery has also been shown to result in lower emissions.
OK, kudos to Iceland for removing GM foods from their cabinets (they say), but anyway...freezing, transporting and storing frozen food is energy-intensive and won't exactly help in reducing our energy needs as a society.
So who knows what might happen? Direct action outside Iceland's purported new home in Avalon? Watch this space...
Public Meeting: first reaction (Posted on 21/1/2009)
I've just come back from a turbulent and rather messy town council meeting which SWRDA, in the form of Carl Budden, Paul Calvert and James Harper, attended.
My first impression: what a lot of questions! 81 on the sheet the Council had prepared, and 10 more from Paul Lund which had somehow been forgotten in the rush.
The meeting progressed pretty well at first: Rory Weightman, who was spokesperson for the Morlands Crew, submitted the groups views, which predictably suggested that the Red Brick Building be saved and converted to a space for the community with artists studio, facilities for young people, and for the community.
Ted Higgins then spoke of his fears that the whole project would drag on too long and asked who would be paying for any community space. Unfortunately he rather ungraciously let his prejudices slip with regard to the protest group and smeared them, by suggesting that they didn't want to pay for anything, to audible protests from the floor.
Carl Budden went over what he said at last weeks council meeting (see an earlier post for details).
I'll leave this post right here for now: it's late and I'm tired. My thoughts are that the Mayor could have kept the meeting on a shorter leash: while people need to express their feelings, not much was achieved and many, many questions weren't addressed. I asked Paul Lund, founder and director of the Sustainable Environment Company, if any of his questions had been answered: he gave me a one-word answer and I'll leave you to guess what that was.
My first impression: what a lot of questions! 81 on the sheet the Council had prepared, and 10 more from Paul Lund which had somehow been forgotten in the rush.
The meeting progressed pretty well at first: Rory Weightman, who was spokesperson for the Morlands Crew, submitted the groups views, which predictably suggested that the Red Brick Building be saved and converted to a space for the community with artists studio, facilities for young people, and for the community.
Ted Higgins then spoke of his fears that the whole project would drag on too long and asked who would be paying for any community space. Unfortunately he rather ungraciously let his prejudices slip with regard to the protest group and smeared them, by suggesting that they didn't want to pay for anything, to audible protests from the floor.
Carl Budden went over what he said at last weeks council meeting (see an earlier post for details).
I'll leave this post right here for now: it's late and I'm tired. My thoughts are that the Mayor could have kept the meeting on a shorter leash: while people need to express their feelings, not much was achieved and many, many questions weren't addressed. I asked Paul Lund, founder and director of the Sustainable Environment Company, if any of his questions had been answered: he gave me a one-word answer and I'll leave you to guess what that was.
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Preamble to Town Hall meeting
As mentioned earlier, there's a public Town Council meeting in Glastonbury Town Hall about the future of the Morlands site. It was called (by the mayor of Glastonbury) at very short notice, which some suspect was a tactic to wrong-foot the protest group and the people of the town. Only written questions from the public would be allowed. The deadline for questions was very short (5 days). This left the protest group, with whom I have close contacts, very little time to agitate and concoct a strategy, which I'm not alone in suspecting was the general idea.
I was active in formulating and distributing a neutrally-worded leaflet which explained the situation and allowed people to write a question on the reverse.
Anyway, the deadline passed yesterday at noon. That leaves just over 48 hours for the town clerk to look through the submitted questions, chuck out the anonymous/illegible ones, de-duplicate and collate the similar ones (I bet there are quite a few "where's the money gone?" submissions), and then forward them to the relevant parties. It's only right that SWRDA get to see them beforehand and get some time to prepare: there would be little point in letting SWRDA get off the hook by saying "we need time to answer this, we'll get back to you" and all that...
I suspected from the start that the choice of the earliest possible time for a public meeting (council meetings are required by law to be announced publicly a week before they take place) was a risky tactic that could turn round and bite SWRDA on the......rear end: they only have a couple of days at the very most to get their answers sorted out. Lots of questions could be a bit of a problem as mistakes occur when you're in a hurry.
So I bet you're wondering: how many questions are there?
Lots, apparently: I've seen ten separate and detailed questions from one local sustainable development organisation alone. I've heard on the grapevine that there are more than 20 different questions, which is an awful lot for a meeting that begins at 7pm. Somehow I don't think there will be time for questions from the floor.
I love this town. I'll admit that it looks a bit 'different' to the casual observer, but scratch the surface and you'll find lots of really good people and a strong, renascent community. Well done, the people of Glastonbury. We might just wag the dog...
I was active in formulating and distributing a neutrally-worded leaflet which explained the situation and allowed people to write a question on the reverse.
Anyway, the deadline passed yesterday at noon. That leaves just over 48 hours for the town clerk to look through the submitted questions, chuck out the anonymous/illegible ones, de-duplicate and collate the similar ones (I bet there are quite a few "where's the money gone?" submissions), and then forward them to the relevant parties. It's only right that SWRDA get to see them beforehand and get some time to prepare: there would be little point in letting SWRDA get off the hook by saying "we need time to answer this, we'll get back to you" and all that...
I suspected from the start that the choice of the earliest possible time for a public meeting (council meetings are required by law to be announced publicly a week before they take place) was a risky tactic that could turn round and bite SWRDA on the...
So I bet you're wondering: how many questions are there?
Lots, apparently: I've seen ten separate and detailed questions from one local sustainable development organisation alone. I've heard on the grapevine that there are more than 20 different questions, which is an awful lot for a meeting that begins at 7pm. Somehow I don't think there will be time for questions from the floor.
I love this town. I'll admit that it looks a bit 'different' to the casual observer, but scratch the surface and you'll find lots of really good people and a strong, renascent community. Well done, the people of Glastonbury. We might just wag the dog...
Monday 19 January 2009
A comment on no-fee lawyers and health and safety run riot...
Got this from an internet forum. I don't agree with everything - smoking is bad for you, as were lead paint and playground bullies - but whoever wrote it has got a point.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's !
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.
Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops, McDonalds, KFC, Subway or Nandos.
Even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and didn't open on the weekends, somehow we didn't starve to death!
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store and buy Toffees, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum and some firecrackers.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.!
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree houses and dens and played in river beds with matchbox cars.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo Wii, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 999 channels on SKY, no video/dvd films, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no Lawsuits from these accidents.
Only girls had pierced ears!
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
You could only buy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns at Easter time...
We were given air guns and catapults for our 10th birthdays,
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!
Mum didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet!
RUGBY and CRICKET had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! Getting into the team was based on MERIT
Our teachers used to hit us with canes and gym shoes and bullys always ruled the playground at school.
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
Our parents didn't invent stupid names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade' and 'Ridge' and 'Vanilla'
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
And YOU are one of them!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.
And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.
PS -The big type is because your eyes are not too good at your age anymore
Sigh...I suppose I'm going to get some no-win no-feeweasel lawyer on my case now :)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's !
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.
Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops, McDonalds, KFC, Subway or Nandos.
Even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and didn't open on the weekends, somehow we didn't starve to death!
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store and buy Toffees, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum and some firecrackers.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.!
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree houses and dens and played in river beds with matchbox cars.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo Wii, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 999 channels on SKY, no video/dvd films, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no Lawsuits from these accidents.
Only girls had pierced ears!
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
You could only buy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns at Easter time...
We were given air guns and catapults for our 10th birthdays,
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!
Mum didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet!
RUGBY and CRICKET had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! Getting into the team was based on MERIT
Our teachers used to hit us with canes and gym shoes and bullys always ruled the playground at school.
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
Our parents didn't invent stupid names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade' and 'Ridge' and 'Vanilla'
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
And YOU are one of them!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.
And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.
PS -The big type is because your eyes are not too good at your age anymore
Sigh...I suppose I'm going to get some no-win no-fee
Sunday 18 January 2009
Modern Liberty
I don't usually join organisations but I'm joining Modern Liberty. It's about time.
Read this Guardian article to find out more, and check out the British Library's excellent collection of information about the history of the struggle for our liberties.
And remember: the only rights you can count on are the ones you are prepared to fight for and defend.
Read this Guardian article to find out more, and check out the British Library's excellent collection of information about the history of the struggle for our liberties.
And remember: the only rights you can count on are the ones you are prepared to fight for and defend.
Friday 16 January 2009
An almost-poem which isn't really a Morlands thing...almost
... but it started like this on Gwell, a Glastonbury online forum. Anita (Marcella) posted this:
I think this is SUCH a good idea - what about the Morlands site ...?
which isnt zoned for housing - but if a variety of Ecohouses were built as display , that might be possible
All the things we are supposed to be recycling and are carefully seperating - are piling up in warehouses
as pictured on the front page of the Sunday Mail last week
it would be an interesting challenge to see how they could be used for building
[...further down...]
ps - Im working on a design based on a chalet I stayed in when I was in the Pleiades - it is make of spun starshine on a pyramid of dreams
- but pebbledashed with discarded chewing gum to deflect the omega rays - it should be nice and cosy ; )
Later, she also wrote the text below: I like the way it teeters on a fine line between prose and blank verse...
I dont know if it would be allowed to happen
but I know that if it did - it would be a success
because it ticks so many boxes
and would work for different kinds of people
I dont hardly see the TV but last time it was on it was an episode of
Top Gear - with some blokes on teeny motorbikes travelling through Vietnam
and then there was a bit where thy had to construct something to get
to an island
and came up with various contraptions
at the risk of sounding like an old codger
though I dont swear unless I hit myself with a hammer
when i was young we had open plan - flat roofs - weird designs
Now from Wearyall/Wirrall hill looking down - the new house all look
just like the square plastic ones on a Monopoly board
my mum's friend had a bubble car
the roof hinged up and you got into it that way
I would have thought people would have been wafting around in silver
bubbles by now
the Internet has changed many things beyond what we could have imagined
but housing and transport is what we had in the sixties - but worse
and duller and more traffic and people cant even think of what to do
with a mountain of paper
- and Innovation is just that small glossy magazine that falls out
of papers and tells you about another way to heat your slippers or
clean your venetian blinds or repel cats - it is just sad
there has to be some way of enabling the fun and design energy of -
say - Top Gear
without the TrashIt approach
but the possibility that some things sink /fall down/ go mouldy is
part of experimenting
and to know what works and what doesnt
but the imagination and skills are out there ( as go into the Carnival
floats ! and/or the Piltdown festival )
nOT to mention te endless creativity of children which doesnt have
near enough outlets except mischief
and the media enthusiasm for Eco things AND challenges of all sorts
- and the need for somewhere interesting to take the kids in wet
weather and something for them to get involved with - its a a nobrainer
Well, you can look down on Morlands from Wearyall Hill. And it could have been so good...
Many thanks to Anita (Marcella)
I think this is SUCH a good idea - what about the Morlands site ...?
which isnt zoned for housing - but if a variety of Ecohouses were built as display , that might be possible
All the things we are supposed to be recycling and are carefully seperating - are piling up in warehouses
as pictured on the front page of the Sunday Mail last week
it would be an interesting challenge to see how they could be used for building
[...further down...]
ps - Im working on a design based on a chalet I stayed in when I was in the Pleiades - it is make of spun starshine on a pyramid of dreams
- but pebbledashed with discarded chewing gum to deflect the omega rays - it should be nice and cosy ; )
Later, she also wrote the text below: I like the way it teeters on a fine line between prose and blank verse...
I dont know if it would be allowed to happen
but I know that if it did - it would be a success
because it ticks so many boxes
and would work for different kinds of people
I dont hardly see the TV but last time it was on it was an episode of
Top Gear - with some blokes on teeny motorbikes travelling through Vietnam
and then there was a bit where thy had to construct something to get
to an island
and came up with various contraptions
at the risk of sounding like an old codger
though I dont swear unless I hit myself with a hammer
when i was young we had open plan - flat roofs - weird designs
Now from Wearyall/Wirrall hill looking down - the new house all look
just like the square plastic ones on a Monopoly board
my mum's friend had a bubble car
the roof hinged up and you got into it that way
I would have thought people would have been wafting around in silver
bubbles by now
the Internet has changed many things beyond what we could have imagined
but housing and transport is what we had in the sixties - but worse
and duller and more traffic and people cant even think of what to do
with a mountain of paper
- and Innovation is just that small glossy magazine that falls out
of papers and tells you about another way to heat your slippers or
clean your venetian blinds or repel cats - it is just sad
there has to be some way of enabling the fun and design energy of -
say - Top Gear
without the TrashIt approach
but the possibility that some things sink /fall down/ go mouldy is
part of experimenting
and to know what works and what doesnt
but the imagination and skills are out there ( as go into the Carnival
floats ! and/or the Piltdown festival )
nOT to mention te endless creativity of children which doesnt have
near enough outlets except mischief
and the media enthusiasm for Eco things AND challenges of all sorts
- and the need for somewhere interesting to take the kids in wet
weather and something for them to get involved with - its a a nobrainer
Well, you can look down on Morlands from Wearyall Hill. And it could have been so good...
Many thanks to Anita (Marcella)
On the front page of Fosse Way magazine
Fosse Way magazine (free local weekly publication) carried this article on its front page today:
Squatters win stay of execution for derelict factory
January 16 2009
Quote:
PROTESTORS have persuaded developers to hold fire on the demolition of a derelict factory building.
Squatters moved into what is know as the red brick building on the Morlands site between Glastonbury and Street last week after the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) announced plans to demolish it because of safety concerns.
Morlands Crew protest group believes the large building, constructed in the early 1900s, is sound and should not be flattened just to stop break-ins.
Around 15 people from the group accessed the building and refused to leave until the RDA promised to complete a thorough consultation about the viability of the building and its future use.
Protestors have now left the building following a meeting with RDA officials on Monday. As a result, RDA representatives will attend a special meeting of Glastonbury Town Council on Wednesday evening and members of the public are welcome.
Remember this: written questions only for the council meeting! You can find the details of the meeting right here.
Squatters win stay of execution for derelict factory
January 16 2009
Quote:
PROTESTORS have persuaded developers to hold fire on the demolition of a derelict factory building.
Squatters moved into what is know as the red brick building on the Morlands site between Glastonbury and Street last week after the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) announced plans to demolish it because of safety concerns.
Morlands Crew protest group believes the large building, constructed in the early 1900s, is sound and should not be flattened just to stop break-ins.
Around 15 people from the group accessed the building and refused to leave until the RDA promised to complete a thorough consultation about the viability of the building and its future use.
Protestors have now left the building following a meeting with RDA officials on Monday. As a result, RDA representatives will attend a special meeting of Glastonbury Town Council on Wednesday evening and members of the public are welcome.
Remember this: written questions only for the council meeting! You can find the details of the meeting right here.
Thursday 15 January 2009
Central Somerset Gazette report from Council meeting
Some kind soul posted a comment with a link to this article in the Central Somerset Gazette:
Public to have their say on Morlands.
Thanks for the heads-up, whoever you are.
Public to have their say on Morlands.
Thanks for the heads-up, whoever you are.
Not about Morlands but...
... the fashion for not giving out any information is catching on.
Government exempts MPs' expenses from freedom of information.
Note that this story was 'buried' under the Heathrow 3rd Runway decision (cue a groan like Krusty the Clown).
Government exempts MPs' expenses from freedom of information.
Note that this story was 'buried' under the Heathrow 3rd Runway decision (cue a groan like Krusty the Clown).
Protest over, meeting next week...now what?
I'm sure people are out there beavering away, penning their questions for the public meeting on Wednesday Jan 21st at 7pm...so now what?
How about a Flash Mob? Here's an "arty" one:
Greenpeace organised this one: looks a bit boring to me, but lots of red t-shirts...
This one's more fun!
Of course it's been purloined by advertisers. How depressing.
So: how about a flashmob here in Avalon about Morlands? Maybe we could all stuff huge amounts of toilet paper in out ears and not listen to anyone, like the RDA...?
More flashmob stuff at www.flashmob.co.uk. Share and Enjoy :)
How about a Flash Mob? Here's an "arty" one:
Greenpeace organised this one: looks a bit boring to me, but lots of red t-shirts...
This one's more fun!
Of course it's been purloined by advertisers. How depressing.
So: how about a flashmob here in Avalon about Morlands? Maybe we could all stuff huge amounts of toilet paper in out ears and not listen to anyone, like the RDA...?
More flashmob stuff at www.flashmob.co.uk. Share and Enjoy :)
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Wednesday 14 January 2009
Vociferous reaction from local publican
Rik, head honcho at Tor Leisure (which was once the Morlands Social Club) has been following developments at the Morlands site for a number of years. This is an extract of what he had to say - and mind it don't burn yer ears off!
Incompetence?
1) They are paid to secure the site and have done so reasonably well, or are they admitting they have been unable to do that i.e. INCOMPETENT
2) The demonstrators are responsible people well aware of their surroundings, well aware they were under intense media scrutiny, and hardly at all likely to jeopardise their missing a couple of lessons at college let alone their lives.I hope the demostrators respond to the accusation they are completely unable to recognize they are human beings like the rest of us and incapable of crossing the road unaided.
3)What other stories or reports to police etc are there of, as portrayed, hoards of kids being removed from this site. If they say it has happened on many occasions before, where are the recorded incidents and if they continue with that line without justifiable evidence, I would call that INCOMPETENT
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH if they can't even manage a derelict site what sort of confidence can anyone have in their "deals" and development strategy?
An investigation MUST be implemented immediately into the conduct of this entire operation.i.e. what was claimed on the expense account for tonights "special appearance" when will the tap be turned off? We are all going to be paying for Gordo's promises for years, I really object to paying for this lot as well.
SWRDA must be realising that many local people share Rik's views. If they're unaware, I hope they're reading this.
Incompetence?
1) They are paid to secure the site and have done so reasonably well, or are they admitting they have been unable to do that i.e. INCOMPETENT
2) The demonstrators are responsible people well aware of their surroundings, well aware they were under intense media scrutiny, and hardly at all likely to jeopardise their missing a couple of lessons at college let alone their lives.I hope the demostrators respond to the accusation they are completely unable to recognize they are human beings like the rest of us and incapable of crossing the road unaided.
3)What other stories or reports to police etc are there of, as portrayed, hoards of kids being removed from this site. If they say it has happened on many occasions before, where are the recorded incidents and if they continue with that line without justifiable evidence, I would call that INCOMPETENT
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH if they can't even manage a derelict site what sort of confidence can anyone have in their "deals" and development strategy?
An investigation MUST be implemented immediately into the conduct of this entire operation.i.e. what was claimed on the expense account for tonights "special appearance" when will the tap be turned off? We are all going to be paying for Gordo's promises for years, I really object to paying for this lot as well.
SWRDA must be realising that many local people share Rik's views. If they're unaware, I hope they're reading this.
Official Public Meeting info
From the Town Council's website:
Public Meeting On The Morland Enterprise Site
Quoted in full:
An Extraordinary Meeting of the Glastonbury Town Council will be held on Wednesday 21st January 2009 at starting at 7pm in the Main Hall of Glastonbury Town Hall, during which representatives from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) will answer written questions from residents of Glastonbury and generally explain the situation regarding developments on the Morland’s Enterprise Park. For details read more......
The deadline for receipt of written questions is Monday 19th January 2009 midday. All questions must be in writing and accompanied by full name, address and telephone contact details of the author. Anonymous letters will be ignored. You can email your questions to Jane Czornij [ed: Jane Czornij's email address is glastonburytowncouncil@townhall.fsbusiness.co.uk] or address your questions to:
SWRDA
Town Clerk
Town Hall
Magdalene Street
Glastonbury
Somerset BA6 9EL
For the Agenda click here
and here it is:
AGENDA FOR EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
Wednesday 21st January 2009 at the Glastonbury Town Hall
1. Apologies
2. Declarations of interest
3. Mayor’s Announcements and Introductions
4. Statement of Progress on the development of the Morland's Enterprise Park by the SWRDA.
5.SWRDA responses to written questions from residents of Glastonbury.
6. Supplementary questions from members of the Glastonbury Town Council, District Councillors and County Councillor.
7.Summing up by SWRDA.
8. Close of meeting.
MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE COUNCIL HAS A GENERAL DUTY TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING MATTERS IN THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF ITS FUNCTIONS: Equal opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.
So get a move on and get your question in on time!
I wonder what will happen if they have too many questions? Does anyone know about the procedures? Please contact me at rchisnallATgmailDOTcom if you do.
Public Meeting On The Morland Enterprise Site
Quoted in full:
An Extraordinary Meeting of the Glastonbury Town Council will be held on Wednesday 21st January 2009 at starting at 7pm in the Main Hall of Glastonbury Town Hall, during which representatives from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) will answer written questions from residents of Glastonbury and generally explain the situation regarding developments on the Morland’s Enterprise Park. For details read more......
The deadline for receipt of written questions is Monday 19th January 2009 midday. All questions must be in writing and accompanied by full name, address and telephone contact details of the author. Anonymous letters will be ignored. You can email your questions to Jane Czornij [ed: Jane Czornij's email address is glastonburytowncouncil@townhall.fsbusiness.co.uk] or address your questions to:
SWRDA
Town Clerk
Town Hall
Magdalene Street
Glastonbury
Somerset BA6 9EL
For the Agenda click here
and here it is:
AGENDA FOR EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
Wednesday 21st January 2009 at the Glastonbury Town Hall
1. Apologies
2. Declarations of interest
3. Mayor’s Announcements and Introductions
4. Statement of Progress on the development of the Morland's Enterprise Park by the SWRDA.
5.SWRDA responses to written questions from residents of Glastonbury.
6. Supplementary questions from members of the Glastonbury Town Council, District Councillors and County Councillor.
7.Summing up by SWRDA.
8. Close of meeting.
MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE COUNCIL HAS A GENERAL DUTY TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING MATTERS IN THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF ITS FUNCTIONS: Equal opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.
So get a move on and get your question in on time!
I wonder what will happen if they have too many questions? Does anyone know about the procedures? Please contact me at rchisnallATgmailDOTcom if you do.
More from the Central Somerset Gazette
Avalon gateway could make a great statement
January 13 2009
Quote:
As the protesters moved out of the derelict factory, one Glastonbury resident called on the SWRDA to seize the opportunity to use the site to create a spiritual university.
"The Morlands site is the gateway to Avalon," said Bryn Whitcombe.
"This is an excellent opportunity for the SWRDA to create something amazing on that site, rather than just another business park.
"For centuries, Glastonbury has been a centre of pilgrimage for people of all faiths and I would love to see it used to create a space where people of all faiths could come and enrich their souls."
Sounds like an interesting idea, and personally, I like it: but I can't help thinking that a suggestion like that will lead to a 'holy war' which will highlight some of the divisions that, like it or not, already exist in this wonderfully diverse town.
Best of luck to Mr Whitcombe: I think it's about time we moved on from the old entrenched positions and begin to work together for the benefit of the community as a whole. I'm not sure if SWRDA can be reached with a spiritual approach, but if his idea can be an instrument of change, then we'll all benefit.
January 13 2009
Quote:
As the protesters moved out of the derelict factory, one Glastonbury resident called on the SWRDA to seize the opportunity to use the site to create a spiritual university.
"The Morlands site is the gateway to Avalon," said Bryn Whitcombe.
"This is an excellent opportunity for the SWRDA to create something amazing on that site, rather than just another business park.
"For centuries, Glastonbury has been a centre of pilgrimage for people of all faiths and I would love to see it used to create a space where people of all faiths could come and enrich their souls."
Sounds like an interesting idea, and personally, I like it: but I can't help thinking that a suggestion like that will lead to a 'holy war' which will highlight some of the divisions that, like it or not, already exist in this wonderfully diverse town.
Best of luck to Mr Whitcombe: I think it's about time we moved on from the old entrenched positions and begin to work together for the benefit of the community as a whole. I'm not sure if SWRDA can be reached with a spiritual approach, but if his idea can be an instrument of change, then we'll all benefit.
Politics, like comedy, is about timing...but less funny
I mentioned the timing of the Extraordinary Council Meeting-cum-Public Meeting in the previous post: the timing is interesting.
Here's why:
» It's very soon. This puts the local community on the back foot, as we don't have hordes of paid minions to do our bidding like the RDA.
» It's either very inconvenient or very convenient with regard to the local newspaper, the Central Somerset Gazette. They have deadlines as follows (thanks to the CSG for this info):
[deadline for] What's On is 9am on Tuesday and the deadline for news is 12 noon on Tuesday.
News that comes in on Tuesday is likely to be held over until the following week if it is not date sensitive, as by this time the reporter will have the whole paper planned. It is therefore often much better to get it in by Monday, or earlier if possible.
So...a meeting on a wednesday won't make the local rag until the week after, at which point it's no doubt lost some of it's news value.
I think it's likely that the RDA will get a sound spanking at this meeting, which IMAO they thoroughly deserve. Keeping it out of the local news will allow their backsides to cool off and save a few red faces too, I bet.
And this begs the question: who scheduled the meeting? Answers on a postcard please :)
ps: The CSG carried the following headline on an article yesterday: Mission accomplished for Morland site protesters?
It's not accomplished: far from it, it's only just started...
Here's why:
» It's very soon. This puts the local community on the back foot, as we don't have hordes of paid minions to do our bidding like the RDA.
» It's either very inconvenient or very convenient with regard to the local newspaper, the Central Somerset Gazette. They have deadlines as follows (thanks to the CSG for this info):
[deadline for] What's On is 9am on Tuesday and the deadline for news is 12 noon on Tuesday.
News that comes in on Tuesday is likely to be held over until the following week if it is not date sensitive, as by this time the reporter will have the whole paper planned. It is therefore often much better to get it in by Monday, or earlier if possible.
So...a meeting on a wednesday won't make the local rag until the week after, at which point it's no doubt lost some of it's news value.
I think it's likely that the RDA will get a sound spanking at this meeting, which IMAO they thoroughly deserve. Keeping it out of the local news will allow their backsides to cool off and save a few red faces too, I bet.
And this begs the question: who scheduled the meeting? Answers on a postcard please :)
ps: The CSG carried the following headline on an article yesterday: Mission accomplished for Morland site protesters?
It's not accomplished: far from it, it's only just started...
Tuesday 13 January 2009
So what really happened at tonight's council meeting?
I've been pondering tonight's council meeting. I don't know if you can catch cynicism from being around politicians but I've been taking a cynical look and trying not to become a cynic, if you get my drift. The devil's in the detail.
The first bit of (possibly) dodgy dealing was in the formulation of the reason for the public meeting. Somehow point #14 on the agenda referred to "the situation regarding the red brick building" and not the whole site, as agreed at the meeting of Jan 13th. Check the video clips and press releases elsewhere on this blog if you're in doubt. Hazel Pegg noted this discrepancy and luckily it was cleared up: I would like to think it was a misunderstanding and not the work of a double agent in the council who's trying to play both sides against the middle. Check out Hanlon's Razor for an explanation, perhaps.
The Mayor kindly bumped agenda point #14 to the top of the list...so here we went.
Carl Budden, who takes care of regeneration for SWRDA in Somerset, spoke at length to the meeting. He had a few points to make after a bit of grovelling about SWRDAs failure to communicate and the mistrust it had fostered in the local community. They've decided to fix that, mostly by holding quarterly meetings with a revised executive group. Wait and see.
He also spoke about a closer liaisons with the Central Somerset Gazette. I wonder if they'll start buying loads of advertising space? I'll get back to the Gazette later.
Avalon Plastics, whose present factory adjoins the site, and who applied to build a factory on the site and were refused by the RDA, will soon be exchanging contracts with SWRDA. I'm not 100% sure but the word is that Avalon Plastics, after being snubbed by SWRDA, went through the normal planning process and effectively twisted SWRDA's arm...I'll have to check that out. Anyway, they're all best mates now and we should all buy SWRDA a drink or what?
The redbrick cottages (by The Beckery - not the Red Brick Buildings) will be transferred to Mendip Housing, but the original contractor has gone bust. They'll soon be appointing a new contractor - which I hope will be a local firm.
Developer Urban Splash are having difficulties, it seems (see earlier post). They're still involved with about 80,000 ft2 in the Baily and Bauhaus buildings but they still want to proceed.
The other developer, Priority Sites, are still involved but...you guessed it, are getting credit crunched. Maybe they can start work in May or June 2009. To quote a Danish wag: "It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future."
Strode College were mentioned by the dapper Mr Budden who was chatty and relaxed...most of the time. Something about a skills and training centre was mentioned and the soon-to-be-rebuilt-after-an-oh-so-embarrassing-demolition Skate Park will be transferred to Mendip District Council so the RDA don't get sued for the inevitable broken heads and elbows. Just kidding. I used to ride a skateboard when I was 17 and it's great fun. The skaters will no doubt use the youth centre that will be built in the lovely refurbished Red Brick Building that I can see in my dreams.
Oh dear, Mr Budden, you were doing so well until you started explaining about why the Red Brick Building needs to be demolished. OK, it's a bit run down. Yes, the laws of gravity still apply so the kids who've been using it for a couple of years can fall over and hurt their poor widdle knees and they might cwy...
But honestly: lose their lives was laying it on a bit thick mate. You can lose your life crossing a busy road but people have the good sense to stay on the pavement! Get real.
So UrbanCrash Splash say it's too expensive to renovate them. How can we trust your words when you haven't published the engineer's reports - if they exist - and the sums too? You've admitted responsibility for SWRDAs lack of communication and now I challenge you, on behalf of the people of this wonderful town: publish the engineer's documents and the financial projections so we can all see if SWRDA speak with forked tongue.
Just to remind you, dear reader: the now-averted demolition was announced on December 23rd 2008, to start on January 5th 2009. To make things worse, the bloke at SWRDA who could respond to enquiries was on leave...until January 5th.
Mr Budden insisted that the slightly dubious timing was due to "practicality". I know there's been a flu bug going round but at that point I swear there's a lot of coughing on my recording. I almost wrote "please don't urinate down our backs and then tell us it's raining" but that would be a bit strong...
The calm, measured, chatty Mr Budden sat down again, and a councillor (Ian Tucker, I believe [correction: it was Mike Free]) stood up almost straight away. Was the public going to have the right to speak, he asked. No, said the Mayor. Then it's not a public meeting, said Cllr Free. They can speak at my discretion, said Mayor.
At this, Mr Budden's leg started twitching and he bounced up and down in his seat a bit as he explained what an awful free-for-all such a meeting would be, it would descend into chaos, and we'd all become flesh-eating zombies that would devour babies and small furry animals..ok, I made the last bit up. Mr Budden does not want questions from the floor. Mr Mayor might allow them...although nothing on my recording shows The Mayor retracting his statement. Wait and see.
So we're going to have a public meeting in a hurry. Never mind that we've got very little time for questions. Never mind that it's on a Wednesday and will probably miss the deadline for the next day's Central Somerset Gazette (yeah, we noticed that). Never mind that it's still a tad unclear whether there will be questions from the floor...and tuff luck, SWRDA, if there are.
It's about time someone asked where the 19 million quid went, and if we're ever going to see if the community benefits from it. We owe it to the people who raised the alarm and froze their teenage arses off to make the point which so many people in the town have been thinking, and grumbling, about: the Morlands site belongs to the townspeople and we deserve to have our say in its future.
The first bit of (possibly) dodgy dealing was in the formulation of the reason for the public meeting. Somehow point #14 on the agenda referred to "the situation regarding the red brick building" and not the whole site, as agreed at the meeting of Jan 13th. Check the video clips and press releases elsewhere on this blog if you're in doubt. Hazel Pegg noted this discrepancy and luckily it was cleared up: I would like to think it was a misunderstanding and not the work of a double agent in the council who's trying to play both sides against the middle. Check out Hanlon's Razor for an explanation, perhaps.
The Mayor kindly bumped agenda point #14 to the top of the list...so here we went.
Carl Budden, who takes care of regeneration for SWRDA in Somerset, spoke at length to the meeting. He had a few points to make after a bit of grovelling about SWRDAs failure to communicate and the mistrust it had fostered in the local community. They've decided to fix that, mostly by holding quarterly meetings with a revised executive group. Wait and see.
He also spoke about a closer liaisons with the Central Somerset Gazette. I wonder if they'll start buying loads of advertising space? I'll get back to the Gazette later.
Avalon Plastics, whose present factory adjoins the site, and who applied to build a factory on the site and were refused by the RDA, will soon be exchanging contracts with SWRDA. I'm not 100% sure but the word is that Avalon Plastics, after being snubbed by SWRDA, went through the normal planning process and effectively twisted SWRDA's arm...I'll have to check that out. Anyway, they're all best mates now and we should all buy SWRDA a drink or what?
The redbrick cottages (by The Beckery - not the Red Brick Buildings) will be transferred to Mendip Housing, but the original contractor has gone bust. They'll soon be appointing a new contractor - which I hope will be a local firm.
Developer Urban Splash are having difficulties, it seems (see earlier post). They're still involved with about 80,000 ft2 in the Baily and Bauhaus buildings but they still want to proceed.
The other developer, Priority Sites, are still involved but...you guessed it, are getting credit crunched. Maybe they can start work in May or June 2009. To quote a Danish wag: "It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future."
Strode College were mentioned by the dapper Mr Budden who was chatty and relaxed...most of the time. Something about a skills and training centre was mentioned and the soon-to-be-rebuilt-after-an-oh-so-embarrassing-demolition Skate Park will be transferred to Mendip District Council so the RDA don't get sued for the inevitable broken heads and elbows. Just kidding. I used to ride a skateboard when I was 17 and it's great fun. The skaters will no doubt use the youth centre that will be built in the lovely refurbished Red Brick Building that I can see in my dreams.
Oh dear, Mr Budden, you were doing so well until you started explaining about why the Red Brick Building needs to be demolished. OK, it's a bit run down. Yes, the laws of gravity still apply so the kids who've been using it for a couple of years can fall over and hurt their poor widdle knees and they might cwy...
But honestly: lose their lives was laying it on a bit thick mate. You can lose your life crossing a busy road but people have the good sense to stay on the pavement! Get real.
So Urban
Just to remind you, dear reader: the now-averted demolition was announced on December 23rd 2008, to start on January 5th 2009. To make things worse, the bloke at SWRDA who could respond to enquiries was on leave...until January 5th.
Mr Budden insisted that the slightly dubious timing was due to "practicality". I know there's been a flu bug going round but at that point I swear there's a lot of coughing on my recording. I almost wrote "please don't urinate down our backs and then tell us it's raining" but that would be a bit strong...
The calm, measured, chatty Mr Budden sat down again, and a councillor (Ian Tucker, I believe [correction: it was Mike Free]) stood up almost straight away. Was the public going to have the right to speak, he asked. No, said the Mayor. Then it's not a public meeting, said Cllr Free. They can speak at my discretion, said Mayor.
At this, Mr Budden's leg started twitching and he bounced up and down in his seat a bit as he explained what an awful free-for-all such a meeting would be, it would descend into chaos, and we'd all become flesh-eating zombies that would devour babies and small furry animals..ok, I made the last bit up. Mr Budden does not want questions from the floor. Mr Mayor might allow them...although nothing on my recording shows The Mayor retracting his statement. Wait and see.
So we're going to have a public meeting in a hurry. Never mind that we've got very little time for questions. Never mind that it's on a Wednesday and will probably miss the deadline for the next day's Central Somerset Gazette (yeah, we noticed that). Never mind that it's still a tad unclear whether there will be questions from the floor...and tuff luck, SWRDA, if there are.
It's about time someone asked where the 19 million quid went, and if we're ever going to see if the community benefits from it. We owe it to the people who raised the alarm and froze their teenage arses off to make the point which so many people in the town have been thinking, and grumbling, about: the Morlands site belongs to the townspeople and we deserve to have our say in its future.
Alan Gloak clears a few things up
Posted on Gwell, a Glastonbury online slanging match discussion forum:
At the Town Council meeting on the 13th of January, two points were made by the SWRDA which I wish to refute.
1. That there is a regular meeting between the SWRDA and the County Council. By implication it may have seemed to those present that I was a member of the group, may I through your letter page make it clear that I AM NOT a member of this group.
2. The SWRDA inferred that the Red Brick building was in a perilous state and needed to be demolished. Not True. I visited this building on Sunday the 11th, the building is in the state you would expect any building which had no attention paid to it for 20 odd years, broken windows, tiles off the roof in parts all which can be replaced and repaired. Result a weather proof building which then is ready for refurbishment. This work can be carried out by local firms who would be pleased of the work. The cottages in Beckery are now to be handed to Mendip Housing for refurbishment, major work will be required on these. I urge the SWRDA and Mendip Housing to ensure that this work is undertaken by local i.e. Glastonbury, firms to not let the opportunity of support for local companies go.
At the Town Council meeting on the 13th of January, two points were made by the SWRDA which I wish to refute.
1. That there is a regular meeting between the SWRDA and the County Council. By implication it may have seemed to those present that I was a member of the group, may I through your letter page make it clear that I AM NOT a member of this group.
2. The SWRDA inferred that the Red Brick building was in a perilous state and needed to be demolished. Not True. I visited this building on Sunday the 11th, the building is in the state you would expect any building which had no attention paid to it for 20 odd years, broken windows, tiles off the roof in parts all which can be replaced and repaired. Result a weather proof building which then is ready for refurbishment. This work can be carried out by local firms who would be pleased of the work. The cottages in Beckery are now to be handed to Mendip Housing for refurbishment, major work will be required on these. I urge the SWRDA and Mendip Housing to ensure that this work is undertaken by local i.e. Glastonbury, firms to not let the opportunity of support for local companies go.
Glastonbury Town Council agrees to public meeting about Morlands site
Glastonbury Town Council have today agreed to hold a public meeting - in reality an extraordinary council meeting - which representatives from SWRDA will attend, in order to discuss the future of the Morlands site. The meeting will be held on Wednesday January 21st at 7pm in the Town Hall.
Written questions from the public will be allowed: deadline for delivery is January 19th. Questions are to be delivered to the Town Clerk whose office at the Town Hall is open between 10am and noon, Monday - Friday. Questions can also be sent via email to glastonburytowncouncil@townhall.fsbusiness.co.uk
It wasn't entirely clear, but questions from the floor may be allowed at the Mayor's discretion.
More to come later after I've listened to the recording I made of the discussion.
Written questions from the public will be allowed: deadline for delivery is January 19th. Questions are to be delivered to the Town Clerk whose office at the Town Hall is open between 10am and noon, Monday - Friday. Questions can also be sent via email to glastonburytowncouncil@townhall.fsbusiness.co.uk
It wasn't entirely clear, but questions from the floor may be allowed at the Mayor's discretion.
More to come later after I've listened to the recording I made of the discussion.
More press coverage
I thought this blogger's life would get easier after the protest ended, but no: if anything, there's more to report.
Western Daily Press:
Protesters win reprieve for historic Glastonbury industrial building
January 12 2009
Quote:
"Sit-in protesters are packing up their sleeping bags and moving out of a crumbling factory after people power won an historic industrial site a stay of execution.
Campaigners against the demolition of Morlands in Glastonbury hailed a last-minute meeting with the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) a victory for everyone involved after the Government body agreed to hold back bulldozers until a public meeting is organised to discuss the future of the brownfield site and local landmark.
Protesters moved in to protect their industrial heritage after planners decided they could not afford to convert the iconic site and would demolish it.
But the RDA has opted to hold fire on its unpopular plans after talking to campaigners yesterday.
It will now hold an open meeting, in conjunction with Glastonbury Town Council, to allow the community and civic leaders to have their say on how they want the site to be used."
Western Daily Press:
Protesters win reprieve for historic Glastonbury industrial building
January 12 2009
Quote:
"Sit-in protesters are packing up their sleeping bags and moving out of a crumbling factory after people power won an historic industrial site a stay of execution.
Campaigners against the demolition of Morlands in Glastonbury hailed a last-minute meeting with the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) a victory for everyone involved after the Government body agreed to hold back bulldozers until a public meeting is organised to discuss the future of the brownfield site and local landmark.
Protesters moved in to protect their industrial heritage after planners decided they could not afford to convert the iconic site and would demolish it.
But the RDA has opted to hold fire on its unpopular plans after talking to campaigners yesterday.
It will now hold an open meeting, in conjunction with Glastonbury Town Council, to allow the community and civic leaders to have their say on how they want the site to be used."
It started with a Google search...
for David Heathcote-Amory (our local MP, Tory) which yielded some interesting links:
The Guardian's "Ask Aristotle", likewise his registered interests (property, hotels, agricultural machinery).
I suppose the guy's got to make a living somehow...even though he gets paid well as an MP.
Here's his Wikipedia page.
He's got a website: www.davidheathcoatamory.co.uk where you can search his press releases...which I did for the term "Morlands":
Feb 2007: MP Queries Regional Development Agency’s Claim to Support Local Enterprise
Dec 2005: MP continues fight to give Morlands back to local people
Nov 2005: MP Slams RDA Decision To Exclude Avalon Plastics From Morlands Park
He's not happy with what's going on at Morlands either.
He also said this today (via email):
Thank you for your email about the Morlands site. I am still awaiting a response from the National Audit office about whether they
will investigate this site. I am keeping a very close eye on developments but do not plan to visit the site again the in the near future.
David Heathcoat-Amory
The best bit: along the way, I stumbled upon 3 excellent websites:
TheyWorkForYou.com, HearFromYourMP.com, and FixMyStreet.com. No, I'm not going to tell you what you can do on them so you're going to have to visit the sites yourself :)
They're all run by MySociety.org, who have several other projects too. They left me thinking "Now why didn't I think of that?". Good stuff!
The Guardian's "Ask Aristotle", likewise his registered interests (property, hotels, agricultural machinery).
I suppose the guy's got to make a living somehow...even though he gets paid well as an MP.
Here's his Wikipedia page.
He's got a website: www.davidheathcoatamory.co.uk where you can search his press releases...which I did for the term "Morlands":
Feb 2007: MP Queries Regional Development Agency’s Claim to Support Local Enterprise
Dec 2005: MP continues fight to give Morlands back to local people
Nov 2005: MP Slams RDA Decision To Exclude Avalon Plastics From Morlands Park
He's not happy with what's going on at Morlands either.
He also said this today (via email):
Thank you for your email about the Morlands site. I am still awaiting a response from the National Audit office about whether they
will investigate this site. I am keeping a very close eye on developments but do not plan to visit the site again the in the near future.
David Heathcoat-Amory
The best bit: along the way, I stumbled upon 3 excellent websites:
TheyWorkForYou.com, HearFromYourMP.com, and FixMyStreet.com. No, I'm not going to tell you what you can do on them so you're going to have to visit the sites yourself :)
They're all run by MySociety.org, who have several other projects too. They left me thinking "Now why didn't I think of that?". Good stuff!
SWRDA in the news
SWRDA is also in the news and it's not all Shiny Happy People either.
Dunno how I missed this one before now but here you go:
Development agency 'wasted cash courting political support'
December 29 2008
Quote:
"SOUTH West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) bosses have been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money at this year’s party political conferences.
According to the Taxpayers’ Alliance, the agency spent £53,149 attending Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative conferences.
Research carried out by the alliance found that over the three main party conferences, the country’s nine RDAs spent more than £285,000 on hotel rooms, reimbursing staff for expenses and buying security passes.
The alliance said the RDAs also paid for “expensive events in an attempt to attract political support”."
Maybe if they spent more time and energy talking to local people then they wouldn't get into that kind of trouble. It's our money they're spending.
It looks like they've got their hands on £1bn too:
Firms in line for share of £1bn 'rescue' fund
January 12 2009
Quote:
"SMALL Westcountry businesses could be thrown a lifeline this week if the Government announces details of a £1 billion industry "rescue" fund.
Sources suggest Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is shortly to make clear how struggling firms can borrow between £1,000 and £1 million through the Small Business Finance Scheme, and details of the cash available could be made public this week.
While the fund will be open to businesses across the UK, it seems likely the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) will play a central role in attempting to administer the money to Devon and Cornwall businesses.
The idea of the scheme, announced in November's pre-Budget report, is to offer working capital to solid firms struggling to borrow money in the credit squeeze."
Now that's nice. SWRDA gets a huge pot of money to help...who? Dare I suggest that Urban Splash and Priority Sites might get some dosh? Simon Fairlie mentioned something about "cronies in the construction industry," didn't he?
Let's hope they don't spend it on party conference lobbying and press junkets.
Anyway, if I spend £19m of public money for little result, do I get to meet The Queen?
Region's finest recognised for their service
December 31 2008
Quote:
"In the world of business, Nick Buckland, the deputy chief executive of the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) was awarded the OBE for serves [sic] to technology and innovation."
Maybe they should award gongs for autocracy and unnecessary demolition.
Dunno how I missed this one before now but here you go:
Development agency 'wasted cash courting political support'
December 29 2008
Quote:
"SOUTH West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) bosses have been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money at this year’s party political conferences.
According to the Taxpayers’ Alliance, the agency spent £53,149 attending Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative conferences.
Research carried out by the alliance found that over the three main party conferences, the country’s nine RDAs spent more than £285,000 on hotel rooms, reimbursing staff for expenses and buying security passes.
The alliance said the RDAs also paid for “expensive events in an attempt to attract political support”."
Maybe if they spent more time and energy talking to local people then they wouldn't get into that kind of trouble. It's our money they're spending.
It looks like they've got their hands on £1bn too:
Firms in line for share of £1bn 'rescue' fund
January 12 2009
Quote:
"SMALL Westcountry businesses could be thrown a lifeline this week if the Government announces details of a £1 billion industry "rescue" fund.
Sources suggest Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is shortly to make clear how struggling firms can borrow between £1,000 and £1 million through the Small Business Finance Scheme, and details of the cash available could be made public this week.
While the fund will be open to businesses across the UK, it seems likely the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) will play a central role in attempting to administer the money to Devon and Cornwall businesses.
The idea of the scheme, announced in November's pre-Budget report, is to offer working capital to solid firms struggling to borrow money in the credit squeeze."
Now that's nice. SWRDA gets a huge pot of money to help...who? Dare I suggest that Urban Splash and Priority Sites might get some dosh? Simon Fairlie mentioned something about "cronies in the construction industry," didn't he?
Let's hope they don't spend it on party conference lobbying and press junkets.
Anyway, if I spend £19m of public money for little result, do I get to meet The Queen?
Region's finest recognised for their service
December 31 2008
Quote:
"In the world of business, Nick Buckland, the deputy chief executive of the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) was awarded the OBE for serves [sic] to technology and innovation."
Maybe they should award gongs for autocracy and unnecessary demolition.
Morlands in the news - again
More news around and about: it's mainly from newsfeeds and 'the wires' (press agency info for journalists) so there's hardly any new info. However, it's interesting to see the breadth of coverage.
- Northern Ireland:
Agency To Meet Glastonbury Protesters
Agency And Protesters At Morlands Agree 'Way Forward'
- Auntie Beeb:
Plan for talks over protest row
Group agrees to vacate building
Worthing Herald
Protesters to leave derelict factory
Not much news for readers of this blog but perhaps surprising that this very small protest has generated interest around and about.
- Northern Ireland:
Agency To Meet Glastonbury Protesters
Agency And Protesters At Morlands Agree 'Way Forward'
- Auntie Beeb:
Plan for talks over protest row
Group agrees to vacate building
Worthing Herald
Protesters to leave derelict factory
Not much news for readers of this blog but perhaps surprising that this very small protest has generated interest around and about.
The Master Plan - lighthearted post
Here's a question: How on earth did we get to the point where an organisation like the SWRDA can dilute the 'democratic' process and ignore local opinion? I might have an answer:
The Plan
In the beginning was the Plan.
And then came the Assumptions.
And the Assumptions were without form.
And darkness was upon the face of the Citizens.
And they spoke among themselves, saying, "It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh."
And the citizens went unto their Councillors and said, "It is a pail of dung, and none may abide the odour thereof."
And the Councillors went unto their District Councillors, saying, "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it."
And the District Councillors went unto their County Councillors, saying, "It is a vessel of fertiliser, and none may abide its strength."
And the County Councillors spoke amongst themselves, saying one to another, "It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong."
And the County Councillors then went onto the Members of Parliament, saying unto them, "It promotes growth and is very powerful."
And the Members of Parliament went unto the House of Commons, saying unto it, "This new plan will actively promote the growth and vigour of the nation; with powerful effects."
And the House of Commons looked upon the Plan, and saw that it was good.
And the Plan became Policy.
Of course something like the above could never happen in real life!
The Plan
In the beginning was the Plan.
And then came the Assumptions.
And the Assumptions were without form.
And darkness was upon the face of the Citizens.
And they spoke among themselves, saying, "It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh."
And the citizens went unto their Councillors and said, "It is a pail of dung, and none may abide the odour thereof."
And the Councillors went unto their District Councillors, saying, "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it."
And the District Councillors went unto their County Councillors, saying, "It is a vessel of fertiliser, and none may abide its strength."
And the County Councillors spoke amongst themselves, saying one to another, "It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong."
And the County Councillors then went onto the Members of Parliament, saying unto them, "It promotes growth and is very powerful."
And the Members of Parliament went unto the House of Commons, saying unto it, "This new plan will actively promote the growth and vigour of the nation; with powerful effects."
And the House of Commons looked upon the Plan, and saw that it was good.
And the Plan became Policy.
Of course something like the above could never happen in real life!
You can ask Mendip District Council about Morlands
From Mendip District Council's website:
Question Time in Mendip
Residents of Mendip will have the opportunity to question leading
local politicians face to face in a special event taking place at
Mendip District Council offices in Shepton Mallet on 14 January from
6pm to 8pm.
Top representatives from Somerset County Council and Mendip District
Council will form a joint panel at a "Question Time" style event,
where people can ask questions about any of the services they provide,
including: adult care, recycling, education, housing, public
transport, planning, leisure, highways, waste collection and disposal,
recreation and community facilities, benefits, and community safety.
Somerset County Council's Executive Board meeting is also taking place
at 2pm on 14 January in the same venue.
Councillor Harvey Siggs, Leader of Mendip District Council, commented:
"It's important that residents across Mendip have the opportunity to
question those who they elected to work within their communities. The
district and county councils provide a wide array of services and it
would be encouraging to see plenty of people taking part in this event
and showing their interest in the work of local authorities in
Somerset.
"There is often confusion about who delivers what services in the
county, but that is not always important to residents. However, what
is important is that they have the chance to question those who they
elected to represent them regardless of the service that's offered or
the council that they belong to."
Councillor Jill Shortland, Leader of Somerset County Council, said:
"This evening event will be a great opportunity for people in Mendip
to ask questions about the issues that concern them. I'm certain there
will be plenty to discuss and this event shows that both councils are
serious about listening to local people and improving all the services
that we deliver."
For information on how to submit a question, or for further details,
go to www.somerset.gov.uk or contact Scott Wooldridge, Community
Governance, Somerset County Council, 01823 356748 or
swooldridge@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticle.asp?id=SX9452-A782A434.
To my knowledge, none of our local councillors have spoken out about the Morlands site recently.
Question Time in Mendip
Residents of Mendip will have the opportunity to question leading
local politicians face to face in a special event taking place at
Mendip District Council offices in Shepton Mallet on 14 January from
6pm to 8pm.
Top representatives from Somerset County Council and Mendip District
Council will form a joint panel at a "Question Time" style event,
where people can ask questions about any of the services they provide,
including: adult care, recycling, education, housing, public
transport, planning, leisure, highways, waste collection and disposal,
recreation and community facilities, benefits, and community safety.
Somerset County Council's Executive Board meeting is also taking place
at 2pm on 14 January in the same venue.
Councillor Harvey Siggs, Leader of Mendip District Council, commented:
"It's important that residents across Mendip have the opportunity to
question those who they elected to work within their communities. The
district and county councils provide a wide array of services and it
would be encouraging to see plenty of people taking part in this event
and showing their interest in the work of local authorities in
Somerset.
"There is often confusion about who delivers what services in the
county, but that is not always important to residents. However, what
is important is that they have the chance to question those who they
elected to represent them regardless of the service that's offered or
the council that they belong to."
Councillor Jill Shortland, Leader of Somerset County Council, said:
"This evening event will be a great opportunity for people in Mendip
to ask questions about the issues that concern them. I'm certain there
will be plenty to discuss and this event shows that both councils are
serious about listening to local people and improving all the services
that we deliver."
For information on how to submit a question, or for further details,
go to www.somerset.gov.uk or contact Scott Wooldridge, Community
Governance, Somerset County Council, 01823 356748 or
swooldridge@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticle.asp?id=SX9452-A782A434.
To my knowledge, none of our local councillors have spoken out about the Morlands site recently.
Monday 12 January 2009
Phew!
I'm guessing you can see from the latest posts that the crisis has been averted. It's been a busy week for all of us: not least for barefootreporter. 45 posts of this nature in a week is pretty heavy going and I'm knackered.
The next few weeks will be about consolidating the progress that's been made: I'd like to help this process. There will be less news to report, but that means a chance to take a deeper look at what's gone before and what might come. The Morlands Crew will no doubt be making a proposal regarding the future use of the red brick building. I'd like to look into the history of Morlands as a whole: look forward to some interviews with people who worked there.
So here's a call for assistance. If you know anything about the Morlands site and its history, or have any visions for what might happen here in future, and would like to comment, please feel free to contact me here: rchisnallATgmailDOTcom.
Have fun! I'm off to get some rest.
barefootreporter
The next few weeks will be about consolidating the progress that's been made: I'd like to help this process. There will be less news to report, but that means a chance to take a deeper look at what's gone before and what might come. The Morlands Crew will no doubt be making a proposal regarding the future use of the red brick building. I'd like to look into the history of Morlands as a whole: look forward to some interviews with people who worked there.
So here's a call for assistance. If you know anything about the Morlands site and its history, or have any visions for what might happen here in future, and would like to comment, please feel free to contact me here: rchisnallATgmailDOTcom.
Have fun! I'm off to get some rest.
barefootreporter
Rory Weightman and Anna Pegg talk about the meeting with SWRDA
The cow noises towards the end are Rory's phone :)
Sorry about the background noise. Folks were really pleased about how the meeting went!
Sorry about the background noise. Folks were really pleased about how the meeting went!
Interview with James Harper, Head of Communications for SWRDA
This chap is SWRDAs Head of Communications. I'm assuming this is a relatively new post...?
That sounds all fine and dandy. I hope it's not just talk.
(Oh dear. Maybe I am getting a bit cynical...)
That sounds all fine and dandy. I hope it's not just talk.
(Oh dear. Maybe I am getting a bit cynical...)
SWRDA press release
This is SWRDA's press release from today, Jan 12 2009
South West RDA and protestors at Morlands agree way forward
Protestors occupying a dangerous derelict building on the Morlands site in Glastonbury have agreed to leave the building by midday tomorrow (Tuesday, January 13) following a private meeting with the South West RDA today (Monday, January 12).
At the meeting, the RDA, which owns the site, reiterated its commitment to attend a Glastonbury Town Council meeting to give a public update on Morlands and discuss future prospects for the site as a whole.
The Mayor of Glastonbury, Tom Billing, is arranging a time and date for this to be held but it is likely to be in the next few weeks.
The RDA has also agreed to defer demolition of the red brick building until the council meeting and to give the protestors two weeks notice if demolition is to go ahead.
Carl Budden, head of regeneration at the South West RDA, said: “Today’s meeting went well. We have listened to their concerns and are pleased that the protestors have agreed to leave the red brick building.
"However, this is a dangerous building which poses a serious risk to members of the public so the two-week notice period is conditional on there being no further occupation of the building."
The protestors also put forward ideas about how the building could be used and the RDA has agreed to talk to Urban Splash about how these ideas could be taken forward. The red brick building sits on the land that is to be developed by Urban Splash.
Mr Budden continued: "We have explained the importance of keeping the building secure and the protestors have agreed to work with us to discourage trespassing at the site."
"We are pleased to have come to an amicable agreement and hope the protestors feel their concerns have been listened to and acted on."
South West RDA and protestors at Morlands agree way forward
Protestors occupying a dangerous derelict building on the Morlands site in Glastonbury have agreed to leave the building by midday tomorrow (Tuesday, January 13) following a private meeting with the South West RDA today (Monday, January 12).
At the meeting, the RDA, which owns the site, reiterated its commitment to attend a Glastonbury Town Council meeting to give a public update on Morlands and discuss future prospects for the site as a whole.
The Mayor of Glastonbury, Tom Billing, is arranging a time and date for this to be held but it is likely to be in the next few weeks.
The RDA has also agreed to defer demolition of the red brick building until the council meeting and to give the protestors two weeks notice if demolition is to go ahead.
Carl Budden, head of regeneration at the South West RDA, said: “Today’s meeting went well. We have listened to their concerns and are pleased that the protestors have agreed to leave the red brick building.
"However, this is a dangerous building which poses a serious risk to members of the public so the two-week notice period is conditional on there being no further occupation of the building."
The protestors also put forward ideas about how the building could be used and the RDA has agreed to talk to Urban Splash about how these ideas could be taken forward. The red brick building sits on the land that is to be developed by Urban Splash.
Mr Budden continued: "We have explained the importance of keeping the building secure and the protestors have agreed to work with us to discourage trespassing at the site."
"We are pleased to have come to an amicable agreement and hope the protestors feel their concerns have been listened to and acted on."
Post-meeting press release from the Morlands Crew
The Morlands Crew's latest press release:
PRESS RELEASE - MORLANDS PROTEST
12/01/09
This morning the protestors on the Morlands site met with the SWRDA and the Mayor of Glastonbury. A constructive discussion took place and the following has been agreed:
The Mayor offered to convene an extra-ordinary meeting of the Town Council with Morlands as the sole agenda item and the SWRDA have agreed to attend and to respond to written questions from the public. This meeting is expected to take place within the next two weeks and members of the public will be able to attend. The SWRDA agreed that no demolition work will take place prior to the conclusion of this meeting.
The protestors asked for time to prepare a formal proposal for the renovation and use of the 'red brick building'. The SWRDA were unable to make any firm commitments on this due to their contract with Urban Splash but have agreed to report back to the public meeting on the current status of that contract and as to whether or not it may be possible to vary its terms.
The SWRDA gave an assurance that if at any point after the public meeting they should decide to commence demolition work on the 'red brick building' then two weeks public notice will be given.
The protestors agreed to end their occupation and to vacate the building by midday Tuesday (Jan 13th).
We are pleased that we have opened a meaningful dialogue with the SWRDA on the future of the Morlands site. We hope that local people's frustration about the situation can now be turned into a powerful creative force for collaboration between the various communities in the town and with the SWRDA.
For further information contact Hazel on 01458 833871 or hazel@glastonbury.co.uk
End of press release
Barefootreporter's cynical side wonders about SWRDA's change of heart: it will remain to be seen whether they're just trying to solve the PR problems that have arisen from their actions on the Morlands site, or whether they'll show a real commitment to responding to the needs of the community. Trust is like a glacier that ends at the sea: it grows slowly, but huge chunks fall off at the other end...
Video clips to come, watch this space!
PRESS RELEASE - MORLANDS PROTEST
12/01/09
This morning the protestors on the Morlands site met with the SWRDA and the Mayor of Glastonbury. A constructive discussion took place and the following has been agreed:
The Mayor offered to convene an extra-ordinary meeting of the Town Council with Morlands as the sole agenda item and the SWRDA have agreed to attend and to respond to written questions from the public. This meeting is expected to take place within the next two weeks and members of the public will be able to attend. The SWRDA agreed that no demolition work will take place prior to the conclusion of this meeting.
The protestors asked for time to prepare a formal proposal for the renovation and use of the 'red brick building'. The SWRDA were unable to make any firm commitments on this due to their contract with Urban Splash but have agreed to report back to the public meeting on the current status of that contract and as to whether or not it may be possible to vary its terms.
The SWRDA gave an assurance that if at any point after the public meeting they should decide to commence demolition work on the 'red brick building' then two weeks public notice will be given.
The protestors agreed to end their occupation and to vacate the building by midday Tuesday (Jan 13th).
We are pleased that we have opened a meaningful dialogue with the SWRDA on the future of the Morlands site. We hope that local people's frustration about the situation can now be turned into a powerful creative force for collaboration between the various communities in the town and with the SWRDA.
For further information contact Hazel on 01458 833871 or hazel@glastonbury.co.uk
End of press release
Barefootreporter's cynical side wonders about SWRDA's change of heart: it will remain to be seen whether they're just trying to solve the PR problems that have arisen from their actions on the Morlands site, or whether they'll show a real commitment to responding to the needs of the community. Trust is like a glacier that ends at the sea: it grows slowly, but huge chunks fall off at the other end...
Video clips to come, watch this space!
Protest group statement
The following is the statement issued by the protestors immediately prior to the meeting with SWRDA which took place today.
STATEMENT FROM THE PROTEST GROUP AT MORLANDS TO THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
12/01/09
We appreciate your arranging this meeting and are optimistic of a positive outcome that all can agree to.
There are two main issues that we would like to see addressed:
Public Meeting
There is a general feeling of dissatisfaction in the community about the dearth of information as to the current status of the redevelopment plans on the Morlands site as a whole. We do not wish to engage in yet another round of full public consultation and neither do we wish any meeting to be a highly charged and disorganised event. What we seek is authoritative information from those in a position to give that.
We suggest that a possible solution could be to ask the Mayor to call an extra-ordinary meeting of the Town Council and invite the SWRDA to attend. We suggest that this meeting be held in the Main Hall of the Town Hall
with the Morlands site as the sole Agenda item. Members of the public could submit written questions in advance of the meeting and a couple could speak briefly in the 3-minute slot allocated under normal meeting rules. We feel that this format could result in an informative meeting to the benefit of all and would meet our request for a Public Meeting.
The future of the 'red brick building'
Prior to the public announcement that demolition of the building was to start on Jan 5th we had been under the impression that plans were in place for its renovation and eventual use. Given the short timescale over the holiday period the community was unable to respond meaningfully to this unexpected development. Since the building has been occupied a number of people, including an architect, a surveyor and several elected representatives, have visited the site. Most have expressed surprise at the relatively good condition of the building and feel that it could be possible for it to be retained and put to good use for the community.
We would ask for a ‘stay of execution’ for six months in order to allow the community to draw up a realistic proposal for the renovation of the building. We have already been in contact with several organisations and, given time, are confident that we could present a viable business plan, including initial funding and projected long-term income streams. To that end we would set up a formally constituted organisation and work closely with existing organisations within the town.
In the meantime we would support the building being effectively secured in order to address your legitimate Health & Safety concerns and would be willing to help identify vulnerable points of entry of which we are aware.
We request that both these proposals be given serious consideration at today’s meeting and hope that agreement can be reached for the benefit of all concerned. Morlands could be a community asset and we sincerely hope that the community can work in partnership with the SWRDA to make that vision a reality.
Watch this space, more to come very soon!
STATEMENT FROM THE PROTEST GROUP AT MORLANDS TO THE SOUTH WEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
12/01/09
We appreciate your arranging this meeting and are optimistic of a positive outcome that all can agree to.
There are two main issues that we would like to see addressed:
Public Meeting
There is a general feeling of dissatisfaction in the community about the dearth of information as to the current status of the redevelopment plans on the Morlands site as a whole. We do not wish to engage in yet another round of full public consultation and neither do we wish any meeting to be a highly charged and disorganised event. What we seek is authoritative information from those in a position to give that.
We suggest that a possible solution could be to ask the Mayor to call an extra-ordinary meeting of the Town Council and invite the SWRDA to attend. We suggest that this meeting be held in the Main Hall of the Town Hall
with the Morlands site as the sole Agenda item. Members of the public could submit written questions in advance of the meeting and a couple could speak briefly in the 3-minute slot allocated under normal meeting rules. We feel that this format could result in an informative meeting to the benefit of all and would meet our request for a Public Meeting.
The future of the 'red brick building'
Prior to the public announcement that demolition of the building was to start on Jan 5th we had been under the impression that plans were in place for its renovation and eventual use. Given the short timescale over the holiday period the community was unable to respond meaningfully to this unexpected development. Since the building has been occupied a number of people, including an architect, a surveyor and several elected representatives, have visited the site. Most have expressed surprise at the relatively good condition of the building and feel that it could be possible for it to be retained and put to good use for the community.
We would ask for a ‘stay of execution’ for six months in order to allow the community to draw up a realistic proposal for the renovation of the building. We have already been in contact with several organisations and, given time, are confident that we could present a viable business plan, including initial funding and projected long-term income streams. To that end we would set up a formally constituted organisation and work closely with existing organisations within the town.
In the meantime we would support the building being effectively secured in order to address your legitimate Health & Safety concerns and would be willing to help identify vulnerable points of entry of which we are aware.
We request that both these proposals be given serious consideration at today’s meeting and hope that agreement can be reached for the benefit of all concerned. Morlands could be a community asset and we sincerely hope that the community can work in partnership with the SWRDA to make that vision a reality.
Watch this space, more to come very soon!
Meeting with the SWRDA
As I write (Monday Jan 12 2009, 9.30am ), a group of the Morlands Crew are in a private meeting with representatives from the SWRDA. Unfortunately barefootreporter couldn't make it to get a comment before the guys went in.
I'll be on the spot to get a statement as soon as they come out.
I'll be on the spot to get a statement as soon as they come out.
Town councillor speaks out
Linda Hull, independent Glastonbury Town Councillor, wrote this for the blog:
I’ve lived in Glastonbury for the last 8 years and like every one else have been waiting to see something that might be called progress on the Morlands site. I also know some of the people in local organisations and businesses that have been slogging away trying to get some real partnerships going with the RDA, pretty much all to no avail. Those people come from all different parts of our community and are people willing to get involved and put some effort in, all with the aim of providing what is necessary for this town and the people who live here to survive and thrive. It seems to me there is room to accommodate many, if not all, the diverse elements that are desired – everything from decently paid skilled work, to community space for the youth, to workshop and studio space for small businesses, artists and craftspeople. It’s not rocket science, is it?
In this time of transition we are all going through, whether we like it or not, it is utterly crazy to pull down a perfectly serviceable building when there is absolutely no guarantee that anything will ever get built on that site in the foreseeable future. I therefore add my voice to the call for a public meeting and stay of execution on the proposed demolition in order for other more constructive plans to be considered for the red brick building, which might actually meet the needs, evidenced ad nauseam, of this town and its population. My greatest hope is that the townspeople's frustrations about the Morlands site can be turned into a powerful creative force for collaboration between the various communities that make up Glastonbury. This will lead then to far reaching co-operation on lots of different fronts. Because if we don’t unite now to call for common sense to prevail, a great opportunity would be lost.
I’ve lived in Glastonbury for the last 8 years and like every one else have been waiting to see something that might be called progress on the Morlands site. I also know some of the people in local organisations and businesses that have been slogging away trying to get some real partnerships going with the RDA, pretty much all to no avail. Those people come from all different parts of our community and are people willing to get involved and put some effort in, all with the aim of providing what is necessary for this town and the people who live here to survive and thrive. It seems to me there is room to accommodate many, if not all, the diverse elements that are desired – everything from decently paid skilled work, to community space for the youth, to workshop and studio space for small businesses, artists and craftspeople. It’s not rocket science, is it?
In this time of transition we are all going through, whether we like it or not, it is utterly crazy to pull down a perfectly serviceable building when there is absolutely no guarantee that anything will ever get built on that site in the foreseeable future. I therefore add my voice to the call for a public meeting and stay of execution on the proposed demolition in order for other more constructive plans to be considered for the red brick building, which might actually meet the needs, evidenced ad nauseam, of this town and its population. My greatest hope is that the townspeople's frustrations about the Morlands site can be turned into a powerful creative force for collaboration between the various communities that make up Glastonbury. This will lead then to far reaching co-operation on lots of different fronts. Because if we don’t unite now to call for common sense to prevail, a great opportunity would be lost.
Sunday 11 January 2009
Chairman of Somerset County Council visits the Morlands Crew
Glastonbury resident and Chairman of Somerset County Council Alan Gloak visited the site today and had a cuppa with the protestors. These are his own words - from Gwell, a Glastonbury online forum:
I have just returned from my visit to Morlands.
The Building is in the state you would expect after 20 yrs non-use. It's sound and if the glass and a small amount of roof tiles were replaced it is ready for re-use. Yes, it needs electricity and a good form of heating. I recall that Chris Black has the team engine from Taunton Cider: this, reassembled would provide both, I think - but I'm not sure. AND it could be a visitor attraction. There are large open spaces which are ripe for conversion.
They [the Morlands Crew] are going to need public support. Please support them - they have taken possession of a very useful asset, next to a state of the art skateboard park and The old Mill Building. But all hands to the pumps and there is something worth saving, more than can be said for the poor imitation of the Hepworth building. The roof is perfect for solar and or photovoltaic cells. Alan
I have just returned from my visit to Morlands.
The Building is in the state you would expect after 20 yrs non-use. It's sound and if the glass and a small amount of roof tiles were replaced it is ready for re-use. Yes, it needs electricity and a good form of heating. I recall that Chris Black has the team engine from Taunton Cider: this, reassembled would provide both, I think - but I'm not sure. AND it could be a visitor attraction. There are large open spaces which are ripe for conversion.
They [the Morlands Crew] are going to need public support. Please support them - they have taken possession of a very useful asset, next to a state of the art skateboard park and The old Mill Building. But all hands to the pumps and there is something worth saving, more than can be said for the poor imitation of the Hepworth building. The roof is perfect for solar and or photovoltaic cells. Alan
Are the red brick buildings worth renovating?
There's nothing biblical about this blog, but I've been on the go for six days and today I've had a rest. Barefootreporting can be hard work y'know :)
Anyway, yesterday (Saturday - or Caturday?) saw a few interesting visits: Structural Engineer Nick Maclean dropped by and had a look at the buildings, together with a chap called Ian something (sorry mate but I'm not going to try to spell your last name and get it wrong). Ian has been dealing with renovation of old buildings for a long time and Nick has been surveying structures for 30 years or more.
We'll start with what Ian had to say:
Nick Maclean agrees:
I'm no cynic but maybe Simon Fairlie's right when he says that "the RDA's aim is to clear the site so it can sell off oven-ready brownfield sites to its cronies in the development industry." If that's the case then it would explain the frantic desire to demolish and the underhand timing too: the red brick buildings were originally meant to be renovated as workshop space and a business "start-up incubation zone."
Anyway, yesterday (Saturday - or Caturday?) saw a few interesting visits: Structural Engineer Nick Maclean dropped by and had a look at the buildings, together with a chap called Ian something (sorry mate but I'm not going to try to spell your last name and get it wrong). Ian has been dealing with renovation of old buildings for a long time and Nick has been surveying structures for 30 years or more.
We'll start with what Ian had to say:
Nick Maclean agrees:
I'm no cynic but maybe Simon Fairlie's right when he says that "the RDA's aim is to clear the site so it can sell off oven-ready brownfield sites to its cronies in the development industry." If that's the case then it would explain the frantic desire to demolish and the underhand timing too: the red brick buildings were originally meant to be renovated as workshop space and a business "start-up incubation zone."
Saturday 10 January 2009
Alan Gloak says occupation "gives me hope"
Chairman of Somerset County Council Alan Gloak made the following statement today on Gwell, a Glastonbury online discussion forum.
As John Brunsdon and I are the only two Councillors left who were at the original meeting with the SWRDA on 15th November 2001, I found it fascinating to look back over those papers I have kept and muse on the manner in which the SWRDA, who were the saviours of the derelict Morlands site, became the Villains they are today.
How has this come about is almost a text book study in how to fool all of the people all of the time: that includes me. I, for a very long time, was a mouth piece for the SWRDA and supported them. However, when at the last series of meetings they really showed they had no idea what to do with the site, they could not organise a party in a brewery, they refused to tell Ken Madock then the leader of Mendip or my self - Chairman of the County Council - in confidence who might go on the site, well, I gave up. The real answer: NO ONE.
One of the papers I have kept is "Morlands An Insoluble Problem or an Historic Opportunity." Another paper entitled "Morlands Village , A post-industrial development" as one of its aims "a large space for young people to use," Yes, I remember that it was the Hepworth Building, a road now runs through it - not around but through.
My last comment is in December 2001. I note it is recorded that I said "This means sites like Morlands must play it's part in the economic regeneration of the county". I do not retract one word of that, as I am sure John Brunsdon does not retract his words "A good mixture of uses - strong employment element".
I could go on but that is all water under the bridge, the young people are the councillors of tomorrow. We are only here today. They have by their occupation given me hope. I wish them well. Alan
I hope the RDA realises that it's not in their interest to further alienate our local politicians. Alan Gloak enjoys wide respect here: if SWRDA aren't going to listen to our elected representatives, who will they listen to?
As John Brunsdon and I are the only two Councillors left who were at the original meeting with the SWRDA on 15th November 2001, I found it fascinating to look back over those papers I have kept and muse on the manner in which the SWRDA, who were the saviours of the derelict Morlands site, became the Villains they are today.
How has this come about is almost a text book study in how to fool all of the people all of the time: that includes me. I, for a very long time, was a mouth piece for the SWRDA and supported them. However, when at the last series of meetings they really showed they had no idea what to do with the site, they could not organise a party in a brewery, they refused to tell Ken Madock then the leader of Mendip or my self - Chairman of the County Council - in confidence who might go on the site, well, I gave up. The real answer: NO ONE.
One of the papers I have kept is "Morlands An Insoluble Problem or an Historic Opportunity." Another paper entitled "Morlands Village , A post-industrial development" as one of its aims "a large space for young people to use," Yes, I remember that it was the Hepworth Building, a road now runs through it - not around but through.
My last comment is in December 2001. I note it is recorded that I said "This means sites like Morlands must play it's part in the economic regeneration of the county". I do not retract one word of that, as I am sure John Brunsdon does not retract his words "A good mixture of uses - strong employment element".
I could go on but that is all water under the bridge, the young people are the councillors of tomorrow. We are only here today. They have by their occupation given me hope. I wish them well. Alan
I hope the RDA realises that it's not in their interest to further alienate our local politicians. Alan Gloak enjoys wide respect here: if SWRDA aren't going to listen to our elected representatives, who will they listen to?
Peter Mandelson gives it the ol' blah blah...
Peter Mandelson (sorry, Lord Mandelson) wants the RDAs to spend our money: from regen.net, "the most authoritative and up-to-date website for regeneration professionals."
RDAs must boost growth sectors of economy
January 8 2009
Quote:
"'The next industrial revolution will, once again, be driven by the regions, just as Britain's first industrial revolution was,' Lord Mandelson said.
He added: 'It won't be cotton, but it will be bioscience, or green tech, or precision engineering or creative industries. Industrial activism has to be built on precise regional knowledge of what is needed in terms of infrastructure, investment and training.'"
I don't know about the bioscience or precision engineering bit, but green tech and creative industries would probably get on very well here in Glastonbury. Is SWRDA listening?
RDAs must boost growth sectors of economy
January 8 2009
Quote:
"'The next industrial revolution will, once again, be driven by the regions, just as Britain's first industrial revolution was,' Lord Mandelson said.
He added: 'It won't be cotton, but it will be bioscience, or green tech, or precision engineering or creative industries. Industrial activism has to be built on precise regional knowledge of what is needed in terms of infrastructure, investment and training.'"
I don't know about the bioscience or precision engineering bit, but green tech and creative industries would probably get on very well here in Glastonbury. Is SWRDA listening?
Some not quite entirely unrelated info
It's Saturday and maybe we could do with something lighthearted yet meaningful:
It's Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping!
Reverend Billy is a superb parody of a Baptist preacher (check out his hair!), who stages guerilla events with the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir in shopping malls, encouraging people to stop shopping. At first they just think he's an ordinary bible-basher...but no!
Here's a quote from the About Us page:
"Statement of Belief
Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir believe that Consumerism is overwhelming our lives. The corporations want us to have experiences only through their products.
Our neighborhoods, "commons" places like stoops and parks and streets and libraries, are disappearing into the corporatized world of big boxes and chain stores. But if we "back away from the product" – even a little bit, well then we Put The Odd Back In God!
The supermodels fly away and we're left with our original sensuality. So we are singing and preaching for local economies and real – not mediated through products – experience.
We like independent shops where you know the person behind the counter or at least –you like them enough to share a story.We ask that local activists who are defending themselves against supermalls, nuke plants, gentrification – call us and we'll come and put on our "Fabulous Worship!"
Remember children... Love is a Gift Economy! — The Rev"
Not entirely unrelated, methinks?
He also drives demons out of cash registers:
Word is that he's banned from every Starbucks in the whole world. Somehow I don't think he's missing them.
Here's a screenshot of a Google Search:
Can you spot what's wrong with this image? :)
It's Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping!
Reverend Billy is a superb parody of a Baptist preacher (check out his hair!), who stages guerilla events with the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir in shopping malls, encouraging people to stop shopping. At first they just think he's an ordinary bible-basher...but no!
Here's a quote from the About Us page:
"Statement of Belief
Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir believe that Consumerism is overwhelming our lives. The corporations want us to have experiences only through their products.
Our neighborhoods, "commons" places like stoops and parks and streets and libraries, are disappearing into the corporatized world of big boxes and chain stores. But if we "back away from the product" – even a little bit, well then we Put The Odd Back In God!
The supermodels fly away and we're left with our original sensuality. So we are singing and preaching for local economies and real – not mediated through products – experience.
We like independent shops where you know the person behind the counter or at least –you like them enough to share a story.We ask that local activists who are defending themselves against supermalls, nuke plants, gentrification – call us and we'll come and put on our "Fabulous Worship!"
Remember children... Love is a Gift Economy! — The Rev"
Not entirely unrelated, methinks?
He also drives demons out of cash registers:
Word is that he's banned from every Starbucks in the whole world. Somehow I don't think he's missing them.
Here's a screenshot of a Google Search:
Can you spot what's wrong with this image? :)
In the papers again
From the Central Somerset Gazette:
A chilly wind is blowing through our high streets
January 09 2009
Quote:
"How about the on-going fiasco which is the former Morlands site between Glastonbury and Street! Despite the well-publicised sit-in by protestors there can be little doubt that the remaining buildings, that have become a terrible eyesore, will have to come down.
The South West Regional Development Agency, which is in charge of the vast area involved, is reported to have spent £25 million over the past decade getting absolutely nowhere with long-awaited redevelopment proposals.
What a pity this do-nothing Government quango can't be demolished as well."
Now there's an idea. I wonder if anyone would squat them? Not the next commentator, I'm sure:
Factory row shames RDA
January 10 2009
Quote:
"The old Morlands factory at Glastonbury has been occupied by local people opposed to the Regional Development Agency's unimaginative plans for the site.
Nothing could better illustrate the degeneration of Labour's much-vaunted regional policy.
The RDA was supposed to be about fulfilling local aspirations, an executive agency that would be democratically accountable to the people of the region.
Instead it has become just another property company, maximising profits for Gordon Brown, arrogantly ignoring public opinion.
The Wessex Regionalists would abolish the RDA, at least in its current form, and hand its assets over to local communities, whose wishes should be final. Any regional executive body that is retained must work for and with the community, not against it. The London government must have no say in its work.
David Robins Wessex Regionalist Party Weston-super-Mare"
Wikipedia entry about the Wessex Regionalist Party
Their blog: wessexregionalists.blogspot.com. I suppose that makes us neighbours? I like the dragon logo.
More to come later...
A chilly wind is blowing through our high streets
January 09 2009
Quote:
"How about the on-going fiasco which is the former Morlands site between Glastonbury and Street! Despite the well-publicised sit-in by protestors there can be little doubt that the remaining buildings, that have become a terrible eyesore, will have to come down.
The South West Regional Development Agency, which is in charge of the vast area involved, is reported to have spent £25 million over the past decade getting absolutely nowhere with long-awaited redevelopment proposals.
What a pity this do-nothing Government quango can't be demolished as well."
Now there's an idea. I wonder if anyone would squat them? Not the next commentator, I'm sure:
Factory row shames RDA
January 10 2009
Quote:
"The old Morlands factory at Glastonbury has been occupied by local people opposed to the Regional Development Agency's unimaginative plans for the site.
Nothing could better illustrate the degeneration of Labour's much-vaunted regional policy.
The RDA was supposed to be about fulfilling local aspirations, an executive agency that would be democratically accountable to the people of the region.
Instead it has become just another property company, maximising profits for Gordon Brown, arrogantly ignoring public opinion.
The Wessex Regionalists would abolish the RDA, at least in its current form, and hand its assets over to local communities, whose wishes should be final. Any regional executive body that is retained must work for and with the community, not against it. The London government must have no say in its work.
David Robins Wessex Regionalist Party Weston-super-Mare"
Wikipedia entry about the Wessex Regionalist Party
Their blog: wessexregionalists.blogspot.com. I suppose that makes us neighbours? I like the dragon logo.
More to come later...
Friday 9 January 2009
Another response
This - anonymous - response came as a comment to Niall Connolly's post below: you can also find it here
As I understand it the planning consent does not specify what business can go into the site, and even if it did it would still not explain why the SWRDA have repeatedly refused applications from already local comapnies employing local people and hoping to expand. The oficial reason behind the SWRDA dis-allowing Cosyfeet's entry to the site was that they did not consider the company would increase it's employee numbers and were not 'IT based' enough. Well, in the two years since this decision Cosyfeet has doubled it's work forse and 50% of their trade is web-based. Does that not say there is something dodgy about the 'guidelines' for tenenats? The SWRDA want to attract 'technology based' industry, but to entice new business into an area two things MUST be available, a local, available, skilled work force and fantastic motorway access (business studies/human geography 101). I'd like to know which of the three, narrow, pot holed roads leading into Glastonbury are considered 'fabulous motorway link' and where the SWRDA are hiding the hundreds of Glasonbury Technophiles wanting a job.
As I understand it the planning consent does not specify what business can go into the site, and even if it did it would still not explain why the SWRDA have repeatedly refused applications from already local comapnies employing local people and hoping to expand. The oficial reason behind the SWRDA dis-allowing Cosyfeet's entry to the site was that they did not consider the company would increase it's employee numbers and were not 'IT based' enough. Well, in the two years since this decision Cosyfeet has doubled it's work forse and 50% of their trade is web-based. Does that not say there is something dodgy about the 'guidelines' for tenenats? The SWRDA want to attract 'technology based' industry, but to entice new business into an area two things MUST be available, a local, available, skilled work force and fantastic motorway access (business studies/human geography 101). I'd like to know which of the three, narrow, pot holed roads leading into Glastonbury are considered 'fabulous motorway link' and where the SWRDA are hiding the hundreds of Glasonbury Technophiles wanting a job.
barefootreporter's response to the previous post
OK, now you can call me a liar because I'm going to comment on it anyway. Here's my ill-informed opinion. This is my personal viewpoint and is not necessarily shared by the protestors.
Whilst the legal and planning systems are something we need to deal with, they're still just a construct made by people: and as people, we can also change them should we so desire. I have little faith in these systems as my experience reporting from the front line of many direct actions has shown me that following all the legal niceties can still mean that local people's feelings are ignored, and the community short-changed.
There's a simple fact about systems of power: they never give anything away freely. People can also only rely on the rights and freedoms they have fought for and are willing to defend. Direct action (for me, the non-violent type is the best and only way) is one way of defending our rights and freedoms where laws are either unjust or applied in a partisan and discriminatory way.
I'm sure the RDA has "the law" - planning law - on its side. But what is this law and how was it formed?
If you take a look at the history of the political classes in the last few hundred years, you will find that becoming a member meant starting as a Justice of the Peace, perhaps a Magistrate, and then ascending through various positions like Councillor, and maybe ending up as a Member of Parliament.
These positions (and others, I'm sure) were only open to landowners.
The planning system seems arcane to a "newbie". Don't get me wrong, I agree with Simon Fairlie when he writes "It is still the only protection we have to stop large areas of Britain becoming like a California suburb, and we should never forget that."
However this system is built upon hundreds of years of accumulated legislation which at every turn has been affected by the attitudes and interests of those who own land.
An ideology is often most potent when it's least apparent. There is an ideological basis to the laws which govern land use, and it's seldom questioned, possibly because it's "just the way things are": not recognised as an ideology, but just taken as a fact of life.
I disagree with this ideology. Or, as I saw on a young man's t-shirt last summer (at The Great Party of the King of Pilton): "Stuff your jobs - we want land"
If the Morlands Crew can chip away at the granite hearts of the faceless bureaucrats who've spent lots of our money and ridden roughshod over the opinions of the local community, then I'll help them in any way I can. The whole world belongs to me: and the whole of it belongs to you too. As far as I'm concerned, I can only own as much land as I can fit in my pocket.
So there's my arrogant opinion about that. I hope it makes sense to someone, as the way we as a society manage the land and our shared space on this crowded island makes little sense to me...but as Jules in Pulp Fiction said: "I'm trying, Ringo, I'm trying real hard."
Whilst the legal and planning systems are something we need to deal with, they're still just a construct made by people: and as people, we can also change them should we so desire. I have little faith in these systems as my experience reporting from the front line of many direct actions has shown me that following all the legal niceties can still mean that local people's feelings are ignored, and the community short-changed.
There's a simple fact about systems of power: they never give anything away freely. People can also only rely on the rights and freedoms they have fought for and are willing to defend. Direct action (for me, the non-violent type is the best and only way) is one way of defending our rights and freedoms where laws are either unjust or applied in a partisan and discriminatory way.
I'm sure the RDA has "the law" - planning law - on its side. But what is this law and how was it formed?
If you take a look at the history of the political classes in the last few hundred years, you will find that becoming a member meant starting as a Justice of the Peace, perhaps a Magistrate, and then ascending through various positions like Councillor, and maybe ending up as a Member of Parliament.
These positions (and others, I'm sure) were only open to landowners.
The planning system seems arcane to a "newbie". Don't get me wrong, I agree with Simon Fairlie when he writes "It is still the only protection we have to stop large areas of Britain becoming like a California suburb, and we should never forget that."
However this system is built upon hundreds of years of accumulated legislation which at every turn has been affected by the attitudes and interests of those who own land.
An ideology is often most potent when it's least apparent. There is an ideological basis to the laws which govern land use, and it's seldom questioned, possibly because it's "just the way things are": not recognised as an ideology, but just taken as a fact of life.
I disagree with this ideology. Or, as I saw on a young man's t-shirt last summer (at The Great Party of the King of Pilton): "Stuff your jobs - we want land"
If the Morlands Crew can chip away at the granite hearts of the faceless bureaucrats who've spent lots of our money and ridden roughshod over the opinions of the local community, then I'll help them in any way I can. The whole world belongs to me: and the whole of it belongs to you too. As far as I'm concerned, I can only own as much land as I can fit in my pocket.
So there's my arrogant opinion about that. I hope it makes sense to someone, as the way we as a society manage the land and our shared space on this crowded island makes little sense to me...but as Jules in Pulp Fiction said: "I'm trying, Ringo, I'm trying real hard."
Responses please!
Niall Connolly and I (barefootreporter) have exchanged a few emails: he has expressed an opinion about the protest which I feel unqualified to comment on in any depth. While I share the concerns and motivations of the Morlands Crew, I'd prefer to assist the debate rather than participate in it.
Niall has given permission to publish the following. Responses for publication to rchisnallATgmailDOTcom. Please mark responses "for publication".
9th January 2009
I've read some of the coverage of the current Morlands situation and, speaking as an outsider, there seems to be more heat than light around the subject.
Surely SWRDA's responsibilities with regard to the development of the site will be defined by the Planning Consent for the development. The consent will have attached the various conditions with regard to what SWRDA were and were not legally obliged to do.
Does anyone have a copy of the planning consent documentation? A review of the planning consent will clarify the situation with regard to SWRDA's obligations. If SWRDA have fulfilled all aspects of the planning consent then there is no problem. If they have failed to fulfill the conditions of the consent then surely the Local Authority is obliged to impose the terms of the consent upon SWRDA.
If the current protest is based upon SWRDA's failure to fulfill the conditions and obligations of the Planning Consent then SWRDA have a case to answer. If the current protest is based upon some agenda other than that defined by the terms and conditions of the Planning Consent then the protesters may be the ones who must be held to account.
Only a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the planning consent will clarify the situation.
Regards and best wishes.
Niall Connolly
So what do YOU think?
Niall has given permission to publish the following. Responses for publication to rchisnallATgmailDOTcom. Please mark responses "for publication".
9th January 2009
I've read some of the coverage of the current Morlands situation and, speaking as an outsider, there seems to be more heat than light around the subject.
Surely SWRDA's responsibilities with regard to the development of the site will be defined by the Planning Consent for the development. The consent will have attached the various conditions with regard to what SWRDA were and were not legally obliged to do.
Does anyone have a copy of the planning consent documentation? A review of the planning consent will clarify the situation with regard to SWRDA's obligations. If SWRDA have fulfilled all aspects of the planning consent then there is no problem. If they have failed to fulfill the conditions of the consent then surely the Local Authority is obliged to impose the terms of the consent upon SWRDA.
If the current protest is based upon SWRDA's failure to fulfill the conditions and obligations of the Planning Consent then SWRDA have a case to answer. If the current protest is based upon some agenda other than that defined by the terms and conditions of the Planning Consent then the protesters may be the ones who must be held to account.
Only a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the planning consent will clarify the situation.
Regards and best wishes.
Niall Connolly
So what do YOU think?
Press release
The Morlands Crew say:
"Representatives of the protest group will be meeting with the R.D.A on Monday morning (Jan 12th).
We expect the R.D.A. to have secured an eviction order by early next week but are optimistic of a positive outcome to this discussion that will avert the need for any eviction procedures.
Several local politicians back the call for a public meeting on the topic of the future of the Morlands site and we are hopeful that the R.D.A. and M.D.C. will attend such a meeting."
Note: the aforementioned meeting is in private.
"Representatives of the protest group will be meeting with the R.D.A on Monday morning (Jan 12th).
We expect the R.D.A. to have secured an eviction order by early next week but are optimistic of a positive outcome to this discussion that will avert the need for any eviction procedures.
Several local politicians back the call for a public meeting on the topic of the future of the Morlands site and we are hopeful that the R.D.A. and M.D.C. will attend such a meeting."
Note: the aforementioned meeting is in private.
Article in The Ecologist
Regional Destruction Agency: Why SWRDA would rather demolish than make sustainable
January 8th 2009
Simon Fairlie from The Land Is Ours has written an article that goes a bit deeper than most of the press coverage so far.
Quote:
"The squatters and most local people are now convinced that SWRDA’s aim is to demolish as much as possible on the site so that they can offer oven-ready brownfield sites to their friends in the development industry. They say it is typical of the duplicitous behaviour of the Regional Development Agencies which is experienced by nearly everybody who comes into contact with them and which, early in 2008, was the subject of a Radio 4 documentary."
January 8th 2009
Simon Fairlie from The Land Is Ours has written an article that goes a bit deeper than most of the press coverage so far.
Quote:
"The squatters and most local people are now convinced that SWRDA’s aim is to demolish as much as possible on the site so that they can offer oven-ready brownfield sites to their friends in the development industry. They say it is typical of the duplicitous behaviour of the Regional Development Agencies which is experienced by nearly everybody who comes into contact with them and which, early in 2008, was the subject of a Radio 4 documentary."
Thursday 8 January 2009
Press coverage
The print version of the Central Somerset Gazette ran this as the only front page story.
Protesters take over Morlands (click for full story)
Large parts of pages 4 and 5 also carried stories about the occupation:
Councillors back squatters (click for full story)
It's a good headline but Harvey Siggs doesn't seem to say anything in support in the article.
As far as I know, the other two are Conservatives...and they're backing squatters?!? Watch your head, you might get hit by a flying pig...
Some more history:
Business once boomed at site
The last line reads: "Priority Sites had announced its intention to start work on the site last summer, but the economic climate has forced it to hold fire on the development."
Hmmm...do they see it as a Lower Priority Site?
Protesters take over Morlands (click for full story)
Large parts of pages 4 and 5 also carried stories about the occupation:
Councillors back squatters (click for full story)
It's a good headline but Harvey Siggs doesn't seem to say anything in support in the article.
As far as I know, the other two are Conservatives...and they're backing squatters?!? Watch your head, you might get hit by a flying pig...
Some more history:
Business once boomed at site
The last line reads: "Priority Sites had announced its intention to start work on the site last summer, but the economic climate has forced it to hold fire on the development."
Hmmm...do they see it as a Lower Priority Site?
SWRDA want to build a fence
A switched-on local resident noticed this:
http://www.mendip.gov.uk/pods/AppInfo.asp?AppNo=109156/031
The grid reference in the application is right in the middle of this map: very close to the occupied buildings.
So what does it mean? Johnny Heriz-Smith, a local architect who has followed the Morlandssorry mess pile of rubble debacle for many years, kindly interprets:
"[This is] an application to protect the three sets of buildings recognised as worth retaining with improved palisade fencing. This may well be in response to a fire they had prior to christmas which rendered one of the buildings too dangerous to retain - this I believe is true. Logic would dictate that any building that they are not going to protect in the same way will be demolished. In other words the decision to demolish would have been tied in with increasing the level of protection of the other buildings.
This may follow a genuine assessment of their risks."
He explains further:
"The application details are:
Application Number 109156/031
Application Description - Erection of security fencing around existing buildings (BOARD)
'BOARD' means that the decision will go before the planning board, which is open to the public, although only one person can speak for and one against it, if they so wish"
Interesting. The application was received on 22 December 2008 - well before the protest started - so it's not in response to the occupation. However, planning decisions require consultation and it remains to be seen if SWRDA's ears are still plugged up with huge piles of (our) banknotes...
http://www.mendip.gov.uk/pods/AppInfo.asp?AppNo=109156/031
The grid reference in the application is right in the middle of this map: very close to the occupied buildings.
So what does it mean? Johnny Heriz-Smith, a local architect who has followed the Morlands
"[This is] an application to protect the three sets of buildings recognised as worth retaining with improved palisade fencing. This may well be in response to a fire they had prior to christmas which rendered one of the buildings too dangerous to retain - this I believe is true. Logic would dictate that any building that they are not going to protect in the same way will be demolished. In other words the decision to demolish would have been tied in with increasing the level of protection of the other buildings.
This may follow a genuine assessment of their risks."
He explains further:
"The application details are:
Application Number 109156/031
Application Description - Erection of security fencing around existing buildings (BOARD)
'BOARD' means that the decision will go before the planning board, which is open to the public, although only one person can speak for and one against it, if they so wish"
Interesting. The application was received on 22 December 2008 - well before the protest started - so it's not in response to the occupation. However, planning decisions require consultation and it remains to be seen if SWRDA's ears are still plugged up with huge piles of (our) banknotes...
People needed on Monday 12th Jan
Would you like to help out? People are needed on Monday morning (!2th January).
Here's a message from the folks:
"On Monday morning we will have a need for more bodies in the building. Some of us will be at a meeting with the RDA at 9.30am. This is a call for extra bodies to sit there for a few hours on Monday. We estimate we need extra cover from 8.30am to around midday. If anyone has an hour or so to spare during that time please let us know which timeslot you can cover."
If you'd like to turn up, please contact Hazel by email at hazelATglastonburyDOTcoDOTuk (replace capitals with @ and .). It's important to contact her first so things stay organised.
Here's a message from the folks:
"On Monday morning we will have a need for more bodies in the building. Some of us will be at a meeting with the RDA at 9.30am. This is a call for extra bodies to sit there for a few hours on Monday. We estimate we need extra cover from 8.30am to around midday. If anyone has an hour or so to spare during that time please let us know which timeslot you can cover."
If you'd like to turn up, please contact Hazel by email at hazelATglastonburyDOTcoDOTuk (replace capitals with @ and .). It's important to contact her first so things stay organised.
Local architect speaks out
Johnny Heriz-Smith, partner in local architects Heriz-Payne, has been following events at the Morlands site for many years. He says this:
"This is the moment when those who think they can use these buildings need to say so. I have heard of artist's/workshop groups, an 'eco' enterprise, this youth group, and a renewable energy initiative who wanted a presence on Morlands. There may well be other groups I don't know about, and some of these groups may have different ideas altogether and not be interested in these particular buildings.
If the various groups can pull together and have the patience and will to see this through, then there is a chance that these buildings not only get saved but find a community use. This would require the support first of the Town Council, then the Local Authority, and finally SWRDA, in increasing order of difficulty as we ascend the bureaucratic food chain. If there is enough 'spread' of community use then it is possible that the community will raise substantial funds - outside funding (which would be necessary) is difficult and time-consuming to find. We are talking about a minimum 3 year project in my view, and a high level of cooperation between groups with different agendas.
From SWRDA's point of view, clearing these buildings will make the plot more valuable to a potential (or actual) purchaser - they may have the right to demolish these buildings without Mendip's permission.
If Urban Splash pull out I doubt Morlands will be developed for 3-5 years unless SRWDA take a hit on land value (like everyone else is).
It looks like another SWRDA P.R. cockup anyhoo."
He also mentioned that the attitude of the RDA in his recent conversations with them (before the protest) was that everything on the site was fine and dandy...which makes me wonder if they listen the the local community at all.
"This is the moment when those who think they can use these buildings need to say so. I have heard of artist's/workshop groups, an 'eco' enterprise, this youth group, and a renewable energy initiative who wanted a presence on Morlands. There may well be other groups I don't know about, and some of these groups may have different ideas altogether and not be interested in these particular buildings.
If the various groups can pull together and have the patience and will to see this through, then there is a chance that these buildings not only get saved but find a community use. This would require the support first of the Town Council, then the Local Authority, and finally SWRDA, in increasing order of difficulty as we ascend the bureaucratic food chain. If there is enough 'spread' of community use then it is possible that the community will raise substantial funds - outside funding (which would be necessary) is difficult and time-consuming to find. We are talking about a minimum 3 year project in my view, and a high level of cooperation between groups with different agendas.
From SWRDA's point of view, clearing these buildings will make the plot more valuable to a potential (or actual) purchaser - they may have the right to demolish these buildings without Mendip's permission.
If Urban Splash pull out I doubt Morlands will be developed for 3-5 years unless SRWDA take a hit on land value (like everyone else is).
It looks like another SWRDA P.R. cockup anyhoo."
He also mentioned that the attitude of the RDA in his recent conversations with them (before the protest) was that everything on the site was fine and dandy...which makes me wonder if they listen the the local community at all.
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Online Petition
We've now got an online petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/19mquid/petition.html
If you've signed the paper one, please don't sign the online one, as duplicates would look a bit odd.
http://www.petitiononline.com/19mquid/petition.html
If you've signed the paper one, please don't sign the online one, as duplicates would look a bit odd.
Auntie Beeb's articles about the site
Many thanks to Lauren, who found a few articles by BBC Somerset:
£10.6m bill to redevelop tannery
24 February 2003
Quote:
"More than £10m is needed to redevelop a huge disused tannery in Somerset which has been empty for more than 15 years.
The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) is asking the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for £10.6m to fund the next stage of the development of the Morlands site near Glastonbury.
So far, the RDA has spent £5m on acquiring the 30,000 square metres of derelict buildings at the factory, which made leather and sheepskin products for 150 years."
Note the caption under the picture: Proposal for Morlands include offices and a skate park. The skate park was opened in 2003 but demolished without warning last year due to "health and safety considerations". Luckily a new park is being built: no thanks to the RDA.
Approval for tannery's £13m revamp
7 May 2003
Quote:
"A disused tannery will be demolished after the government approved a £13m plan to revitalise the site.
The cash will mean the Morlands site on the outskirts of Glastonbury will be transformed with new roads, refurbished houses and a skateboard park.
There will also be space for small and medium sized businesses.
After Wednesday's official announcement, the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) said it would now press ahead with redeveloping the rundown area."
Redeveloping? Yeah, right. I found a new word for it: developmestruction
Old tannery demolition continues
9 January 2004
Quote:
"The second phase to clear the site of an ex-tannery for redevelopment has started.
The old Morlands sheepskin factory in Glastonbury, Somerset, lay empty for 15 years before being bought by the South West Regional Development Agency in 2001.
A total of 29 buildings on the 31-acre site have already been cleared, and work has now started to demolish the derelict Hepworth building, and an on-site chapel.
Proposals recently submitted for the site include a combined emergency services control centre, offices, shops and cafes."
Great! We'd like to see them!
I love the next headline:
Morlands site ready for business
27 May 2004
Quote:
"The site of a former sheepskin factory in Somerset is finally ready for a developer to transform it for new use.
Morlands in Glastonbury has been one of the biggest industrial wastelands in the region.
In the 1960s the tannery employed hundreds of workers during the sheepskin boom but when the industry declined, it was left to rot."
...until the Wunnerful SWRDA took it over, spent 19 million quid...and left it to rot.
Developers to revamp old tannery
13 December 2006
Quote:
"Two developers have signed up to redevelop a former sheepskin factory site in Glastonbury.
Urban Splash and Priority Sites will build offices and other buildings at the new Morlands Enterprise Park, providing 400 jobs.
Work will begin in spring 2007, with business moving on to the site in 2008.
The 31-acre former tannery site has been now been fully cleared. It had been one of the biggest industrial wastelands in the region."
It's still a wasteland, except it's now empty and has a lovely set of traffic lights.
I'll add a headline of my own:
Autocratic, wasteful and arrogant Regional Development Agency invent another good-news story and then do nothing of any use to the local community.
£10.6m bill to redevelop tannery
24 February 2003
Quote:
"More than £10m is needed to redevelop a huge disused tannery in Somerset which has been empty for more than 15 years.
The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) is asking the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for £10.6m to fund the next stage of the development of the Morlands site near Glastonbury.
So far, the RDA has spent £5m on acquiring the 30,000 square metres of derelict buildings at the factory, which made leather and sheepskin products for 150 years."
Note the caption under the picture: Proposal for Morlands include offices and a skate park. The skate park was opened in 2003 but demolished without warning last year due to "health and safety considerations". Luckily a new park is being built: no thanks to the RDA.
Approval for tannery's £13m revamp
7 May 2003
Quote:
"A disused tannery will be demolished after the government approved a £13m plan to revitalise the site.
The cash will mean the Morlands site on the outskirts of Glastonbury will be transformed with new roads, refurbished houses and a skateboard park.
There will also be space for small and medium sized businesses.
After Wednesday's official announcement, the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) said it would now press ahead with redeveloping the rundown area."
Redeveloping? Yeah, right. I found a new word for it: developmestruction
Old tannery demolition continues
9 January 2004
Quote:
"The second phase to clear the site of an ex-tannery for redevelopment has started.
The old Morlands sheepskin factory in Glastonbury, Somerset, lay empty for 15 years before being bought by the South West Regional Development Agency in 2001.
A total of 29 buildings on the 31-acre site have already been cleared, and work has now started to demolish the derelict Hepworth building, and an on-site chapel.
Proposals recently submitted for the site include a combined emergency services control centre, offices, shops and cafes."
Great! We'd like to see them!
I love the next headline:
Morlands site ready for business
27 May 2004
Quote:
"The site of a former sheepskin factory in Somerset is finally ready for a developer to transform it for new use.
Morlands in Glastonbury has been one of the biggest industrial wastelands in the region.
In the 1960s the tannery employed hundreds of workers during the sheepskin boom but when the industry declined, it was left to rot."
...until the Wunnerful SWRDA took it over, spent 19 million quid...and left it to rot.
Developers to revamp old tannery
13 December 2006
Quote:
"Two developers have signed up to redevelop a former sheepskin factory site in Glastonbury.
Urban Splash and Priority Sites will build offices and other buildings at the new Morlands Enterprise Park, providing 400 jobs.
Work will begin in spring 2007, with business moving on to the site in 2008.
The 31-acre former tannery site has been now been fully cleared. It had been one of the biggest industrial wastelands in the region."
It's still a wasteland, except it's now empty and has a lovely set of traffic lights.
I'll add a headline of my own:
Autocratic, wasteful and arrogant Regional Development Agency invent another good-news story and then do nothing of any use to the local community.
Latest news, Jan 7th
It's been three days now and the energy is gathering. Many of the people who had been staying overnight took some time out and had baths, etc: they were replaced by a day crew of a slightly higher average age...
There's been a fairly constant traffic of local people with supplies: vats of hot soup, water, food, etc. The folks would like some thermal socks if anyone's got any. Luckily there's now two gas-fired heaters with the red bottles, which work better in the sub-zero temperatures we've been having.
Everyone has been encouraged by the statements made by the Mayor (see earlier post), and the RDA's change in position (see Rory's statement below).
People in the town are beginning to talk: there's a general dissatisfaction with the RDAs rare combination of sluggishness and duplicity. This is crossing political divides and my guess is that the RDA don't want to alienate even more people. The RDA keep spouting out the same old line that "they've consulted with local politicians": if so, where are they? There have been no expressions of support at all for the RDA's approach - unless you count their own people. We spoke to one local politician today about the RDA but unfortunately, their opinion of the RDA is unprintable...
Anyway, here's some pics:
You can always tidy up to keep warm! says the bloke in the picture
Not everyone likes being photographed!
There's been a fairly constant traffic of local people with supplies: vats of hot soup, water, food, etc. The folks would like some thermal socks if anyone's got any. Luckily there's now two gas-fired heaters with the red bottles, which work better in the sub-zero temperatures we've been having.
Everyone has been encouraged by the statements made by the Mayor (see earlier post), and the RDA's change in position (see Rory's statement below).
People in the town are beginning to talk: there's a general dissatisfaction with the RDAs rare combination of sluggishness and duplicity. This is crossing political divides and my guess is that the RDA don't want to alienate even more people. The RDA keep spouting out the same old line that "they've consulted with local politicians": if so, where are they? There have been no expressions of support at all for the RDA's approach - unless you count their own people. We spoke to one local politician today about the RDA but unfortunately, their opinion of the RDA is unprintable...
Anyway, here's some pics:
You can always tidy up to keep warm! says the bloke in the picture
Not everyone likes being photographed!
Call for information
Richard here - aka barefootreporter.
As you can see, we're getting a fair bit of info about the site from many different sources.
If you've got any relevant information then please contact me by email here: rchisnallATgmailDOTcom (replace as necessary).
As you can see, we're getting a fair bit of info about the site from many different sources.
If you've got any relevant information then please contact me by email here: rchisnallATgmailDOTcom (replace as necessary).
News from the Red Brick Building
Latest news:
You can help out by dropping by for a few hours, so the folks inside can take a break and have baths, etc. Anyone is welcome, apart from the folks from the RDA of course!
Spokeperson Rory Weightman has some good news:
"An interesting development has just taken place in our negotiations with the RDA. They have now said they WILL hold a private meeting on Monday morning WITHOUT the pre-condition of vacating the building. This is good news... So it seems (tho one can never be sure) that we are safe from eviction for the moment."
Watch this space.
You can help out by dropping by for a few hours, so the folks inside can take a break and have baths, etc. Anyone is welcome, apart from the folks from the RDA of course!
Spokeperson Rory Weightman has some good news:
"An interesting development has just taken place in our negotiations with the RDA. They have now said they WILL hold a private meeting on Monday morning WITHOUT the pre-condition of vacating the building. This is good news... So it seems (tho one can never be sure) that we are safe from eviction for the moment."
Watch this space.
Statement from Tom Billing, Mayor of Glastonbury
January 7 2009
Tom Billing, Mayor of Glastonbury, has today issued the following statement:
Statement from the Mayor of Glastonbury re Morland Enterprise Development Site
Like many others in Glastonbury I am very disappointed with the lack of real progress on the Morland Enterprise Development Site by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA). After 7 years of effort and the spending of around 20 million pounds of public money we have yet to see the essence of a real development. Had the SWRDA got down to business in a timely fashion our dream of an exciting new development with the prospect of quality employment opportunities for the town could have been nearing fruition by now.
As Mayor of this town my first duty is to uphold the law and therefore I cannot condone the occupation of the derelict buildings on the Morland's site but I do very much share the frustration that the squatters must be feeling. I am backing our local MP David Heathcoate-Amory who has called for a public enquiry into the delays and spend of public funds by SWRDA.
I would call upon the squatters to leave the building immediately for their own safety but at the same time I invite the SWRDA to come to the Glastonbury Town Hall to explain to the general public what is going on.
Cllr Tom Billing
Mayor of Glastonbury
Ebenezer Cottage,
30, Northload Street,
Glastonbury,
Somerset.
BA6 9JJ
Tom Billing, Mayor of Glastonbury, has today issued the following statement:
Statement from the Mayor of Glastonbury re Morland Enterprise Development Site
Like many others in Glastonbury I am very disappointed with the lack of real progress on the Morland Enterprise Development Site by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA). After 7 years of effort and the spending of around 20 million pounds of public money we have yet to see the essence of a real development. Had the SWRDA got down to business in a timely fashion our dream of an exciting new development with the prospect of quality employment opportunities for the town could have been nearing fruition by now.
As Mayor of this town my first duty is to uphold the law and therefore I cannot condone the occupation of the derelict buildings on the Morland's site but I do very much share the frustration that the squatters must be feeling. I am backing our local MP David Heathcoate-Amory who has called for a public enquiry into the delays and spend of public funds by SWRDA.
I would call upon the squatters to leave the building immediately for their own safety but at the same time I invite the SWRDA to come to the Glastonbury Town Hall to explain to the general public what is going on.
Cllr Tom Billing
Mayor of Glastonbury
Ebenezer Cottage,
30, Northload Street,
Glastonbury,
Somerset.
BA6 9JJ
Urban Splash or Urban Crash?
Urban Splash - www.urbansplash.co.uk - is the property developer who supposedly are to redevelop the south end of the Morlands site, including the occupied "red brick building". They've got a history of working with the SWRDA, having redeveloped the King William Yard in Plymouth.
You would have had to be asleep for the last year not to know that it's getting very hard to borrow money these days: the property market is in sharp decline. One major residential development right here in Glastonbury has ground to a halt for that very reason.
Will this affect Urban Splash and their plans for the site? You won't find the news articles below in the news section of their website, although you can search their site for Morlands and get a few results - you can also register your interest in Morlands too! Anyway, here's a link to Urban Splash's factsheet about Morlands (pdf).
If this image (from the factsheet - sod the copyright) is anything to go by, they want to build something that looks like glorified converted containers with bolt-on prison staircases, surrounded by lovely grey paving stones...don't get me wrong, I like good modern architecture, but I don't fancy living in a shoe box with windows sitting a pad of concrete. Note the lack of gardens and children and no less than three men in suits.
How, I wonder, are Urban Splash faring in the current financial and property market downturn? Here's what the papers say:
BBC: Staff at Urban Splash face cuts
September 12 2008
Quote:
"Manchester-based property development firm Urban Splash has begun a redundancy programme following "disappointing" sales.
The company, which specialises in converting former industrial buildings, employs 280 people but has not said how many are facing redundancy.
It has blamed deterioration in the UK economy for the decision. "
Herald Express (South Devon) Urban Splash hit by credit crunch
October 15 2008
Quote:
"ONE of the developers lined up to redevelop Paignton's historic Oldway Mansion is faced with laying off staff because of the credit crunch.
Urban Splash has been hit hard by the banking crisis and mortgage freeze, particularly in the North West.
The Manchester based developer, responsible for some of the most highly praised regeneration projects in the country, confirmed it has begun consultation on redundancies.
(...)
The council is scheduled to decide between them by the end of the year following a public consultation on their proposals.
Urban Splash says the credit crunch had forced the firm to consider making cuts."
Liverpool Daily Post: Urban Splash blames economic gloom for 60 job losses
November 15 2008
Quote:
"PROPERTY group Urban Splash is to cut more than 20% of its workforce after confirming 60 jobs will be lost.
The Manchester-based firm, which has a Liverpool office, announced in September it was consulting with employees about potential job losses.
It blames the deteriorating economy and disappointing sales in the first half of 2008."
Manchester Evening News: Urban Splash warns of further job cuts
December 12 2008
Quote:
"REGENERATION developer Urban Splash looks set to make more job cuts.
The Manchester-based company confirmed today it was reviewing its construction staffing in the north and had begun a fresh consultation period with workers.
The news comes just a fortnight after the company confirmed it had made 60 jobs redundant from its 250-strong workforce across its five UK divisions."
"Last month Splash chairman and chief executive Tom Bloxham said more public investment was needed, both nationally and locally, and warned: 'The whole regeneration cycle is in danger of crashing to a halt.'"
The word from the Royal William Yard in Plymouth is about staff layoffs and unsold apartments.
So there you have it - four months on the trot. Urban Crash, I think?
You would have had to be asleep for the last year not to know that it's getting very hard to borrow money these days: the property market is in sharp decline. One major residential development right here in Glastonbury has ground to a halt for that very reason.
Will this affect Urban Splash and their plans for the site? You won't find the news articles below in the news section of their website, although you can search their site for Morlands and get a few results - you can also register your interest in Morlands too! Anyway, here's a link to Urban Splash's factsheet about Morlands (pdf).
If this image (from the factsheet - sod the copyright) is anything to go by, they want to build something that looks like glorified converted containers with bolt-on prison staircases, surrounded by lovely grey paving stones...don't get me wrong, I like good modern architecture, but I don't fancy living in a shoe box with windows sitting a pad of concrete. Note the lack of gardens and children and no less than three men in suits.
How, I wonder, are Urban Splash faring in the current financial and property market downturn? Here's what the papers say:
BBC: Staff at Urban Splash face cuts
September 12 2008
Quote:
"Manchester-based property development firm Urban Splash has begun a redundancy programme following "disappointing" sales.
The company, which specialises in converting former industrial buildings, employs 280 people but has not said how many are facing redundancy.
It has blamed deterioration in the UK economy for the decision. "
Herald Express (South Devon) Urban Splash hit by credit crunch
October 15 2008
Quote:
"ONE of the developers lined up to redevelop Paignton's historic Oldway Mansion is faced with laying off staff because of the credit crunch.
Urban Splash has been hit hard by the banking crisis and mortgage freeze, particularly in the North West.
The Manchester based developer, responsible for some of the most highly praised regeneration projects in the country, confirmed it has begun consultation on redundancies.
(...)
The council is scheduled to decide between them by the end of the year following a public consultation on their proposals.
Urban Splash says the credit crunch had forced the firm to consider making cuts."
Liverpool Daily Post: Urban Splash blames economic gloom for 60 job losses
November 15 2008
Quote:
"PROPERTY group Urban Splash is to cut more than 20% of its workforce after confirming 60 jobs will be lost.
The Manchester-based firm, which has a Liverpool office, announced in September it was consulting with employees about potential job losses.
It blames the deteriorating economy and disappointing sales in the first half of 2008."
Manchester Evening News: Urban Splash warns of further job cuts
December 12 2008
Quote:
"REGENERATION developer Urban Splash looks set to make more job cuts.
The Manchester-based company confirmed today it was reviewing its construction staffing in the north and had begun a fresh consultation period with workers.
The news comes just a fortnight after the company confirmed it had made 60 jobs redundant from its 250-strong workforce across its five UK divisions."
"Last month Splash chairman and chief executive Tom Bloxham said more public investment was needed, both nationally and locally, and warned: 'The whole regeneration cycle is in danger of crashing to a halt.'"
The word from the Royal William Yard in Plymouth is about staff layoffs and unsold apartments.
So there you have it - four months on the trot. Urban Crash, I think?
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