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10:11am Sunday 11th May 2008
CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals for an eco-town in North Yorkshire are organising two major public meetings next week, where residents can vent their fury.
But Selby MP John Grogan has revealed he will be turning down an invitation to attend to explain his support for the development, which is likely to be located at one of four potential sites in the Selby district.
He told The Press he had prior Parliamentary commitments at Westminster at the time of both meetings, which are being held at Kellington Village Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, and at Whitley and Eggborough at 7pm on Thursday.
When asked whether he would be willing to face his critics if a public meeting was held at a time to suit him, he said he would - once the Leeds City region has recommended which proposal should go ahead, probably next month.
News of the meetings comes after it was confirmed that the four potential sites for Yorkshire's eco-town - featuring between 5,000 and 20,000 homes - are at Eggborough and Kellington, Gascoigne Wood near Sherburn-in-Elmet, Burn Airfield and Church Fenton.
The Press revealed earlier this month that the four sites were being suggested by consultants GVA Grimley.
Next week's meetings are being organised by Selby district councillors for Eggborough, John and Mary McCartney, who are leading the battle against GMI's proposals for a 15,000-home eco-town near Eggborough, Kellington and Beal, dubbed Willow Green.
John McCartney said the meetings would explain the current position and allow residents to ask questions.
Mary McCartney said they had invited Mr Grogan to attend both meetings, because they wanted to ensure that both sides of the issue were given to residents.
Mr Grogan said he backed the eco-town proposal in principle because of the strong need in the area for new, affordable housing for young people and families.
Free Speech, York says...
2:32pm Sun 11 May 08
rnr321, burn says...
10:28pm Sun 11 May 08
rnr321, burn says...
10:31pm Sun 11 May 08
The Underdog, In Transit says...
10:36pm Sun 11 May 08
David H, York says...
9:34am Mon 12 May 08
Tom, York says...
10:37am Mon 12 May 08
David H wrote:Correct. Why make the effort to go somewhere just to be shouted out? He's already made his views plain.
MPs can usually get permission to leave London on Thursdays, but not Tuesdays - so he ought to be able to get to one of next week's meetings. Not that he will be able to win over the audience, of course - they will be there because they've already made up their minds!
Cari, York says...
10:50am Mon 12 May 08
The Underdog wrote:I don't think it is a case of NIMBY's. I don't live in any of the areas where they are planning them, but my partner's family does. I thought one of the criteria for the eco-towns was that they were to be built on brown field sites. The information I have found out is that most of these are greenfield, so consequently don't even fit the so called required criteria.
I can see why John Grogan may feel reluctant to stand before a group of
NYMBYs as this would be a very unproductive meeting from his point of
view.
The fact is that we do need more homes and they will be built
somewhere; it would appear that all of these proposed sites are
reasonable and well considered places for additional homes.
Of course there will be people no matter where you build who will
oppose such proposals based on pure self interest and flimsy excuses.
However the time when people who could afford a house and expect their
home to serve as additional income at the expense of the people who
couldnt afford their own homes are hopefully now over and the much
needed corrections in the housing market can now be corrected thanks to
the world economic situation largely caused by the recent trends of
irresponsible self interest of the very same kind as NIMBYism.
Hopefully we can get back to a nation of fair play where jobs are worth
doing as opposed to the rip off Britain where scumbags are rewarded for
simply being dishonest and irresponsible.
Sorry NYMBYs but you cant have your cake and eat it; no sympathy from
me I hope they build right up to your boundaries with massive walls.
CF, Church Fenton says...
3:20pm Mon 12 May 08
rnr321, selby says...
8:08pm Mon 12 May 08
"Sorry NYMBYs but you cant have your cake and eat it; no sympathy from me I hope they build right up to your boundaries with massive walls."
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Cruddass is a muppett, says...
11:39am Sun 11 May 08