NIMBY gone WAY Wrong in UK.....

[The Bread Guy]

WTF?

Soldier who lost both legs in Afghanistan is refused permission for specially-adapted bungalow on grandparents' land
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1129143/Soldier-lost-legs-Afghanistan-refused-permission-specially-adapted-bungalow-grandparents-land.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/4365439/Council-blocks-new-home-for-maimed-Marine.html
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/82239/Council-bans-new-home-for-disabled-hero

Marine and his grandfather

Chunk of land destined for bungalow

Interesting quotes from the Daily Express story:

....Councillor Niki Oates, also a double amputee, asked fellow planning committee members to “damn the rules” and help the soldier but her proposal was rejected by six votes to five.  She said: “I lost both my legs so obviously I felt special compassion for him. There has to be a way to get round the rules sometimes in a case like this. I wish him every luck....

and from the Daily Mail:

....They narrowly ruled against the plans, even though there had been no objections – and despite a direct appeal from Joe, who was desperate to live near his family, in Pevensey, East Sussex....

Anybody know if there's any equivalent to the Ontario Municipal Board in the UK that these folks could go to in order to get a review and (maybe) reversal of such decisions?

 

[Shec]

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Tell me please that I have lost my reading comprehension skills.

 

[starseed]

Highly disgusting. The man lost two legs serving his country and they won't let him build a house to fit his needs?

 

[1feral1]

WIA Veterans throughout the Commonwealth get the shaft one way or another. To have to fight for something so basic is just PLAIN wrong.

Shame, shame, shame!

OWDU

 

[Journeyman]

OK, speaking only as the feces-disturbing, devil's advocate, that I sometimes tend to be.......

There's probably not a soul here who believes our media when it comes to any story involving the military - - yet we assume the British media's got it wrapped; 100% accurate, no muck-raking, no bias.

It's obviously (to us) a sensical proposal -- there were "no objections" from the neighbours -- and yet the council still rejected the application "five votes to six." That seems like a hefty consensus to me.

Is it remotely possible that there's more to the story?      Just askin'

 

[geo]

http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Council/Media_Releases/2009/JoeTownsendPlanningStatement.aspx

From the council's web site we find the following notice:

Joe Townsend Planning Application Statement

There has been widespread media interest in the decision by Wealden's Development Control South planning subcommittee regarding an application for a bungalow for Royal Marine Joe Townsend, who was injured in Afghanistan. Wealden District Council's Head of Planning and Building Control, Kelvin Williams, has made the following statement:

"The Council seeks to support families who need to provide extended care facilities but the erection of a new bungalow out side of the development boundary would be intrusive and be in direct conflict with existing policies to restrain building in rural areas.

We have suggested an alternative which would involve building an annexe on to the existing dwelling belonging to a family member. Alternatively there is the possibility to convert an existing storage building at the rear of the existing dwelling to provide the required independent accommodation. The council has already indicated to the agent and family members we are happy to discuss such a revised proposal."

Please direct any comments to: [email protected]

 

[The Bread Guy]

There's probably not a soul here who believes our media when it comes to any story involving the military - - yet we assume the British media's got it wrapped; 100% accurate, no muck-raking, no bias ....  Is it remotely possible that there's more to the story?

True enough....

http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Council/Media_Releases/2009/JoeTownsendPlanningStatement.aspx

Good catch, geo!

I'm happy to be straightened out by anyone knowing more about the British municipal system, but based on covering city hall myself here in Ontario, aren't the municipal councillors supposed to apply (sometimes hamfistedly) the "people's will" to the application of policies?  I've seen councillors here vote against proposals laid out by staff because they thought (correctly or incorrectly in some peoples' eyes) because it was the right thing to do. 

In Ontario, if someone has issue with such a land use planning decision, they can go to the Ontario Municipal Board for an outside arbitration - anything similar exist in the UK?

It's obviously (to us) a sensical proposal -- there were "no objections" from the neighbours -- and yet the council still rejected the application "five votes to six." That seems like a hefty consensus to me.

A split down the middle to me tells me there's division, not consensus.  This draws the eye, and it might lead to a more interesting story if a big-city reporter decided to speak to, say, the municipal affairs reporter of the local paper.  Will hunt a bit...

 

[The Bread Guy]

A few new scrapings on this - what controversy would be complete without a a story about the FaceBook group?

It also looks like someone's going (successfully) political with what appears to be the UK's national equivalent of the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

More back-yard media coverage of the issue right after the vote here and here don't shed any light on what else may have been behind the 5-6 split (although some of the comments here, for what they're worth, focus on worries about setting a precedent).

 

[The Bread Guy]

This, according to the Sun (UK) (11 Mar 09):

A MAIMED war hero was "elated" last night after officials formally granted planning permission to build him a specially-adapted bungalow.

The Sun told how Royal Marine Joe Townsend, 20, was involved in a dispute with councillors after they rejected an initial bid to build the home on his grandfather's land.

But Wealden District Council members unanimously approved revised plans for the property in Westham , East Sussex.

Joe, who lost both legs after stepping on a mine in Afghanistan, was not at the meeting. But mum Deborah Hawkins said: "He's really excited."....

More on link

 

[Harley Sailor]

Glad to see good things do come to those who wait.