No to Willow Green

And Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NumberSix — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:22:54 GMT

We've won.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Government-backs-down-over-Yorks.4657423.jp

The official list:

Middle Quinton, Warwickshire

Newton-Bingham, Nottinghamshire

Ford, West Sussex

Bordon-Whitehill, Hampshire

St Austell, Cornwall

Rossington, South Yorkshire

North East Elsenham, Essex

Pennbury, Leicestershire

Marston Vale, Bedfordshire

North West Bicester, Oxfordshire

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More Good News!

NumberSix — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:44:02 GMT

Two arcticles I came across today.

http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3805207.Eco_plan_for_British_Sugar_site/

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Put-target-for-new-homes.4653283.jp

There is a lot of work going off in the fields around the village, does someone know something we don't?

6

More good stuff!!!! (unless you are a developer)

jonh — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:37:31 GMT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/26/ecotowns.ethicalliving

CIWEM Report

NumberSix — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:16:55 GMT

Some really useful reading here.

http://www.ciwem.org/policy/policies/eco-towns.asp

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Selby Times Page 2

NumberSix — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:57:30 GMT

http://www.selbytimes.co.uk/district-news/Ecotown-ruling-welcomed.4501614.jp

:-)

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Take a look at the link below!!

jonh — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:51:23 GMT

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4547602.ece

[b]Look at this first meeting of the advisors on these eco bids (only 14 of them)[/b]

jonh — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:51:26 GMT

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/eco-townschallengenotes

Some of the comments are music to our ears. Honestly its worth a look.

Has anyone seen Grogan latley. We could start our on version of "Where's Wally"[b]

Mr Groanagain in the press

jonh — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:33:58 GMT

Statement from elected member in last nights press following the rejection of Leeds City Region.

"Last night John Grogan, the Selby Labour MP who has been a cheerleader for eco-towns, said Ministers should acknowledge the 10 shortlisted sites nationally should not now include one in the Leeds City Region".

What a change of heart!!!!!!

Statement From John Grogan

NumberSix — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:50:35 GMT

12 June 2008

STATEMENT ON LEEDS CITY REGION ECO TOWN DECISION

�I am a passionate believer in the principle of eco-towns but I am also a strong advocate of local democracy and in particular the increasing importance of the Leeds City Region meetings of local council leaders. In view of the shortage of affordable housing for families in Yorkshire, I am disappointed that the leaders have rejected the clear advice of their consultants. That�s life however, you win some, you lose some. ...

"eco-slums of the future"

Carpe Diem — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:06:52 GMT

In the news again !

Protest at Gordon Brown's eco-towns grows

Opposition to the Government's eco-towns project has surged with protesters signing up at the rate of 2,000 a day to call on the Prime Minister to halt plans for10 new towns across England.

Campaigners across the country are working together to fight the plans, which have been criticised by environmental groups, planning authorities and residents. Up to 60,000 protesters have given their signatures to oppose the towns, ...

It's Gascoigne Wood!!!

thehamlet — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:33:15 GMT

Check out the press tomorrow, Gascoigne Wood has been selected as the primary location. Although we aren't out of the woods yet, Willow Green is still on the table in case Gascoigne Wood goes pear shaped.

Generations of Support

Sue Powell — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:43:37 GMT

Remember the Grogan argument that we're mostly incomers/commuters anyway?

Well how many villagers have several generations living in and around the village? Loads I bet.

What about taking photos of your families showing the generations.

Who has the most generations of family living in and around the village?

Let's get the information (and better still the photos) out there in the press to prove the point!

Anyone who has photos, would like photos please contact me or John&Mary ...

Save Our Church

NumberSix — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:55:56 GMT

Here's one for Saturday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/1944233/Sign-our-Save-Our-Churches-petition.html

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In the papers

Carpe Diem — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:47:56 GMT

Telegraph to be more precise.

Eco-towns to 'override planning process'

Ministers are planning to override the planning process to get the controversial eco-towns built, it is claimed.

Professor David Lock, one of the Government's own expert planning advisers, believes the Government will "cut out a whole lot of processes" to benefit eco-towns, which are set to swallow up swathes of rural Britain.

His claim come as it emerged that opposition to the project has surged, with ...

IMPORTANT - FIRE UP THE CAMPAIGN - IMPORTANT

Admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:52:37 GMT

Hi all

The consultants working on behalf of the Leeds City Region have come forward with three sites that they think could be a good site for an eco-town.

Unbelievably, all three sites lie within the Selby District! (this does not include Willow Green)

The Leeds City Region includes Barnsley, Wakefield , Bradford, Huddersfield, York and Harrogate , yet these consultants tell us that the only possible site for an eco-town is in the Selby District.

They will now do some ...

Can't we all join together ?

Carpe Diem — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:52:09 GMT

Looks like no-one is in favour of these towns full stop...

Shame we can't all get together and fight the government as a whole.. uniting other people in our situation.. If we 'gang up' maybe we could make a difference.. Combined marches on London and all that... a gathering of the clans as such - a pool of all our talents from across the country and of course the masses fighting all together.. the government would sooner have lots of little battles than 1 major one.. Can't we give it the ...

Interesting article

Carpe Diem — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:49:56 GMT

I know this is not our area but there is definately some food for thought here...

Eco-town builder Co-operative is Labour donor

One of Labour's biggest donors is behind a project to build a 15,000-home eco-town, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

The Co-operative Group is bidding to build an eco-town called Pennbury on land it owns between Stoughton and Great Glen in Leicester.

However, objectors are circulating literature pointing out that Labour received �500,000 from ...

HAVE WE WON?

Sue Powell — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:15:27 GMT

Well folks - according to the Evening Post Caroline Flint has now stated that Willow Green and Darrington have been dropped from the shortlist.

Do we start making plans for the party? But don't take the posters down yet - till we see it in black and white.

Well done everyone so far - barring seeing it in black and white from themselves to us it would appear that common sense has at last prevailed!

Anyone who has a more official version please tell us all.

In the meantime, ...

Have your say in the Telegraph

Carpe Diem — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:49:12 GMT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/04/eaeco104.xml

Spotted this and thought well lets just all have our say ...

I know it seems as if we are in the clear but something tells me they are only putting it off till the next round.. So let us all add our comments especially of how it has made us feel and see what support we can give to others who have not been so lucky this time.

Message from John McCartney

GortonBorn — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:13:47 GMT

There will shortly be an announcement from the Government, stating which eco-towns they want to see built.

This announcement will NOT include any eco-town from our part of Yorkshire, as we are now being dealt with separately.

The local Councils that make up what is known as the Leeds City Region (Leeds, Bradford, Barnsley, Wakefield, York, Harrogate and Selby) are concerned that the current proposals, including Willow Green, will not provide a sustainable eco-town.

The Government ...

Tim Henman's Eco Town Battle

Carpe Diem — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:43:03 GMT

Whilst working I found this..

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/24/nhenman124.xml

Tim Henman is fighting his own eco town battle...... Maybe we could e-mail him and ask how they are doing with their battle and see if we could kind of join forces to at least publicise the fact we are all against it..

Can we get someone famous on board with our fight ?

It also says that

The group also has the backing of the Campaign to Protect Rural England despite ...

A Diferent View

NumberSix — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:38:57 GMT

Mrs. Six came up with a good question last night:

If you worked in Leeds would you want to live 25 miles away in an urban sprawl at the end of that well known car park the M62?

Of course not.

GMI will not be building any houses they will farm off the land to local builders.

Let's start canvassing and see who would buy into this scheme.

Post the results here, GMI don't respond to our emails so let the world know.

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Asda carrots.

purdey — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:02:25 GMT

Hi all,

I mailed Asda tonight with a message regretting my family was unable to continue patronising their stores and the reasons why.

I think this is a good idea personally. I think it could 'rattle a few cages' !!

Early Christmas cards

Snowflake — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:44:14 GMT

Early Christmas cards will shortly be on sale! They will feature a copy of an oil painting of Kellington Church in a snowstorm of the 1980/81 winter. Details will follow shortly. No doubt we'll all send one of these to JG too!

Criteria For Sustainable

NumberSix — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:37:59 GMT

I found yesterday's flyer heartening.

The decision on the location is now with the Leeds City Region.

I liked the concerns over the provision of a sustainable eco-town.

Could someone give me the definition of sustainable and an email address for Leeds City Region.

We can then start emailing.

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Take a look at this Site

Admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:47:03 GMT

http://ecotowns.googlepages.com

This a Campaign for Rural England, there is some interesting stuff on here that we can use.

Lets have some ideas...

URGENT MESSAGE....RADIO 4 TONIGHT 10PM - Monday 25th FEB.

purdey — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:28:26 GMT

All, just had a text from the guy at Radio 4 who came to the dog walk saying that the report is on 4 tonight at 10pm so get listening!!

Links to documents, letters, campaign posters etc

Admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:12:17 GMT

http://www.4shared.com/file/36971586/b647b7c7/Willow_Green_FINAL_31_10_07.html

This is the 'glossy' Willow Green Brochure - download and read it and to be honest laugh...I have never seen such a thrown together presentation...

http://www.4shared.com/file/36972132/4762ad27/Grogan_290108.html

Grogans weak response

Caroline Flint on the Politics Show

Sue Powell — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:20:56 GMT

No doubt many of us will have watched Caroline Flint on the Politics Show on Sunday last.

For those who missed it we videod it, if anybody wants to see it.

Although she was typically vague on most issues around the so-called Eco Towns she appeared to be clear on some thing once the pressure was put on.

Like:

a) Green Land is up for grabs but Green Belt SHOULD be safe

b) She talked about these "settlements" having to be zero-carbon - but when pushed that some would ...

A Question For Hazel Blears

NumberSix — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:08:26 GMT

Name changed to protect the innocent :-)

Jim Smith: Hello Hazel,

A question about the new eco-towns.

Some of the bids are clearly for the benefit of the developer and not necessarily for the community at large.

What safeguards have The Government put in place to ensure such bids are rejected?

Not all the bids are on brownfield sites, do not create employment and are not self sustaining.

Hazel replies: Jim, eco-towns will be really important in achieving our Green ...

Email from the Conservatives - Interesting reading!

GortonBorn — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:10:41 GMT

Weekly Bulletin � Sunday 24th February 2008

Many thanks for taking the time to complete my recent "Eco Town" survey of local residents. The response and feedback was tremendous and I have analysed the results of the survey and publish them below as part of a regular email bulletin I send out weekly to constituents in the Selby District. I hope you find this useful information as we continue the fight to oppose this scheme.

These results clearly destroy claims by the Selby ...

Fundraising keyrings �2.50 each Eggborough Post Office- Buy one & support the cause!

earnie — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:39:18 GMT

Keyrings are on sale at Eggborough Post Office to raise funds for the campaign. There are two pictures of Whitley canal with the words No Eco town, Green belt. It goes without saying that John Grogan will be posted one!

Hazel Blears Live Web Chat on Feb 25th

Carpe Diem — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:12:46 GMT

http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14645.asp

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, will be in Downing Street for a live webchat on Monday 25 February from 11:00 GMT.

Hazel's responsibilities include creating safe and inclusive communities, empowering people to have a bigger say on local issues and developing better homes and neighbourhoods for all, including vulnerable groups such as older people.

Theres not much time so log in and pose some questions ...

A Letter To Wendy Nichols

NumberSix — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:56:57 GMT

Thanks for your support on our campain against Willow Green.

I do however find your comments in the Selby Times worrying.

You say you may be in favour of a smaller development, I must

disssagree with you on this point. If you allow even one house you have set a

precident and developers can then claim further houses are infill. We

are looking at greenfield and greenbelt land let's keep it that way.

If I have misunderstood your comments I apologise now.

Dog Walkers against the Ecotown - Sunday 17th February

Admin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:48:46 GMT

Hi all

On Sunday 17 February we are holding a 'Dog Walkers against the New Town' walk. Meeting at Kellington Village Hall/CommunityLand we will set off at 11am to walk to Eggborough, on the public rights of way that we be stolen from us if this insane proposal goes ahead. Because we think that it is BARKING MAD!

We will arrive in Eggborough, Jolly Miller at about 11.45. Eggborugh residents can join us there or pop down to Kellington for the start

None dog owners are welcome to come ...

Parish Council Resolution Opposing Willow Green

Sue Powell — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:47:39 GMT

Folks

Maybe I'm getting bleary eye'd now - like a lot more of us I guess.

BUT is there a copy of our Parish Council Resolution opposing Willow Green on either of the forum's?

If not can someone post it on please - it would be good to quote in letters etc.

thanks all

SueP

A Letter To Yorkshire Forward

NumberSix — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:39:34 GMT

The RSPB chap down at Beal Carrs has told me that Yorkshire Forward will have a big say in where the new town will be. I have written to john.jarvis@yorkshire-forward.com who is in charge of transport expressing my concerns over an estimated 20,000 people all trying to get to Leeds between seven and nine. I will post his reply when I get one. I have also sent the letter to Ed Balls MP for Normanton. ed@edballs.com

Thought for the week

Snowflake — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:51:22 GMT

The 'thought for the week' in the Daily Mail today is "Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them"!

John Grogan

jonh — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:00:59 GMT

IS it just me that thinks our MP has not represented our village. I am sure he is a very nice man but he has not been seen in Kellington or arranged any meetings to listen to our views. He only appears to support the landowners and GMI in this scheme and not those of us who voted for him. He has not responded to meetings after numerous requests only to offer an invitation to one of his surgeries.

I personally have concerns on his understanding of our community and the representation he ...

Next ECOTOWN Meeting at Kellington

Admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:40:50 GMT

...anyone know when it is?

Question Time Tonight !!!!

Amanda Powell — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:44:09 GMT

Folks

For those who may not know - Caroline Flint MP is on question time tonight 10.30pm.

Could be good viewing. You never know we might get a mention.

Anyway, its always good to listen to these people, it's all good ammunition for later!

AmandaP

Putting Pressure on the MP for GMI

Amanda Powell — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:39:58 GMT

Hiya folks

FYI - Here's a copy of the email I sent to John Grogan today. Check out the link to his "week in politics" of 1.3.2001, makes interesting reading.

John - Just checked out your week in politics (01/03/01), http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/1196822.stm

low point of the week - Are your thoughts still going out to the people of Selby District?

AND quote of the same week (John Prescott) who apparently recogonised the resilience of local people, ...

Latest from Asscn of Insurers

Sue Powell — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:40:48 GMT

Check out the following weblink folks.

http://money.aol.co.uk/money-news/call-for-tougher-planning-controls/article/20080213190809990012

It includes:

"The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said a third of the three million new homes the Government planned to build by 2020 would be on a flood plain.

It added that during the past year alone, 13 major developments had been given the go-ahead despite advice from the Environment Agency that they would be at risk from flooding. ...

Contacting Wendy Nichols?

Sue Powell — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:50:32 GMT

I didn't have Wendy Nichols email address until today so in case any of you out there are in the same position still, here it is:

wnichols@selby.gov.uk

She's our labour District Councillor and Prospective Labour Parliarmentary Candidate so even though she appears to be on our side - we need to keep her on board!

Also her comments in todays press about maybe allowing smaller sites should be jumped on quickly. Even with a smaller site they'll set the precedent.

Remember, this ...

Gone Quiet?

Sue Powell — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:57:43 GMT

Hi Everyone!

I know everyone is busily working away at a host of important things related to the campaign - but how about sharing it with everyone. (Hope you agree Mr Administrator)

This sites for everyone and we're all out here to help anyone who needs it.

So please don't just read - join in and take part on the Forum.

You too Mr Grogan - we'd love to hear from you.

SueP

Local Flooding - from John Grogan Himself

Amanda Powell — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:16:54 GMT

Useful link to Hansard - John Grogan's own words from 2000 on the flooding problems in this area etc.!

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo010109/debtext/10109-54.htm

Very good aerial picture's of the 2000 floods can be found on this link

http://users.bluecarrots.com/deshojo/flood/eggflood.htm

Check out the last paragraph and make John Grogan eat his own words.

"In summary, our response to the great floods of Selby in the year ...

panarama 2000

chickenpatch — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:34:44 GMT

It might be a good idea to point all the decision making bodies to the Panarama programme that went out in 2000 showing the flooding of the village and the villagers being evacuated in the middle of the night

Communication - keep it broad but keep it legal!!!!

Admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:40:14 GMT

Try not to personalise any views, remember we are dealing with some clever people, we dont want to get cut off before we start - think before you write:-

Please refrain from posting anything racist, libellous or inflammatory. This forum is not constantly monitored.

Above all make it work for us, this can be a weapon in our ever increasing arsenal against the Ecotown proposal.

SAY NO TO WILLOW GREEN

The OnLine Petition

NumberSix — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:58:53 GMT

Has anyone received a confirmation email?

I haven't.

I can't believe only 25 people have signed it.

sound bites

stanleya — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:54:53 GMT

During the dark days of the Irish troubles one side used a very clever technique whenever the name of a political party was mentioned it was immediately followed by the title of the terrorist group it supported, thus linking the �party� in a negative way with the terrorists. A similar tactic may be adopted by a campaign group like yours. For example every time we write or mention �Willow Green� we might say �Willow green the unsustainable addition to the M62�, or� Willow green the undemocratic ...