Double standards blast over councillor’s stance
Windsor Davies, actor, David Soul, singer/ actor, Hugh Cornwell, rock singer Emma Samms, actress, Shania Twain, singer, Jason Priestley, actor, Jack Black, actor LeAnn Rimes, singer, Lilli Schwarzkopf, heptathlete, Florence Welch, singer with Florence and The Machine Armie Hammer, actor, RE the Homes fight to carry on article on Wednesday, August 23. I agree with Clr Andrew Cooper’s comments supporting the residents at Newsome facing 22 houses being built near Newsome Ponds.
However, what a pity that Clr Cooper seems to be affected with dual standards and couldn’t support others in the Holme Valley in their objection to development.
About 18 months ago he sat on a planning committee that approved an almost inaccessible field at Cinderhills in the Holme valley for 18 detached dwellings.
Despite 10 very valid reasons from local residents as to why the proposal was unsafe due to infrastructure, overloaded sewers etc, together with a strong objection from the local parish council, Clr Cooper raised his hand with the ruling group to build on green fields.
We thought his remit was to protect green fields.
He states in the article “this is yet another case of land owners doing what is best for their pocket and not what provides the most benefit to the community.”
This didn’t seem to bother him and his conscience when he voted for the development in our back yard.
He also complains about a decision by an unelected Government official. That’s rich when there were no elected members from the Holme Valley at the hearing 18 months ago and certainly none on the site visit earlier in the day i.e. no local knowledge apart from his, he was nearest to the Holme Valley. And he still stuck his hand up with the ruling group.
Clr Cooper cited concerns about disruptions to culverts and drainage at Newsome having an adverse impact on local residents.
If you remember councillor, that was a very strong part of our argument but it didn’t seem to bother you then.What’s changed your mind?
You are either in favour of protecting green fields or you’re not. Which is it councillor? It seems the promised report regarding rail electrification in December is much like the panel set up to deliberate the siting of the new Wembley stadium when everyone knew what the decision would be.
My reading indicates that the new roll rolling stock being bought for 2019 delivery will be bi-modal – with both electric and diesel drive. With the pantograph going up and down as necessary, while the train is on the move. Spot the potential for bother.
As the new trains will have a service life of perhaps 25 years, that implies full electrification will not arrive until about 2045.
It’s close on three years since the trials on a battery driven train were deemed successful. And not a word since. So it seems they’ve been dismissed as a a means of running the gap where wires can’t go. They too would need retractable pantographs but would at least be quiet and fume free.