WE'VE BEEN BUSY...Fred Marden on BBC Southern Counties

Fred Marden on the BBC Southern Counties breakfast show is really interested in the way that local views can be ignored by both developers and planners. Fred visited Tadworth on 8th May to take a closer look at the implications for our village - and we are hoping he will return to carry out some live interviews as part of a wider programme on overdevelopment in Surrey. In the meantime our thanks to Graham Clark of the Gemini Restaurant for his generous hospitality and support during this visit.

 

GAG - Gullivers Action GroupWe have heard from another group in Bexhill (GAG - Gullivers Action Group) who are also fighting a Churchill Retirement Living development. GAG have warned of us various dubious methods used by these developers who rely to a great extent on wearing down the opposition.

 

 

 

BBC Southern Counties coverage of STAGOn 20 March we were interviewed by a reporter from Radio Mercury and Press Releases were sent to all the local newspapers.

On Thursday 22 March we were on air with Southern Counties Radio. Fred Marden on the breakfast show is really interested in the way that local views can be ignored by planners and developers. Fred has promised to visit Tadworth shortly to look at the situation for himself.

 

We will continue to keep our shopkeepers supplied with newsletters and as soon as another planning application is submitted we will be knocking on doors and letting you know how and when to object.  If you have a few hours to spare and want to help with this mammoth task please contact us. 

 

On 21 February we attended a planning committee meeting to hear for ourselves how our councillors respond to planning applications.  This was a valuable insight into how the whole process is managed.  We have also been in contact with other similar groups – we are not alone. In Reigate there are active groups who are also battling against the aggressive influx of developers. In South West Surrey Jeremy Hunt, the local Member of Parliament, is continuing to help the local people in the fight against ‘garden grabbing’. He and our own MP, Crispin Blunt are both active in supporting the Land Use (Gardens Protection) Bill which is aimed specifically at preventing the destruction of the character of our towns and villages.

click for BBC Southern Counties RadioSTAG was on air in February, taking part in the BBC Southern Counties Radio ‘Breakfast Show’.  One of the themes being pursued by their Breakfast show presenter, Fred Marden, is the issue of the increasing number of gardens being designated as brownfield sites in South East England.

the Stag petition being delivered to ChurchillFred was interested to hear about the proposed redevelopment of the centre of Tadworth village.  The ‘Turmoil in Tadworth’ is caused by a proposal to demolish five attractive detached houses in the centre of the village and construct an enormous block of 49 retirement flats. After a very lively 10 minute discussion about the situation in Tadworth, Fred declared how much he had enjoyed the ‘barney’ and that he will be coming back to us to follow up the story.

the Stag petition being delivered to ChurchillBy 7.30 am the STAG team were on the road to Ringwood to meet with Spencer McCarthy the chairman of Churchill Retirement Living, the developers. We presented a petition of objection to the development signed by over 2,000 local residents.

 

BILL DEMANDING END TO 'GARDEN GRABBING'

Jeremy Hunt MP is continuing to fight against ‘garden grabbing’ in South West Surrey by backing Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman’s call for changes in planning regulations to prevent the over-development of local communities. Click here for more details.