Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 3:39 PM
Subject: RE: Greetings
Dear Mr Lello,
Thank you for your email. As my earlier email refers I am arranging a separate meeting with you and a number of other interested parties to discuss concerns that have been raised on the Otterpool Quarry planning application. The decision has however been taken in accordance with the planning process and therefore cannot be revisited. As part of that process the views of the locally community were taken into account and there were two site visits and public meetings arranged by the County Council along with public speaking to the Planning Applications Committee. As I have advised in previous correspondence, as the development was in accordance with planning policy for waste development the views of the local community were not over-riding in this instance. Planning decisions have to be made on planning grounds and are not determined on the basis of popularity. On this basis, I see no need for a further public meeting.
Kind regards
Sharon Thompson
Head of Planning Applications
Internal: x6052
External: 01622 696052
Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: Ronald Lello [mailto:ronald@millenniumtrust.co.uk]
Sent: 05 May 2011 15:39
To: Thompson, Sharon - EE PE
Cc: Carter, Paul - LEADER; King, Richard - MEM
Subject: Re: Greetings
Sent: 05 May 2011 15:39
To: Thompson, Sharon - EE PE
Cc: Carter, Paul - LEADER; King, Richard - MEM
Subject: Re: Greetings
Dear Sharon,
Thank you very much for notice of a proposed meeting with you all. We look forward to that.
Regarding the Sellindge meeting, I should say that this meeting will be highly significant. A large number of villagers feel alienated, really alienated, from the process of local government in Kent. (Please refer to Kent Express www.kentonline.co.uk Hythe and Romney 28th April page 18) It is very difficult to understand how this can be allowed to happen in 21st century Britain. I am shocked by it. It is therefore in my view unthinkable that someone from KCC will not be here to answer questions. We all know that it will not necessairly be an easy evening but surely that goes with the job. I find it particularly disturbing that Paul Carter will not be coming or that he has not suggested someone to deputise for him. It seems to me that there must be someone in Kent Administration or Planning or the ruling political group who could deputise for you or Richard or Paul Carter - what about Mr Smith of Tonbridge? He had plenty to say. I remember him for his implacable conviction, so surely a man with such persuation of mind would leap at the chance of answering questions.
If no one attends you cannot expect us not to direct the attention of this village, the media and the national media to the implications arising. Nor can you expect that this issue will automatically fade away. Important national issues are raised by what has happened: we have made no decisions yet but we are currently consulting with others with direct interests and are considering potential action with others on a larger stage.
I look forward to you response,
Kindest Regards
Ronald
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 1:01 PM
Subject: RE: Greetings
Dear Ronald
Thank you for your e-mail of 27 April regarding an invitation to attend a public meeting being held in Sellindge on the evening of Tuesday 10 May. Unfortunately, neither the Chair of the Planning Applications Committee, Richard King, or myself are available to attend.
However, in an earlier e-mail of 18 April and addressed to Richard King, you requested a meeting with Mr King, myself and the case officers involved in this application. We are currently in the process of arranging such a meeting at County Hall and hope to be able to contact you soon with some date options. We, therefore, do not consider there is also a need for another wider Parish meeting.
Kind regards
Sharon Thompson
Head of Planning Applications
Internal: x6052
External: 01622 696052
Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: Ronald Lello [mailto:ronald@millenniumtrust.co.uk]
Sent: 27 April 2011 15:17
To: Thompson, Sharon - EE PE
Subject: Greetings
Sent: 27 April 2011 15:17
To: Thompson, Sharon - EE PE
Subject: Greetings
Dear Sharon,
Well, there seems to be a lot of letters, messages and emails flying around at the moment. I have also promised to join in by way of a long letter to you, but this email is not intended to be part of the main game. On this occasion I am writing to offer you an opportunity to bring some peace, quiet and repose to this part of Kent.
As you will be aware, much bitterness, frustration and cynicism abounds in Sellindge and district. This has been generated by the conduct of the KCC Planning team and the Planning Committee at the meeting in March. As I have said, I shall be writing to you about this in some detail. For now I just want to say that the anger is so strong here that we no longer have a Parish Council. Just two people, the Chairman and one other member have agreed to serve. The other members are retiring and we cannot find anyone to replace them. And this is in a village where 96% signed a petition, 700 marched and all meetings have overflowed. When asked, likely Parish Council candidates have said 'Why bother?' They all refer to the way KCC have and did, totally ignore the case which had been made by, we might say, 100% of the population plus Shepway, Damian Collins MP, all the parish councils, the race-course and the rest - just totally ignored it. Didn't even refer to it. And that is why we Sellindgers - politically active as we are - will not have a Parish Council next month.
Well Sharon, I do not want to labour the point in this Email letter. I shall be developing this and other points later. What I would like to do is help you find a way to neutralise all this anger, bitterness and frustration. We are having a public meeting in the village on the evening of the 10th May and I thought it would be a jolly good idea if you came along to explain to everyone just how the KCC Planning Office and Committee works and answer a few questions at the same time. Sellindgers are a good natured lot and I am sure you would get a warm welcome. And to keep you company I shall be inviting Mr Paul Carter and Mr Richard King - I am sure they will take good care of you as well. And besides the good people just mentioned, I thought I'd invite the media by sending them copies of this letter. We would be most obliged if you could say whether you are able to come, as soon as possible, because I would like to feature you on our publicity. I am sure that with your capabilities and experience of talking to the Planning Committee you can sway the meeting - I have even heard that some people want to rename Otterpool to Sharon's Quarry but I think the majority want the new name to be 'Carter's Folly'.
I look forward to your early reply,
Kindest Regards
Ronald Lello - Chairman Sellindge and District Residents Association
