PAPALSCOPE 2007 JANUARY no.1

Let us hope that 2007 will bring a more peaceful world; for everything else may be but business as usual.

STATION WORKS SITE
Probably as soon as February one expects to hear more concerning the Proposed redevelopment of the STATION WORKS SITE. We may well have some sixty houses there, and probably if we do, soon enough after, another sixty on the Hindon Lane site too. Neither site is going to go away, and none should believe it will. It is all a matter of timing.

REPRESENTATION to the SDC ‘Cabinet’ made 13.Dec.06. Concerning HINDON LANE PLANNING BRIEF.

‘Mr.Chair, We are a very fortunate village in that we have so many residents who are apparently, of Planning Consultant Status. Maybe that suggestion is too sweeping, so I will re-phrase it. Hindon Lane is fortunate to have so many Planning Experts in their corner.
I am listed as supporting this Development Brief. I do so, not because I wish to see any such large development in Hindon Lane, nor unlike so many who live along Hindon Lane, do I wish to see any similar Estate built on the alternative site proffered. For that ancestral workspace, located far beyond the ‘city wall’ is an irreplaceable Planning Anachronism, the unpolished Industrial Gem in Tisbury’s Crown. Furthermore you are advised by TisVis that 90% of the Village has no wish for any expansion outside our existing Housing Boundary. M. Chair, Hindon Lane is within that Boundary. The Other Place most certainly is not.
Any Statistic relating to empty workshops elsewhere, is as irrelevant as advising that the Army has hundreds of empty houses on its books. Location is a primary factor of good planning. Salt is cheap enough here. I am told there are places were it is highly priced. Since we have it in plenty, maybe one should take most of today’s objections with a pinch of it.
At a recent meeting of Western Area, one Councillor pointed out that any who were displeased by the designation of this land in the District Plan, would better have lodged complaint when the Plan went to Appeal, for that was the due season. Why did these residents not do so? Why didn’t the Parish Council lodge complaint? The Fonthill Estate did, and so did I. Therefore it should n’t have been too hard for our panoply of barrack-room planners to have done likewise.
I invite you to accept this planning Draft, not only for all the reasons listed in Appendix 3, but the one in particular that that suggests whichever the decision you make today, it is more probable than not, that a Planning Application will be submitted anyway. So if this draft does not have your approval now. Your Planning Officers would go metaphorically speaking naked into the fray.

The Cabinet heard other not dis-similar representations from former District Councillor Roy Frankland and former Tisbury Parish Councillor Ms. Felicity Corp and unanimously voted in favour of accepting the Planning Brief.

STATION WORKS TISBURY.
Better known as the former PARMITER SITE.
has been the Work Place for several generations of Tisbury People.

a.Yes it is an Eyesore; b.Yes it is too Large for modern needs; c.Yes Tisbury People do need Affordable Housing ;d Yes a National Property company owns this site and persists in it’s wish to build in the region of Sixty Plus New Houses on it. So enhancing a modest enough outlay, by several million pounds.

Some of these proposed houses are termed ‘Affordable’. Do not for a moment think that this means that any on a Tisbury Pay Scale are likely to be able to buy these ‘delightfully sited’ units of accommodation, unless they pay a substantial cash Deposit first. Nor is there is any suggestion of access via a Housing Association. A small area of the site would be available for Workspace. The Village would be importing hundreds of new ‘Commuting Family Members’ and Retirees, for probably only they could afford to buy such housing.

Thus NEITHER HOUSING , NOR JOBS IN IT FOR LOCALS.

Tisbury Parish Council, and West Tisbury Parish Council, ‘Tisbury Action‘, and Residents of HINDON LANE seem keen to see Station Works surrendered to big business. Maybe it is too cynical to suggest that some of their enthusiasm stems from the fact, that the Alternative Building site for these sixty plus houses etc. is off ‘Hindon Lane’ ?

The Hindon Lane Site is a Greenfield already designated by the ‘Powers That Be’ as an area for mixed Development. Station Works is a Brownfield Site . For the last six months there has been a Marketing Exercise to see whether any firm is interested in either renting or buying the premises. Of course they are unlikely to find such an interested party, but that is their problem not ours. In that circumstance the District Council both Councillors and Planners may be obliged, entirely against their own already expressed judgement, and against the better interest of Tisbury, to permit the redevelopment of Station Works with these houses. In which case there would be no new housing off Hindon Lane at the present time. The worst scenario would be for Mixed Development of both sites. For each site, one way or another WILL BE DEVELOPED.

I have a house, and being now retired do not seek employment. Living on the outskirts of the Parish, what happens at it’s centre does not affect me personally. However I strongly believe Station Works is worth fighting for. It is a unique ‘planning anachronism’ and our Village is fortunate that it is there. Pull it down and build smaller modern work units not only as places of employment, but as centres for many local services. Maybe then locals will again shop in Tisbury. One can see the great and the good in Tesco at Shaftesbury or Salisbury, in Waitrose, and every which way. We can not all service our motors at the village garage however excellent it may be. People weep crocodile tears whilst taking their custom elsewhere. What is it that the Parish Council seems to have against local goods and services?*

NEXT MAY Tisbury can expect to have an ELECTION for Eleven Parish Councillors. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor all that is necessary is to complete the application form when it becomes available, and then return it to the District Council Returning Officer by the start of April 2007. There are no costs involved, nor is anyone else’s ‘say so’ needed.

*The Walrus and The Carpenter

Lewis Carroll
(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,.
Because she thought the sun.
Had got no business to be there.
After the day was done--.
"It's very rude of him," she said,.
"To come and spoil the fun!".

 The sea was wet as wet could be,.
The sands were dry as dry..
You could not see a cloud, because.
No cloud was in the sky:.
No birds were flying overhead--.
There were no birds to fly..
The Walrus and the Carpenter.
Were walking close at hand;.
They wept like anything to see.
Such quantities of sand:.
"If this were only cleared away,".

They said, "it would be grand!".
"If seven maids with seven mops.
Swept it for half a year..
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,.
"That they could get it clear?".
"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,.
And shed a bitter tear..
"O Oysters, come and walk with us!".
The Walrus did beseech..
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,.
Along the briny beach:.
We cannot do with more than four,.
To give a hand to each.".
The eldest Oyster looked at him,.
But never a word he said:.
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,.
And shook his heavy head--.
Meaning to say he did not choose.
To leave the oyster-bed..
But four young Oysters hurried up,.
All eager for the treat:.
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,.
Their shoes were clean and neat--.
And this was odd, because, you know,.
They hadn't any feet..
Four other Oysters followed them,.
And yet another four;.
And thick and fast they came at last,.
And more, and more, and more--.
All hopping through the frothy waves,.
And scrambling to the shore..

 The Walrus and the Carpenter.
Walked on a mile or so,.
And then they rested on a rock.
Conveniently low:.
And all the little Oysters stood.
And waited in a row..
"The time has come," the Walrus said,.
"To talk of many things:.
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- .
Of cabbages--and kings--.
And why the sea is boiling hot--.
And whether pigs have wings.".
"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,.
"Before we have our chat;.
For some of us are out of breath,.
And all of us are fat!".
"No hurry!" said the Carpenter..
They thanked him much for that..
"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,.
"Is what we chiefly need:.
Pepper and vinegar besides.
Are very good indeed--.
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,.
We can begin to feed.".
"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,.
Turning a little blue..
"After such kindness, that would be.
A dismal thing to do!".
"The night is fine," the Walrus said..
"Do you admire the view?.

 "It was so kind of you to come!.
And you are very nice!".
The Carpenter said nothing but.
"Cut us another slice:.
I wish you were not quite so deaf--.
I've had to ask you twice!".
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,.
"To play them such a trick,.
After we've brought them out so far,.
And made them trot so quick!".
The Carpenter said nothing but.
"The butter's spread too thick!".
"I weep for you," the Walrus said:.
"I deeply sympathize.".
With sobs and tears he sorted out.
Those of the largest size,.
Holding his pocket-handkerchief.
Before his streaming eyes..
"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,.
"You've had a pleasant run!.
Shall we be trotting home again?'.
But answer came there none--.
And this was scarcely odd, because.
They'd eaten every one..

dshaw@jabberwocky.com