Activists express anger of proposed Quantocks sale (From Somerset County Gazette)
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Activists express anger of proposed Quantocks sale
4:00pm Friday 23rd December 2011 in News
Harry Procter (right) led the protest
DOZENS of protesters vented their dismay at Somerset County Council’s decision to put parts of the Quantock Hills up for sale.
Keen walkers and environmentalists organised a demonstration from Taunton’s Vivary Park to County Hall in a bid to reverse the decision.
The decision to put Great Wood, Thorncombe Hill and Custom Common up for sale was announced last week, with council chiefs pledging to reinvest the cash into the region’s schools and roads.
But activists have expressed concerns over the “lack of public consultation,” with many believing these Somerset treasures need to be preserved for generations.
Harry Procter, who organised yesterday's (December 22) demo, told the County Gazette: “I am concerned about that they have gone about it with no public consultation. We found out about it by chance on TV.
“To release details like this at Christmas when nobody is really paying attention is sneaky.”
Diana Osborn, who regularly walks as part of a group with friends on the hills, echoed Mr Procter’s concerns.
She added: “I’m concerned that there was no public consultation and it seemed to come out in secret.
“I feel very strongly that the Quantocks belong to everybody and they should be preserved for future generations.”
However, Cllr David Huxtable, who is in charge of the sell-off, has reassured protesters that they “won’t even notice the difference” if the land was sold.
“I have spoken to several of them. I think there is a misunderstanding that we own all of the Quantocks, when in fact a lot of it is privately owned,” he told the County Gazette.
“When they are sold they won’t notice the difference, whoever buys it can’t go and put a fence up around it.”
Cllr Huxtable pointed out that the council had sold and given away £120million worth of assets this year.
Comments(11)
Bridgy old Boy
says...
10:50pm Fri 23 Dec 11
creecher
says...
6:38am Sat 24 Dec 11
Bridgy old Boy wrote:Don't you mean lucky Labours not in power or it would have been handed to a PFI.
Same old Tories flog off everything that moves they know the price of everything and the value of nothing
bts73
says...
11:40am Sat 24 Dec 11
jimee
says...
11:44am Sat 24 Dec 11
Samej1
says...
12:35pm Sat 24 Dec 11
"Announcement of the new Quantocks Championship Golf course, pushed past objections using the newly passed coalition planning rules.
Objections over the damage to the AONB were over-ruled once the land was de-designated, citing the lack of economic potential of the woodland and common land that has recently been sold to Digupthewoods Ltd.
Public access was originally due to be retained but it is expected that security worries will require a 10ft fence around the new course and access will now be members only."
Sounds fanciful doesn't it.... but don't reel in shock should something akin to this happen.
Dick Turpin Works For Council
says...
1:02pm Sat 24 Dec 11
Samej1 wrote:Good point Sameji1, Donald Trump may be looking to downsize his ambitions since his £750,000,000,000 Scottish venture has been put on hold!
Fast forward to Jan 2013....
"Announcement of the new Quantocks Championship Golf course, pushed past objections using the newly passed coalition planning rules.
Objections over the damage to the AONB were over-ruled once the land was de-designated, citing the lack of economic potential of the woodland and common land that has recently been sold to Digupthewoods Ltd.
Public access was originally due to be retained but it is expected that security worries will require a 10ft fence around the new course and access will now be members only."
Sounds fanciful doesn't it.... but don't reel in shock should something akin to this happen.
Dick Turpin Works For Council
says...
1:04pm Sat 24 Dec 11
£750,000,000 (seven hundred and fifty million).
My bad.
TM Cotford
says...
1:09pm Sat 24 Dec 11
Samej1 wrote:And there would still be room for a wind farm.......
Fast forward to Jan 2013....
"Announcement of the new Quantocks Championship Golf course, pushed past objections using the newly passed coalition planning rules.
Objections over the damage to the AONB were over-ruled once the land was de-designated, citing the lack of economic potential of the woodland and common land that has recently been sold to Digupthewoods Ltd.
Public access was originally due to be retained but it is expected that security worries will require a 10ft fence around the new course and access will now be members only."
Sounds fanciful doesn't it.... but don't reel in shock should something akin to this happen.
TheGrit76
says...
5:08pm Sun 25 Dec 11
apg7309
says...
10:14am Mon 26 Dec 11
"thank you for your e.mail below. There are no details of a proposed sale at this stage. The Council has a duty to advertise any possible disposals of public open space and consider any objections that may ensue from that process. If you have any objections to make in this regard then I would ask you to forward these to me prior to the deadline of 23 December 2011 and I will pass these to my client for consideration.
smokescreen or what!!!
Olires says...
6:47pm Fri 23 Dec 11