WHAT A FARCE!

Read about the public meeting on Saturday 24th September

By keeping its meeting as secret as possible the Environment Agency yet again underestimated the determination of its neighbours to make their voices heard.

It notified only the smallest number of local residents, failed to invite even the chairman of the Creek Residents Association, ignored the embattled residents of Wheatley's Eyot and held its so called 'meeting', in the attic of an outhouse behind the Sunbury Arts Centre more than a mile away and more difficult to reach for residents of the affected area.

By 10 am when the doors opened the crowd was far too great to allow most to enter the tiny room up a dangerously steep flight of stairs.  Several left in disgust whilst others gathered outside or blocked the stairway to the already crowded room. 

The local 'jungle telegraph' had ensured that the many residents they hoped would not know of the meeting or might be deterred had turned up in force.

The crowd was an angry one, not just because of the inadequacy of the Agency in arranging this so called public forum but because of its continued disregard, even contempt, for local people.  As people left - few stayed very long even if they got in to see the display that the Agency had laid on - there were expressions ranging from disgust to sheer amazement at their plans for the site - or to be fair - lack of actual plans. 

Outside members of the Wheatley's Eyot Residents group distributed their leaflet outlining the intimidating and exorbitant charges to be levied on the residents to use the pathway to their homes. (detailed on previous page)  Several residents made their views on this and the plans to sell the site in strong terms to the few Environment Agency representatives who were present.  As usual the more senior management of the Agency had run for cover and obviously considered that the matter was of such little importance that their exalted presence was not necessary.  Those who were left to answer questions had no real answers and displayed little knowledge of the plans.  Surprisingly perhaps they even seemed unaware of the charges to use the path.

The Agency claims that it is seeking to gather local views to assist in making a decision about the future of the site.  THAT IS A LIE.  It has already taken the decision to sell the site to a developer and that means for the eventual building of a housing estate.   How do we know this? Fairly obvious really from the Agency's literature which tells us that a private developer will put forward plans and we could then 'object'.  Some 'consultation' that!



Let the Environment Agency put forward its true plans for the site to the local residents before there is any deal done to sell this site. Let ALL those who live in the properties surrounding and affected by this site give their ,"Yes" or "No" to such plans.

If the Agency obtains a majority in support then it can claim to have a mandate to progress its plans.  If those who oppose such a development hold the majority then such plans will not proceed.               

Please email us with your views and we will add suitable ones to the web-site as it progresses

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