Serious dilemma!

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10 August 2009 at 08:12 #22511
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
Developers have applied for planning permission to develop our boating area!

The Club house will be swept away and what is more serious…… is that they want to install hydro electricity generating plants….using the lakes as the source of energy.

History seems to be repeating itself here!…………..The lakes were created, in the first place, to drive the cotton mill`s waterwheel!…………..The Developers are relying on this fact…………..to swing the case!

The serious dilemma is………why should a model boat club oppose such an ambitious plan, to generate electricity……………green energy at that too!

We`ve got until this Thursday to get our objections in!

Bob
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10 August 2009 at 08:12 #3393
Bob Abell 2
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@bobabell2
10 August 2009 at 08:21 #22512
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hi Bob

As an ex developer I understand the planning process and the “tricks” that developers use to swing an application.

What is the exact nature of the application?

Paul
10 August 2009 at 08:34 #22513
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
The first thing to do is buy some time by putting in an objection on the grounds of loosing a long standing public amenity that is enjoyed by many, then start a petition and get as many people to register their objection.

Get the local press involved with a story about the happy and peaceful retirement of poor senior citizens being brushed aside by a heartless developer.

Finally look into the hydro plans and find out just how much power will be generated and who will actually benefit from this plan both with the power and the cash from selling the power.
10 August 2009 at 08:42 #22514
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Paul

Don`t know the full extent of the development, we are supposed to visit the Town Hall somewhere. It was proposed about 2 years ago and shelved……………..now it`s come back to haunt us!

The mill complex will be demolished and offices and flats are proposed……..along with the hydro scheme, our club is affected by increase in water level, swamping the steel landing stage and a water flow problem, which I think we`ll get round…………………So I see no reason to object?

Bob
10 August 2009 at 08:48 #22516
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
If the Powers that be want to carry out this development then they will do so. An objection from a model boating club, simply will not “hold water”, if you will excuse the pun!!!
10 August 2009 at 08:49 #22517
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
There are many people involved………………100`s of fishermen……….dozens of full size sailing yachts and crew…………………hundreds of dog walkers……..us lot, of course…………….wild life enthusiasts………………….hundreds of walkers……….the photographers and local historians……..a popular place for the handicapped fraternity to visit and turn up by the bus load!……………..the cafeteria and staff……….and a meeting place for the hooligans!

The Developers don`t stand a chance!

Bob
10 August 2009 at 09:06 #22518
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Bob

When wishing to build flats and offices in a sensitive area a developer will propose a “sweetener” such as a children’s play area, village hall, public park etc or in this case a very green hydro power plant.

However after the flats and offices have been completed the developer has run out of money and so the sweetener never gets built.

It’s an old trick that I have used a few times and it never fails……especially when the sweetener was never in the budget.
10 August 2009 at 09:18 #22519
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
That sounds like a cunning plan, my Lord?
10 August 2009 at 09:54 #22520
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
The downside of being a smart ar*e is that I know that the developer won’t give up and even if the local planners reject the plan the developer will go to the government inspector / home office.

You will need a huge lobby to fight them.

There selling point will be a sustainable, self powered development…which is rubbish as the power is sold direct to the grid and the carbon cost of the total development will far outway any green gain by the hydro plant.

If I were still in the game I would use a “green” fop to sweeten the planners.

Paul
10 August 2009 at 11:09 #22522
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
Posted by The Fat Controller on 10/08/2009 09:06:00:

Bob

However after the flats and offices have been completed the developer has run out of money and so the sweetener never gets built.

It’s an old trick that I have used a few times and it never fails……especially when the sweetener was never in the budget.

#######################

Once bitte trwice shy, a developer did that once in the area , next time they were made to pay a very large sum to cover the cost of the sweetner before hand. (in this case road improvement)

So in any objection insist that this is done.

Edited By The Long Build on 10/08/2009 11:10:06
10 August 2009 at 18:01 #22529
Colin Miller
Participant
@colinmiller68338
Bob,

2 questions,

Where are you located?

and

Are the developers just after making the lake into a Hydro-electric plant?
10 August 2009 at 18:40 #22532
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Colin

We`re based at Compstall……near Stockport

All I know, is that the Developers want to make use of the water, which has approx a 50 feet head

Bob
10 August 2009 at 22:37 #22546
Colin Miller
Participant
@colinmiller68338
HI there Bob,

If I was you I would contact the local electricity company as they have the

input for the hydro unit not the development people.

BUT unfortunatley your is United Utilites who have no say in anything (long story)

MY other suggestion is to form a user group with a representative from each user of the water then get a meeting between the developers and the group to see what their plans are.Also check with the council to ensure they are aware that their are users of the water.

this may sound sdaft but our council sold our park to developers and didn’t know their were football teams using the park as well as us using the pond. they did know there was a changing room and football pitches and a boat club house and pond but never knew they were used as they don’t have the records of this. our outcome is we are getting a new club house in keping with the new development.

Try checking with the developers and see what their plans are they maybe interested in

including you to their plans as it is good for the communtiy to have established clubs in the area also get the fishing guys to keep telling them it is carp in the water they catch and put back as carp eat the algae and weed so that it keeps the maintenance of the water to a minimum for the developers
11 August 2009 at 06:04 #22550
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thanks Colin

It`s club night tomorrow……………..Will get up to date and report back.

Your council sound a right shower of Gorps!…btw

I don`t think we`ll suffer too much, we share the same facilities with the full size sailing club

Thanks for your comments……….Bob
11 August 2009 at 06:19 #22554
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Isn’t the loss of your superb club house a little bit of suffering?
11 August 2009 at 06:23 #22555
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hi Paul

I`m assuming it`ll be replaced!…………….You wait and see!

Bob
11 August 2009 at 06:36 #22556
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Morning Bob

If I were the developer I would undertake to replace your clubhouse………with a super air-conditioned state of the art building with free power from the hydro plant……..

and every day would be sunny, there would be no more war….or hunger…………………(see my previous postings)

Paul
11 August 2009 at 07:36 #22559
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thank you………Paul Lennon

Sounds ok to me!…………………Being totally optimystic…………….Things can only get better!

Bob …………………Looking into the future with a hopeful smile and a round `o toast!
11 August 2009 at 08:38 #22562
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Sorry Bob

I mean its an empty gesture as being the developer I would have no intention of giving you anything.

Paul
11 August 2009 at 19:17 #22574
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Gosh, model boaters holding up a very green development?? Pah!

The lads local scout hall is under similar pressure (council selling off the community hall and the scout hall is out the back). Same everywhere. Soon, there will be NO community facilities, and they will wonder why the local yoofs hang around vandalising stuff.

A large development on ex-school land nearby demolished the hut the Molesey Scalextric club had been using for donkeys years, but part of the agreement was they replace it. They now have a beautiful state-of-the-art large bare room with lighting (ok, and a loo and a sink)

Replacing a pond is a bit more difficult and expensive, unless you end up with some boring rectangular concrete shallow swimming pool.

Ashley
17 August 2009 at 11:21 #22694
Colin Miller
Participant
@colinmiller68338
is there any updates Bob?????
17 August 2009 at 11:39 #22695
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Colin

Just waiting for Duckies report, he went to the club meeting last Wednesday.

Got a feeling, it`ll all fizzle out!………But!!!!!!…………………

Just heard that New Brighton will be losing their boating pool to a supermarket!

How ridiculous!…………When there`s acres of space inland!

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?

Angry Bob
7 September 2009 at 15:06 #23030
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Latest news

The project is still going ahead, but will not affect the club`s activities……..Phew, that was a close one!

The Hydro electic equipment will be sited half a mile away

Bob
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