Today I agreed to a meeting with DHA Planners with my other Ward member to discuss the "Hazelpits Farm" proposal. It is still a proposal, but its looking imminent and Richard and I oppose it;such as it is or appears to be!
Richard and I are also concerned about the whole "flavour of things" concerning Planning at present, so we have meetings throughout the day and with the Planning Officers this evening. Even the Chief Planning Officer is meeting us and representatives of the Parishes/Wards of the Suttons (East, Chart and Valence), tonight at 5pm-on a Friday! Another one with Headcorn only is planned soon.This can only be a good thing. Keen liaison and interaction with key players must be essential in the current context of things. Breaking down barriers and realising concerns are also important. This must be two-way. I will assume the, any, possible meeting with the DHA Planning people will at first be tough, but we have to start somewhere.
But confirming reality and being pragmatic with honest senses and perceptions can also be important; there are too many scaremongering tactics and hysteria based reactions appearing, and they all seem to lead to some wild accusations and pain for some. There could be something worth negotiating. The fact that certain people accuse Richard and I of doing nothing offends us, but we chose to be the elected members and sought that office, and we are NOT shying away. In fact we are tackling it head-on. This involves lots of meetings and regular acts of "getting on peoples nerves" such as our own Council Members, of all parties, Officers, Agencies and key organisations, working up the next meeting, setting agendas and informing people that the Headcorn Ward matters to us.
Richard and I are also concerned about the whole "flavour of things" concerning Planning at present, so we have meetings throughout the day and with the Planning Officers this evening. Even the Chief Planning Officer is meeting us and representatives of the Parishes/Wards of the Suttons (East, Chart and Valence), tonight at 5pm-on a Friday! Another one with Headcorn only is planned soon.This can only be a good thing. Keen liaison and interaction with key players must be essential in the current context of things. Breaking down barriers and realising concerns are also important. This must be two-way. I will assume the, any, possible meeting with the DHA Planning people will at first be tough, but we have to start somewhere.
But confirming reality and being pragmatic with honest senses and perceptions can also be important; there are too many scaremongering tactics and hysteria based reactions appearing, and they all seem to lead to some wild accusations and pain for some. There could be something worth negotiating. The fact that certain people accuse Richard and I of doing nothing offends us, but we chose to be the elected members and sought that office, and we are NOT shying away. In fact we are tackling it head-on. This involves lots of meetings and regular acts of "getting on peoples nerves" such as our own Council Members, of all parties, Officers, Agencies and key organisations, working up the next meeting, setting agendas and informing people that the Headcorn Ward matters to us.
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