In a letter to Trish Godman dated the 28 January 2008 (we thinks he means February) Bob Darracot, Director of Planning admits "negotiations regarding this matter and other detailed aspects of the appliaction are continuing".  The matter referred to is whether the development should be a low density development for homes suitable for elderly or socially disadvantaged people.

HALL asks:

What is there to negoitate?  They are either suitable for elderly or socially disadvantaged or they are not.  It is no mystery what consttutes a lifelong home for elderly people or who looks after social housing. 

But more importantly why is the planning authority negotiating with the applicant?  What earthly reasoning could suggest that this can be a proper thing to do?  

What is the consideration?  Is it the receipt from selling the land?  It can't be because David Martins tells us that it would be just wrong for that to be the case.

HALL says:

Sadly we come to the conclusion that the Gryffe Valley is just seen as an income stream by the Council - just a good source of Council Tax and now open space which is worth a lot for houses.  We have presented every argument objectively and we have had over a 1,000 hits on to this web-site and much praise for what we have done.

The Darracot letter is a slap in the face for us - but it is also a slap in the face for the people of Houston.

We have a lot of support to carry on the fight to get a better deal for the villages in Gryffe Valley.