Future of Canvey Christmas tree in jeopardy (From Echo)

Future of Canvey Christmas tree in jeopardy

9:30am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By Jacqueline McMillan

Disappointed - councillor Alan Acott and councillor Dave Blackwell with the flags outside Canvey library

CHRISTMAS in Canvey could be in jeopardy due to Olympic flags.

Castle Point Council has installed Olympic banners outside three key venues in the borough in celebration of Hadleigh Farm playing host to the Olympic mountain biking event in August.

Five flags were placed outside the council offices in Thundersley, Castle View School in Foksville Road, Canvey, and Canvey Library in High Road.

Now, the authority has submitted an application to its planning department to keep them installed on a permanent basis.

However, if approved, Canvey Town Council would no longer be able to put up the town Christmas tree which is situated outside the library every year.

Dave Blackwell, town councillor and leader of the Canvey Independent Party, said: “We have always had a huge Christmas tree up outside the library because it really gets people into the spirit and brightens up the town. A lot of people will be disappointed if we’re forced to take it away.

“I just cannot believe the council would not have thought of this prior to submitting this application, it’s crazy. Special arrangements were carried out to make this a permanent fixture. I mean how long can we carry on celebrating the Olympics.”

In 2008, works were undertaken to secure the Christmas tree permanently in that location, and install an electricity supply to enable it to have decorative lights.

The town council maintains there is nowhere else in the town it could be located which could accommodate the dozens of resident who turn up for the Christmas light switch on event each year.

However, council officers have not classified these as valid reasons for refusing the application and have recommend they be given the go ahead.

A spokesman for Castle Point Council said: “The Council is in discussion with Canvey Town Council on representations they have made on the application to retain the flag poles.

“We will update the Development Control Committee on the outcome of these discussions on Tuesday (Oct 31) evening at the Development Control meeting.”

The meeting will take place from 7:30pm at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley.