Motoring giant accused of bullying over homes plans

12:30pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News By Melissa Hills

FORD has been accused of bullying after it sent a letter hitting out at councillors for refusing plans to build 450 homes near its Dunton site.

The motor giant and Bellway Homes, which wants to build the properties, sent a letter through Deloitte solicitors to Basildon Council’s planning committee.

It stated both organisations felt councillors had been “misled” and made their decision to reject the application based on “false or inaccurate information”.

Ford and Bellway want to build the homes on greenbelt land in Dunton, but their plans were refused at a planning meeting on June 12. The letter angered councillors, as it also said the applicants were now considering taking the decision to a planning appeal, which could cost the council thousands of pounds if it loses.

Phil Rackley, Labour councillor for St Martin’s ward, who sits on the planning committee, said: “The letter was a bit of a bullying tactic.

“It was quite shocking for the committee to receive it. But it is not unusual for applicants who have been refused to write to us with their views. The decision was perfectly sound. It was taken after a proper debate by the committee.

“The letter was Bellway’s and Ford’s way of trying to make the committee debate this again, but the decision has been made and we will be sticking to it.”

Because of the letter, the planning committee re-voted on the issue on Wednesday. But they refused the application for a second time, on the grounds it did not comply with council planning policy.

John Dornan, Tory councillor for Laindon Park and cabinet member for the environment, added: “I stand by everything I said at the first meeting. It is unfortunate the solicitors have produced this letter. In my opinion, they tried to influence the committee and undermine the good work of local councillors who have done their best on behalf of the people of Laindon.”

The council is currently consulting on a new planning blueprint for Basildon – which could pave the way for the development to eventually be approved. But, if agreed, that policy would not come into force until 2014.

The letter also stated Ford remained committed to the Dunton engineering centre.

It said: “The decision to progress a planning application on this land for residential development in no way means Ford is lessening its commitment to the Dunton Technical Centre.”

Comments (14)

1:16pm Fri 29 Jun 12

President3 says...

What's sauce for the DF goose, is sauce for the Ford gander!

Right decision.
What's sauce for the DF goose, is sauce for the Ford gander! Right decision. President3

2:36pm Fri 29 Jun 12

R85 says...

Echo you have to sort out those Debenhams adverts which pop up on many articles including this one! Whenever I click the cross to close them, a blank white square will be left in place of the advert - this then won’t go! This means I can never read whatever’s under that blank square where the ad used to be, no matter what I do! My complaint isn’t with the ad itself but the fact that you can’t clear it on the PC I’m using. I’d assume others would have this same prob!
Echo you have to sort out those Debenhams adverts which pop up on many articles including this one! Whenever I click the cross to close them, a blank white square will be left in place of the advert - this then won’t go! This means I can never read whatever’s under that blank square where the ad used to be, no matter what I do! My complaint isn’t with the ad itself but the fact that you can’t clear it on the PC I’m using. I’d assume others would have this same prob! R85

2:41pm Fri 29 Jun 12

SpiffSpaff84 says...

Why do ford want this so much?
Why do ford want this so much? SpiffSpaff84

3:32pm Fri 29 Jun 12

CALL ME CLINT says...

I imagine all the majority of people ask is that Basildon Council are consistent in their reviews of planning applications and there is nothing I can see in this decision that is inconsistent.
I imagine all the majority of people ask is that Basildon Council are consistent in their reviews of planning applications and there is nothing I can see in this decision that is inconsistent. CALL ME CLINT

4:34pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Blind Haze says...

R85 wrote:
Echo you have to sort out those Debenhams adverts which pop up on many articles including this one! Whenever I click the cross to close them, a blank white square will be left in place of the advert - this then won’t go! This means I can never read whatever’s under that blank square where the ad used to be, no matter what I do! My complaint isn’t with the ad itself but the fact that you can’t clear it on the PC I’m using. I’d assume others would have this same prob!
I agree - the problem is every other square inch was filled up with as many adverts as they could put together. The only place they could put more is over the story.
[quote][p][bold]R85[/bold] wrote: Echo you have to sort out those Debenhams adverts which pop up on many articles including this one! Whenever I click the cross to close them, a blank white square will be left in place of the advert - this then won’t go! This means I can never read whatever’s under that blank square where the ad used to be, no matter what I do! My complaint isn’t with the ad itself but the fact that you can’t clear it on the PC I’m using. I’d assume others would have this same prob![/p][/quote]I agree - the problem is every other square inch was filled up with as many adverts as they could put together. The only place they could put more is over the story. Blind Haze

4:56pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Last Poster says...

I love the point that "Laindon cannot stand much more." It could stand a new shopping centre for a start. I also wonder why the parks in Basildon can all be flooded with housing, Nethermayne is next on the list, for some "low density housing." The last bit of green in Ghyllgrove is due to look like "Flatlands" etc. etc. etc., but hey, Fords were instrumental in bringing down the entire Labour government a few years ago over a little difference about their right to pay their private sector workers a lot more than the 3.5% the already poorly paid nationalised industries were being limited to
9different song then eh?) and, when the government sanctioned Fords by cancelling the government van contracts, Fords forced and won a vote of no confidence into parliament, so watch it Basildon Council, this lot are not a few scallywag tinkers your dealing with. Fords might well bite you back!

Not all bad news then!
I love the point that "Laindon cannot stand much more." It could stand a new shopping centre for a start. I also wonder why the parks in Basildon can all be flooded with housing, Nethermayne is next on the list, for some "low density housing." The last bit of green in Ghyllgrove is due to look like "Flatlands" etc. etc. etc., but hey, Fords were instrumental in bringing down the entire Labour government a few years ago over a little difference about their right to pay their private sector workers a lot more than the 3.5% the already poorly paid nationalised industries were being limited to 9different song then eh?) and, when the government sanctioned Fords by cancelling the government van contracts, Fords forced and won a vote of no confidence into parliament, so watch it Basildon Council, this lot are not a few scallywag tinkers your dealing with. Fords might well bite you back! Not all bad news then! Last Poster

6:16pm Fri 29 Jun 12

CALL ME CLINT says...

@Last Poster:

"....scallywag tinkers"?

You'll be calling the foreman a clot next!
@Last Poster: "....scallywag tinkers"? You'll be calling the foreman a clot next! CALL ME CLINT

6:37pm Fri 29 Jun 12

UK Fan says...

Off topic...

Is there still someone out there surfing the web without an ad-blocker? I haven't seen an ad in years.
Off topic... Is there still someone out there surfing the web without an ad-blocker? I haven't seen an ad in years. UK Fan

6:56pm Fri 29 Jun 12

CALL ME CLINT says...

UK Fan wrote:
Off topic...

Is there still someone out there surfing the web without an ad-blocker? I haven't seen an ad in years.
Nor I funny enough and I am far from computer savvy.
[quote][p][bold]UK Fan[/bold] wrote: Off topic... Is there still someone out there surfing the web without an ad-blocker? I haven't seen an ad in years.[/p][/quote]Nor I funny enough and I am far from computer savvy. CALL ME CLINT

11:50am Sat 30 Jun 12

TheWizzard says...

Mozilla and safari have their own adblocker siftware which you can download
Mozilla and safari have their own adblocker siftware which you can download TheWizzard

12:42pm Sat 30 Jun 12

shallotman says...

Fords should have suggested Gloucester Park, might have had more success with it's application.
Fords should have suggested Gloucester Park, might have had more success with it's application. shallotman

12:55pm Sat 30 Jun 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

shallotman wrote:
Fords should have suggested Gloucester Park, might have had more success with it's application.
they should have laid on a few more pies
[quote][p][bold]shallotman[/bold] wrote: Fords should have suggested Gloucester Park, might have had more success with it's application.[/p][/quote]they should have laid on a few more pies The Cater Wood Creeper

3:53pm Sat 30 Jun 12

Last Poster says...

There's still a little bit of the park not gone yet!

Oh, and @ Call Me Clint :
I can call him a clot, because I was a Foreman and I know I was a clot, ergo?
There's still a little bit of the park not gone yet! Oh, and @ Call Me Clint : I can call him a clot, because I was a Foreman and I know I was a clot, ergo? Last Poster

5:19pm Sat 30 Jun 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

SpiffSpaff84 wrote:
Why do ford want this so much?
I bet it's not to bolster their employees' pension fund.....
[quote][p][bold]SpiffSpaff84[/bold] wrote: Why do ford want this so much?[/p][/quote]I bet it's not to bolster their employees' pension fund..... The Cater Wood Creeper

Comments are closed on this article.

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