I’ll not be brainwashed over airport decision (From Echo)
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I’ll not be brainwashed over airport decision
2:55pm Monday 4th January 2010 in News
I object to being called a “stooge” by Mike Hansford (Dec 18).
I am one of the 17 members of Southend Council’s development control committee who will make a decision on the airport.
My decision will be made on the planning application and the data submitted with it. I will consider this alongside the various planning control policies and guidance documents that Southend Council has.
I will, of course, take into consideration the many emails, letters and phone calls that I have received from both objectors and supporters of this application.
My answer to these people has been the same – I have noted their views, but am unable to comment as to my own persuasion.
The training I have received over the years is from external agencies as well as internal.
There is no brainwashing.
I will make my own decision based on facts.
It is a pity that, although Mr Hansford is entitled to his opinion, it would be better to be based on facts, not ignorance.
Mike Grimwade
Councillor, Prittlewell Ward
Eastwood Old Road
Leigh
Comments(2)
BASILBRUSH
says...
9:01am Thu 7 Jan 10
You keep harping on that they have voted on high growth option therefore have voted on favour of the extension and must be bias. That is manipulating the facts.
JAAP was a consultation. Any consents still have to be scrutinised and approved before it can happen.
Have you actually read the planning documents Denis? Last time I read them they included noise surveys from DEFRA etc.
I am sure the consultants commissioned to carry out the reports would love to hear you say they have lied about the facts.
The airport does have consequences for the area. It's called moving forward. Providing the area with jobs and encouraging investment.
It's about bringing an existing facility upto modern safety standards through that investment.
It's encouraging to see your groups latest barage through letters and comments. It's demonstrating a desperate minority with a dwindling reason to exist.
Denis Walker says...
9:28pm Mon 4 Jan 10
No-where in this process is there any independent analysis that presents an unbiased and informed view of all the relevant issues. The planning officers are unable to offer this as they are clearly biased, as evidenced by their selection of the high growth scenario as the Council's preferred option and they are not informed on the details of airport safety, aircraft noise, or, for example, the impact of aircraft noise on children's learning. Nor would we expect them to be as they don't have to take these things into consideration in their normal daily jobs.
The planning application to extend the runway has far-reaching consequences for the whole of the Southend and Rochford populations and it is for this reason that it should be examined by a Public Inquiry to which expert witnesses can be called and not by a small minority of the Councillors who will not, whatever training they have received, have the expertise required for this decision.