Gobsmacked over Burnley Wood plans

I see once again our MP is attempting to mislead the public over events in Burnley Wood concerning Glebe Street Community Centre, where they, the Lib-Dems, lost the vote again. He then claims he can’t understand why. He then states the residents want to keep it. Keepmoat have confirmed they will incorporate it into the scheme but the council is determined on demolition and giving over the land.

Well, to be honest, I am totally gobsmacked by this statement. I feel the utmost sympathy for the residents. Mainly because this is such a blatant attempt to turn the entire situation on its head, causing massive amounts of confusion to all concerned, but do they care? Not a bit of it. Let me explain one or two small facts this column fails to mention.

Since August 21st, 2007, there have been seven Executive meetings concerning Burnley Wood redevelopment plans, the first of which was held on the above date, where it was agreed in principal the council would enter into a OAD with Keepmoat. Another Executive meeting on September 25th, 2007 was held to determine sites for development in Burnley Wood with Keepmoat as the key development partner.

December 11th, 2007, showed the Executive content for the land proposed for residential redevelopment to be made available for new housing.

January 12th, 2010, confirmed the Executive were content for the land, including Glebe Street Recreation Ground and Burnley Wood playbuilding to be identified as available for new housing. This being consistent with Executive decisions made in 2007.

June 26th, 2010, showing Executive determination that an area action plan be approved as the council’s final plans for these areas of Burnley Wood, to be used as the basis for making decisions, such as comp purchase orders.

I could go on but I feel this should be a basis for understanding why these events are taking place. All the above are facts taken from public documents available to anyone wishing to read them and what makes this even more appalinng is the fact that, in the first four of the above meetings, you were chaiman.

Oh you understand all right, it is quite obvious that during that entire period you didn’t take any notice whatsoever of residents’ wishes, but you are now trying to turn things around for simple political expediency. And, before I forget, present at every meeting was one Jeff Sumner, a man I will never ever put credence in again.

K. Royle

Burnley