Mountfield

The Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting to discuss Southern Water’s planning application was held on Tuesday, April 22. It was a lively and well attended affair. The village hall was opened half an hour before the start of the meeting to allow people to see the actual hard copy plans and drawings.

Most of the meeting consisted of an “adjournment” — that is, an open session — where parishioners could discuss, ask questions and give their views. It is fair to say that, at the beginning, there was probably a roughly equal division between those for the scheme and those against. By the end, there was a clear majority feeling against the proposal. The shift in opinion came about for a number of reasons but there were two in particular.

First, not everyone had appreciated that it is not a question of whether Mountfield should have such a scheme or not. The Water Industries Act 1991 has been invoked and Southern Water (SW) now have “a statutory duty” to provide a solution. The genie can’t be stuffed back in the bottle: SW are now legally obliged to come up with the answer — and by 2016. The question, therefore, was whether the proposed solution is the right one in the right place.

Secondly, a number of speakers pointed out that there is what is apparently a much better site on the other side of the A2100 and that the owner of that site is prepared to sell to SW. This alternative site would solve just about every perceived problem with the current proposal at what was considered, against the overall infrastructure budget, no very great extra cost. If SW can make it work, it would provide Mountfield with all of the benefits with none of the snags.

When everyone had had their say, the Chairman, Jim Ray, closed the public session. Interestingly, everyone chose to stay and hear the discussion and vote. Having read all the documentation and heard the views of the public, Mountfield Parish Council voted unanimously to oppose the planning application as the right solution in the wrong place. In the days immediately after the meeting, councillors drafted and agreed a strongly worded objection (the wonders of email!). This objection can be seen on the parish council website (mountfield.org.uk). Anyone who does not have access to the internet can contact a parish councillor for a printed copy. Or your Village Voices can supply a copy — see contact detail below.

It’s all happening at the moment. On the appointed date, Kent lane (Mountfield Lane) suddenly looked like a military operation. Road blocks went up at the end of New Cut, by the village hall and at the far end in Hollingrove. Huge machines were trundled in, there were escort vehicles with flashing lights, lorries delivered raw materials in relays and the hi-vis uniforms of the Kent Lane Liberation Front were everywhere. And they have certainly cracked on with it. They worked a twelve hour day the first day even though many of the guys had been up since the early hours to get to here.

It has to be said that the contractors have been brilliant with the natives and, equally, they report that all the locals, delivery people, etc have been as good-natured and patient. It’s going to be worth it.

On a slightly smaller scale, Ruby reminds diners that the Lunch Club will be meeting as usual, even though Monday, May 5 is a bank holiday. As ever, if you can go, give Ruby a call soonest.

If you have anything for the Village Voice, you know where we are: 880614 (evenings) or [email protected].

Peter & Valerie Miles

[email protected]