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Last updated Monday August 25, 2008

In The Press May 2007 - May 2011

Links in this page: The Staffordshire Newsletter  The Stafford Post   Other Achieve

Campaigns Ivan is involved with locally and nationally

The Staffordshire Newsletter

Staffordshire Newsletter, June 5th 2008, Village Hall AGM - Community News Section - Cotes Heath

A new committee has been elected with Councillor Ivan Jennings as Chairman of the Village Hall committee, Lisa Williams as Vice Chair, Linda Mathews as treasurer, Joanna Jones as secretary and Matt Richardson as Events Manager.  Organisational representatives were nominated from local groups and a financial statement for the year was presented. An ordinary meeting followed the annual meeting when it was decided to cease the fund-raising village pub evening on Fridays; the CCTV system is to be upgraded and a new vacuum cleaner will be purchased for the cleaner.

Flooring in the small hall has been laid, thanks to a grant from councillor Henry Butter and consideration is being given to applying for a further grant through Stafford Borough Council for maintenance to the fencing and gates surrounding the land owned by the hall.

The next village hall meeting is on June 24 at 7:30pm.

Staffordshire Newsletter, May 22nd 2008, Letters to the Editor Section - Views are valid - We are just taking up the issues in different ways

I am writing in response to the letter “Get us jobs” from Mr Frank James of Crab Lane.  Mr James acknowledges the work done by myself and my colleagues in the campaign to try and keep open local post offices where the community asset is being threatened with closure due to the government policy, which comes after the government moved a lot of the old functions from the post office to other government branches.  Mr James suggests our time would be better spent trying to keep open local pubs and bring employment to the area.

Though I would not suggest there is an either or here I would otherwise agree with the gentleman.  Indeed the village hall where I am chairman runs a bar to try and keep the community spirit (pun intended) that the three pubs in the area that have closed one by one used to offer, that I set up a number of years ago with profits going to charity.  In fact due to different circumstances and reasons the village in question has also lost the shop, meaning all that remains is the post office, which has been moved (some time ago) to the Mill as a secondary function for that business.  With regard to this we are also looking, in collaboration with the Cotes Heath and Swynnerton Branch of Stafford and Rural Homes Tenants and Residents committee, with providing a village shop area.

I would also agree with the gentleman that we need to encourage businesses in the area, both those already based in Stafford but also those that wish to come here to trade, therefore helping with employment in the vicinity, in each case though it is important that a suitable site is found.  To some degree though this is a slightly different matter to the Post Offices, which as a nationalised industry did not have full control over its own dealings that had a number of different functions taken off it.  These were either given to other government departments or are now mainly done online.  For this reason the fact that they are now in trouble is in my opinion partially due to the interference of the government, who now are voting to close them.  All of these points made by Mr James are completely valid and things that we are taking up in different ways.  The Post Office Campaign as a national campaign just happens to be the most recent and the one that has drawn the most publicity, possibly because the Post Offices are seen as community assets by those people that use them as well as companies where they are customers.

Staffordshire Newsletter, May 15th 2008, Village Sport Bid - Gail Atkinson

Sports fans in Eccleshall could soon have something to cheer about if a bid for new facilities is successful.  Borough Councillor Ivan Jennings wants to develop new facilities including two new pitches and a bowling green.  Talks are ongoing but Councillor Jennings said he would be making an announcement in August.

My Press Statement To Reporters on 13th May 2008:

Leisure Provision in Eccleshall

Staffordshire Newsletter, April 17th 2008, Letters to the Editor Section - Town Investment

As a resident of Stafford Town and a Stafford Borough Councillor, the billion pounds worth of investment in Stafford is an amazing landmark and I certainly will be taking the opportunity on April 24th to visit "Stafford Renewed", which runs till the 26th to see all of the proposals for the town in one place, some of which I have seen individually, but I am looking forward to seeing how they will interact with each other.  I would like to add it just goes to show that Margaret Thatcher was correct when she announced "Everyone wants to be where the Conservatives are".

Staffordshire Newsletter, April 3rd 2008, Locations of five town post offices facing the axe unveiled

Story was based around the press release by Borough Councillor Ivan Jennings and Matt Richards Chair of Eccleshall and Stone CF.

Staffordshire Newsletter, April 3rd 2008, Row as victorious council told to pay planning appeal costs

A row has broken out after councillors and officers blamed each other as Stafford Borough Council was told to pay costs for a planning appeal, even though the appeal was dismissed.  The authority does not yet know how much it will have to pay but officers say councillors need to justify their reasons for refusing applications in the event of an appeal.  Developers Thomas Jones and Sons appealed after the authorities development control committee rejected an application to build four houses in the flood-prone Green Lane area of Eccleshall.  The council cited flooding, its space about dwellings (SAD) policy, noise and access, in its decision not to grant planning permission.  Officers had originally recommended the application be approved although some 39 residents objected saying they had been flooded several times already.  Planning inspector Ken Smith dismissed the appeal solely on the subject of outlook (SAD).  He found for the appellant on the issues of noise, access and flooding.  His report said " The planning authority is expected to produce evidence to substantiate each reason for refusal. While planning authorities are not bound to adopt the professional advice of their officers, they are expected to show that they had reasonable planning grounds for taking a decision contrary to such advice."  Development control manager John Holmes told a meeting of the committee; "We are probably likely to get a revised application which will be amended to be in line with the inspector's comments.  If we want to turn applications down on things like that, we are going to need technical advice.  We need to be careful what we are refusing applications for.  If we can come up with one good reason maybe we should stick with what we can substantiate."

Fulford ward member Councillor Richard Oldfield said: "You have to obtain technical advice prior to the meeting or delay a decision."  His committee colleague Councillor Ann Edgeller said: "The problem we have on this committee sometimes is we can't make a decision until we have listened to all the evidence."  After the meeting Eccleshall Ward Councillor Ivan Jennings said the council had not put up a fight at the planning hearing "in my opinion we won on the points we did mainly due to representation from myself and residents." He said. (Click Here for Development Control Page)

Staffordshire Newsletter, April 3rd 2008, Letters to the Editor Section - Post Office Closure

At a time when many people in the area, especially in more rural area’s but I would suggest in the towns also, are worried about the decline of the postal service and its survival the house of commons held two votes on this subject at 18:45 on the 19^th March. The first was a government proposition commending the government’s action in this matter.  The second was a conservative amendment designed to call upon the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to instruct Post Office Limited to suspend the compulsory closure of sub-post offices while these issues are re-assessed.  The idea of this vote was to ensure that no irreversible action, such as closing post office branches prior to adequate consultation, was taken, especially as the consultation period is only six weeks rather than the three months that was recommended to the government.

       So how did your MP’s actually vote?  Well I checked www.theyworkforyou.com and double checked on www.publicwhip.org.uk the voting record for both of the local MP’s on this issue.  With no surprise I found that the Stafford MP David Kidney voted for the first motion and against the second meaning that David Kidney MP voted for the closure of the post offices effected in his area twice to all intense and purpose, staying loyal to the government and its plan rather than his constituents with concerns.  Bill Cash MP for Stone voted less surprisingly against the first proposal and in favour of the conservative amendment, therefore in support of saving post offices effected.

 Though I understand it is easier for a conservative MP to vote against the Labour Government on the initial matter, I find it very hard to understand why an MP of any persuasion would not be able to vote to request that closures were suspended whilst consultation went on, which is what the conservative amendment called upon the secretary of state to request.  My only conclusion from this evidence, which is there for us all to see, has to be that as far as the Labour government is concerned this is a matter of fate e comple.

Staffordshire Newsletter, March 27th 2008, Letters to the Editor Section

I have over recent weeks been looking into energy and power supply, visiting the Biomass Plant at Eccleshall with fellow councillors as well as wind farms in North Wales and other such facilities elsewhere.  It could be said the developed world is currently dependant on the members of OPEC, who control oil exportation.  We all know that a large proportion of our fuel price is government taxation, and also that we are paying the highest taxation in general we ever have, something that, with the budget still in the news, we are all acutely aware of, especially when Government Minister Ed Balls is quoted as saying “so what” to this fact.  Back to tax on fuel specifically in the UK 55% of the price we pay is tax compared to other G7 countries; 26% in the USA, 30% in Canada, 38% in Japan, 49% in Germany 53% in Italy and 53% in France. (Information supplied by OPEC).  There are however renewable alternatives, which can be used alone or as a mix with diesel that can be produced here in the UK, such as VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) or RME (Rape methyl ester), but currently we are along way from bringing these properly online.  These would have two advantages over crude oil use alone.  Firstly there are the environmental advantages and secondly there are of course economic advantages as it would reduce import expenditure and improve investment in British produce, simultaneously creating jobs.  Both of which could be brought on line relatively quickly and incentives introduced for Shell, BP and other companies mixing a 50/50 combination at source.  This would also help safeguard the productivity value of some of our countryside.

As former American president John F Kennedy said, “Our problems are man made, therefore they can also be solved by man.”

Staffordshire Newsletter, March 6th 2008, Flood residents in homes protest - By Gail Atkinson

Residents in Eccleshall will have to wait another two weeks to find out if four houses will be built in a flood-prone area of the village.  Householders from Green Lane, Linacre Road and the surrounding area attended an appeal hearing into an application by developers Thomas Jones and Sons, which was refused by Stafford Borough Council in June last year.  Some 39 residents objected when the application was submitted, saying they had been flooded several times already.  Officers originally recommended approval of the scheme, but members of the authorities development control committee rejected it because of the impact on adjacent properties.  Ken Smith, chairman of the hearing was shown a video of water coursing through one of the neighbouring houses during a previous flood.  Resident Tony Roberts, of Linacre Road, Eccleshall, said: "It would appear that the (drainage) system is really up to capacity at the present time."  Drainage engineer for the developer Peter Mason said there would be an underground pumping system for foul water drainage, which would be maintained by a management company.  He added: "We are trying to mitigate as much of the flood risk as we can and trying to minimise the occurrence of the flooding that's occurred in the past.  There's a lot of spare capacity within the system."  Ward Councillor Ivan Jennings said: "The reason for this (the previous floods) is literally volume.  What we currently have is a small driveway and a bit of an area of grassland that stops or slows down some of the flow."  The decision is expected in the next two weeks.

Staffordshire Newsletter, March 6th 2008, Letters to the Editor Section

After the insane ranting of Dr Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury about adoption of Sharia law in this country, without contemplation I am sure of what his stupid stance would actually lead too if implemented, it was nice to read in your paper the well thought out and balanced statement from the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, the Bishop of Lichfield, on how the downplaying of the institution of marriage, one of the pillars of our society, has completely failed.  We do now unfortunately have a policy for all our police officers to have training on Sharia law allegedly (Daily Express Friday 29^th), which is just another complete waist of tax payers money as even once they know it there job is to enforce the British, Christian based, Law that, thank goodness, is still the law of the land in this great nation.  With also the revelation of Prince Harry being out in Afghanistan, after he insisted on it when it would have been easy for him to take an easier deployment, it seems all is not lost, with the prince now being one of the first positive male role models of our generation and common sense at least coming from Lichfield if not Canterbury. Blog

Comment about the above letter from two Eccleshall residents: "Nice to see some common sense from politicians"

Staffordshire Newsletter, February 28th 2008, Letters to the Editor Section - Vote Tory to stop this cycle

It is that time of the year again and the different authorities are publicising what increases they are proposing for their section of the council tax. The Labour controlled County Council as readers will be aware have had a big increase in their government grant, however they are still putting forward a council tax increase of four per cent (for their section, which is the largest and so has the biggest impact on council tax payers).  The residents and council taxpayers of the Staffordshire area have had over a decade of Labours tax hikes with cuts in services along the way.  One recent cut of course is the decision over their retirement homes.  So is there another option to this cycle of tax hikes followed by waste followed by cuts?

The Conservative Group on the County Council put forward an amendment to the Labour increase of four percent.  Conservatives proposed to have only a 2.5 percent increase in their section of the council tax and also proposed a package of efficiency savings worth £7.5 million so that an extra £3.5 million could be pushed into frontline services (this includes an extra £1.5 million into road maintenance, £1 million into schools and reducing anti-social behaviour and a further £1 million into funding more community support officers).

So what happened?  Well it was very close with the vote coming in 30-23, Labour only defeating the amendment by 7 votes.  For people thinking, well there are more than 53 councillors in the county, yes some were not there but also as normal the Liberal Democrats took their position and sat on the fence, abstaining from the vote.  What I believe this shows us is that it is pointless voting Liberal as they can’t make the important decisions and if you believe you are paying to much in council tax increases and getting less and less each year from the County Council for what you pay then a Conservative vote at the next elections is your way of stopping the cycle.

Staffordshire Newsletter, February 21st 2008, Homes Protesters Intensify Fight - By Gail Atkinson

Residents campaigning against the building of four houses in a flood-prone area of Eccleshall are stepping up their fight.  Householders in Green Lane and near by Linacre Road have launched a petition against the plans, which will go before a government inspector next month.  Proposals include plans to run surface water past an electrical substation between two houses on Linacre Road.  Stafford Borough Council's development control committee rejected the application for the site in Green Lane last June, in spite of officer recommendation to approve it.

Developers Thomas Jones and Sons subsequently amended their plans to provide a run-off for extra water in extreme weather.  Three previous applications to build a single property at the site were refused, two of which were later dismissed on appeal because of the impact on adjacent properties.  One resident, Ann Stockton, said: "The floor of these houses will be higher than my garden, and where will the water go?  They say if there is excess water they will divert it between the two houses but there is an electricity substation there."

Ward Borough Councillor Ivan Jennings said: "A lot of the residents thought because the council said no that was an end to the matter, but the decision won't be made until the inspector comes to Stafford."

The village was hit by severe floods in last summer's downpours.  Anyone who would like to sign the petition can print one off from the planning and development control page of Councillor Jennings' website www.ivanjennings.co.uk. Completed forms should be returned to him at Stafford Borough Council by March 4th.

Staffordshire Newsletter, February 14th 2008, Letters to the Editor section - Check Your Bin Dates

You Can now get the dates of your new waste collection, information on planning related to your property, who your local councillors are and where your local polling station is by following the link provided on the Borough Services page of www.ivanjennings.co.uk no matter where you live in the Borough.

The actual page to find the link is www.ivanjennings.co.uk/borough_services Just enter your postcode and house number and you can find information about the day your bins will be collected and a link to the bin collection calendar for your property.

Staffordshire Newsletter, January 31st 2008, Anger over speed limit ruling delay - By Gail Atkinson

A STAFFORD borough councillor has accused highway chiefs of "failure of duty" for deferring a decision to reduce the speed limit on a black spot road.  Ivan Jennings is furious that Staffordshire County Council is to take no action on the A519 through Cotes Heath.  In November, the authority conducted a speed survey on the road, which has been the site of several accidents in recent years.  A letter from the highways department following the survey said there had been six accidents in Cotes Heath in the three-year period from 2004 - all recorded as slight injury accidents.  It added: "The data would appear to support the case for a 50 miles an hour speed limit, and a 40 mile an hour limit may not be entirely out of the question.  "However the county council as a highway authority is required to undertake a review of speed limits on all A and B roads by 2011 and the general policy at the moment is not to proceed with reviews at individual sites in advance of the county-wide review. I do not, therefore, think it would be appropriate at this stage to proceed with a 50 mile an hour limit in case the review were to find that a 40 mile an hour limit would be appropriate at a later date."  Joanne Jones, chairman of Cotes Heath and Standon residents group, said: "Everybody is bemused by the fact we now have to wait for this survey across all A roads. Why do we have to wait when we now have the evidence.  "The survey agrees with what we have said, yet still nothing is being done."  Councillor Jennings said: "For the county council not to implement something their own report and survey shows is needed, and that they are legally bound to do as our highway authority, is bordering on complete and utter failure of duty of care to those in the county and others who use our road system."  The county-wide review has already begun and has to be finished by 2011.

Staffordshire Newsletter, January 17th 2008, Nostalgia Notebook - in 1980.....

GREAT Bridgeford mother Mrs M Jennings expressed thanks to those who had rushed her baby son Ivan from their home at Lilac Close to the Stafford General for an emergency heart operation.

Staffordshire Newsletter, December 27th 2007, Letters to the Editor section - Has service idea progressed?

Some time ago now the Government announced that it was looking to bring in a form of national service.  Not restricted to military service but with a range of options for people to select from, but all based on things that would encourage both individual growth and also contribute towards society or for example help charities.  The Conservative party just prior to this government announcement also put a very similar idea forward.  I have just returned from Tunisia where national service can be done any time between the ages of 20 and 35 and is for a duration of one year.  A spread time similar to this could also be incorporated to fit in with different life styles and career paths of the individuals.  I would like to enquire of David Kidney MP on the progress of this superb idea.  At this time of the year in particular we think of charities and how we can help those less fortunate than us.  I believe implementation of this policy would go a long way in helping.

 I wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope that the New Year holds everything that you wish for.

Staffordshire Newsletter, December 20th 2007, Letters to the Editor section - Its better late than never

I would like to thank David Kidney MP for his reply to my initial letter on the state of the military covenant and the assurances that he gave.  It is even more promising to read in the news that Gordon Brown has stated that the war in Afghanistan is being won and insurgents being eradicated and neutralised. Plus that he could announce an extra £450 million for development funding of the country and also more equipment for our troops, including 150 new protected patrol vehicles and extra Sea King helicopters.  It is also welcomed that the PM is urging President Karzai to press ahead with "targeted eradication" policies against the poppy crop in Helmand. I still think it a shame that they had to wait till now for the equipment that they need after being deployed for such along time but better late than never. Click Here for Bill Cash MP "Politically Speaking" from 14th March 2008

Staffordshire Newsletter, November 15th 2007, Letters to the Editor section - Brave forces deserve our support

            I read with great interest your report on three of the regions Members of Parliament.  I will start with the obvious contrast between Mr Kidney and both Mr Cash MP and Mr Wright MP.  The breakdown of how Mr Kidney manages to cost the taxpayer £198,676 per annum, whereas Mr Cash costs us £129,400 plus his salary (not given), with Mr Wright £126,875 plus his salary (not given).  Mr Kidney it states is the 313^th in the list of who is paid/claims the most as a member of parliament.  The motivation for writing to you is to ask the following of those MP’s.  With for example Mr Kidney costing us £198,676 a year and 312 costing in excess of that per annum with an average cost per MP of £135,600 plus the salary of around £60,000, how can a situation arise where a soldier wounded on the front line, in the service of their country, in a war backed by both the main parties be kept waiting for compensation whilst being thrown out of their military accommodation, with nowhere for their family to live.  Then when compensation is offered it be the type of sum that we are currently seeing.

            What sureties can Mr Kidney, as the most local government minister, give that the military covenant will be upheld in future cases to a level that our armed forces deserve.  After sending these brave men and women to war can our MP’s please assure them the support from our country that they ought to get?

Staffordshire Newsletter, November 8th 2007, Fears speed limit will not be cut - By Gail Atkinson

A Stafford Borough Councillor says he fears highways chiefs won't reduce the speed limit on a black spot road despite a speed survey.  Ivan Jennings says residents in Cotes Heath have seen the process before with pledges of cutting the maximum speed from its current national speed limit of 60 miles an hour.  Now he says county council highway bosses have promised to conduct the survey before the end of the month, but he is worried that a new limit may not be imposed if speeding drivers push up the average speed during the test period.  The road has been the scene of several accidents over the yeas with one house being hit by three cars in as many months.  A crash barrier subsequently installed was welcomed, but residents still had fears about potentially fatal accidents.

Councillor Jennings says he has seen County Council data on how many accidents there have been on the notorious stretch of road and believes the authority already has grounds for reducing the speed limit.  "We are looking for this as soon as possible and before any more accidents and before anyone dies." he said.  He said the council were passing the buck to the police, saying a speed limit well below average speeds would be unenforceable although police say they would enforce legal speed limits.

"Our main concern is that they might not bring it down and it is desperately needed not only because of the properties and residents having their property damaged but also the fact we have pedestrians including children crossing to get to the playing fields.  They have promised they would do it time and time again and although I have great faith in them, I don't want to see the residents of the area let down again."  A spokesman from Staffordshire County Council said "The survey was carried out last month to assess the speed limit and volume of traffic on that stretch of road.  The data is currently being looked at and may be used to assess a speed limit on that road."

Staffordshire Newsletter, October 27th 2007, Planning Concerns.  Community News - Eccleshall Section

Parish councillors heard last week that their objections to several planning applications had not been considered because of an oversight. The objections were emailed to planning officers by the parish clerk but due to an oversight at the planning offices were not available for the planning meeting which considered the applications.

Councillors have voiced their concerns about the approval to convert the commercial office at 39c High Street, opposite the barbers and behind Krug off the High Street, into residential use.  Two Eccleshall Borough Councillors called the application in and supported the application, these being Councillors Jennings and Chapman.  Currently government is pressing for large numbers of additional dwellings to be built, with Councillor Henry Butter stating that they had been told that 3,000 dwellings must be built in the borough and outside Stafford itself.

Staffordshire Newsletter, October 11th 2007, Residents fail to block egg units

Eccleshall residents fighting plans for thousands of chickens to be housed at a nearby farm say they are disappointed planning officers have given it the go-ahead.  Tina Thatcher and her neighbours in Browns Bridge, Slindon, had hoped their letters and petition would help persuade officers to turn down two egg production units at Aspley House Farm.  They fear the scheme which includes one unit for 11,000 birds and another housing 10,000 birds will create noise and smells and ruin the open countryside on their doorsteps.  They approached ward councillor Ivan Jennings to call it in for discussion at Stafford Borough Council's development control committee so they could put forward their arguments.  But Councillor Jennings and fellow ward councillor Henry Butter decided the call-in should be with-drawn as they felt there was nothing wrong with the plans, leaving officers to determine the plan, which they gave out-line planning permission.

Mrs Thatcher said the news was a blow but she said there was still hope.  She added: "We are disappointed about it but I suppose we're only a small group of people.  The permission is outline at the moment so we will still be able to object again when more detailed plans are put forward."  Ian Pick, an agent acting on behalf of the applicant Allan Warrington, says the units will not create the noise and smells generated by intensive poultry as those smells come from manure distribution at the clean-out stage every six weeks.  In free range this will only happen on one or two days every fourteen months.

Staffordshire Newsletter, September 27th 2007, Fire hazard fears at sub station

RESIDENTS in Eccleshall say plans to run surface water past an electricity sub station are a fire hazard.  
Householders in Green Lane and nearby Linacre Road, have enlisted the help of the Environment Agency and Central Networks, who own the sub station, ahead of today's deadline for submissions for a planning appeal. Stafford Borough Council's development control committee threw out the application to build four houses on land at Green Lane, Eccleshall, in June, despite an officer recommendation to approve it.  Developers Thomas Jones and Sons have altered their plans so surface water will drain away over a gap between two houses in Linacre Road.  
Three previous applications to build a single property at the site were refused, two of which were subsequently dismissed on appeal because of the impact on adjacent properties.  One resident says he is concerned because there is an electricity sub station nearby.  "The close proximity of the sub station, housed in a metal casing less than a foot from the side of my house, causes me grave concerns for the potential fire hazard should water ever enter the sub station casing."  He added: "I believe that surface water from plot four will inevitably flow into my garden or house subjecting me to the misery of flooding once again."  The resident has written to Central Networks informing them of the amendment to the original plans, and to the Environment Agency.  Ward Councillor Ivan Jennings has also lobbied on their behalf.  He said: "Central Networks is emailing its strong opposition to it, and the Environment Agency can't guarantee there won't be flooding there.  "I'm hoping this will make a significant impact and if the inspector sees all the extra information we have put together since the planning committee and the reasons for refusal there won't be a problem at all."

Staffordshire Newsletter, September 27th 2007, Villagers united in call to curb speeders

Speeding drivers and safety could be tackled in two Stafford villages following several accidents on a dangerous road.  There have been a number of crashes and near-misses along the A519 through Slindon and Cotes Heath, with villagers claiming motorists often fail to slow down.

In Cotes Heath, the road narrows through the village (Not correct is just before the village on a blind bend), meaning lorries are at risk of colliding.  And in Slindon residents are still concerned despite successfully campaigning two years ago for the speed limit to be reduced to 50 mph.  Campaigners want it to be slashed again to 40 in a bid to make it safer after a number of them used a speed gun to monitor speeds and found many going over the limit.

Councillor Ivan Jennings said the two villages were teaming up to strengthen the campaign and get something done.  He and Eccleshall parish councillors and residents met with John Sly, area traffic manager at Staffordshire County Council, last week to talk over problems.  "Mr Sly has agreed to look at both villages and assess what needs to be done.  He will report back to us on October 30." said Councillor Jennings (November 30th is what I said).  "There have been a number of accidents along the A519 through both villages and there have been more complaints from residents.  The meeting with Mr Sly was positive and at least now there is a possibility we could get something done."

Staffordshire Newsletter, TBC, Letters to the Editor section contribution

As one of the councillors for the Eccleshall ward area, of which part is one of the trial areas for the fortnightly collection, I feel I must respond to the letter by Mr Grayer in the Newsletter on 20^th September.  From start to finish he is completely factually incorrect in every point that he makes.

Point one the recycling rates have been proven in both Eccleshall and Parkside with neither the parish council in Eccleshall, myself or my colleagues receiving a single complaint in at least the past six months.  Rates in the test areas of recycling are at 55-60% well above the Boroughs average of 30%.

Point two over the past four years the increase in council tax, relating to the conservative controlled Borough Council has been kept to the headline rate of inflation.  This is compared to a six fold increase in Labours tenure, or the much higher percentage increases by the Labour controlled County Council over the same period.

Point three, the cabinet system as used is the exact same system as in Downing street.

Point four.  The council already has the suggested regional and neighbourhood recycling centres or “villages”.  His “regional recycling centres” as he terms them are located at Westbridge Park, Morrison’s in Stone or on Crown Street.  Anyone can call for advice on locations to the Environment Team at the borough council who are always happy to help.

Point five.  The proposed new bin is exactly what he suggests we should invest in.  This can now take all recyclable materials.

To conclude the letter basically is either incorrect due to misinformation or Mr Grayer suggesting something we are already doing. It should also be noted that in an independent poll carried out by a newspaper itself set against the proposal and even after all of the bad press nearly 60% were in favour of fortnightly collections.

Staffordshire Newsletter, September 20th 2007, Letters to the Editor section contribution - Changes require commitment

Everyone can look around and see examples of where things could be improved. On education specialist school reform has not improved standards. On planning the government is reverting to national policies that encourage over development, development on unsuitable areas and greenbelt, which will cause problems for local communities in the future. On homeland security we now see a hard-line sect in control of 600 of the mosques in Britain preaching hatred including Riyadh ul Haq who says “when called upon we will consider it an honour and a privilege to shed our blood”, so run by yet another Abu Hamza.

On foreign policy the opium crop production in Afghanistan has actually risen to 8,000 tones.  With 95% of heroin in this country coming from Afghanistan is this not a priority to reduce it.

Staffordshire Newsletter, September 13th 2007, Tory U-Turn makes Mrs Thatcher worry

Worried residents say their hopes of halting plans for 21,000 chickens to be housed nearby have been dashed, after a councillor did a U-turn on calling in the application for discussion.  Tina Thatcher and her neighbours in Browns Bridge, Slindon are fighting plans for two new free-range egg production units at nearby Aspley House Farm.

They fear the proposals - which include one unit for 11,000 birds and another housing 10,000 birds - will create noise and smells and ruin the open countryside on their doorsteps.  They ward approached Councillor Ivan Jennings and he told the Newsletter last week he had called it in so it could be discussed at a future meeting of Stafford Borough Council's development control committee, giving residents a chance to speak at the meeting.  But this week Councillor Jennings said he had withdrawn the call-in as he felt there was nothing wrong with the plans.  It means the decision will be delegated to a planning officer, although all the residents views, including letters and a petition, will be taken into account.  Councillor Jennings said he discussed the matter with fellow ward and Tory Councillor Henry Butter (Side Note it was Cllr Frank Chapman not Henry so another mistake), and he agreed, but he said he did sympathise with the residents.  He said " The farming community of this country have over the past few years faced an uphill battle, mainly thanks to our current government.  I see no planning reason to stop this application and support farm diversification where it is feasible and beneficial to the rural economy."

But Mrs Thatcher said she and her neighbours were disappointed with his decision.  "We had our hopes raised of fighting this and being able to speak at the meeting, but now we won't get the chance," she said.  "There are only eight houses in Browns Bridge. We're just a small number of people who are trying to fight against something.  We will now have to wait and see what happens."  Ian Pick, an agent on behalf of the applicant Alan Warrington told the Newsletter last week that the units would not create the noise and smells generated by intensive poultry as the smells in intensive poultry units came from manure distribution at the clean-out stage every six weeks.  But in free range this will only happen for one or two days every 14 months.  He said a low intensity ventilation system would be installed to block noise and the units would be close to existing farm buildings.

Staffordshire Newsletter, September 13th 2007, Homes Appeal

Plans to build four houses on land prone to flooding in Eccleshall will be decided by a Government inspector.  Developer Thomas Jones and Sons has appealed after planners in Stafford refused the application for land on Green Lane.  Planning officers from Stafford Borough Council have made several recommendations to the inspector to protect residents from potential floods, but ward councillor Ivan Jennings said the only successful outcome for residents would be for the inspector to uphold the councils decision.  "The only thing that's going to allay our fears is if the appeal is rejected," he said.  The deadline for submissions is September 27th, with the inspector's decision expected a week later.  Information about the application is also set to go before a parliamentary select committee discussing the issue of building on flood plains after it was presented by Stone MP Bill Cash.

Staffordshire Newsletter, September 6th 2007,

    Angry residents say they will join together to fight plans for hundreds of chickens to be housed at a farm near their homes.  Tina Thatcher and her neighbours in Browns Bridge, Slindon, say they are against plans for two free range egg production units at nearby Aspley House Farm.  They fear the proposals, which include one unit for 11,000 birds and another housing 10,000 birds, will create noise and smells.  And they say their main concern is that the development will ruin the beautiful, open countryside on their doorsteps.  Mrs Thatcher said she and her neighbours wrote letters of objection to Stafford Borough Council and contacted ward Councillor Ivan Jennings to call it in for discussion at a future meeting of the development control committee.  Mrs Thatcher told The Newsletter " There are going to be 21,000 birds on this site, which at the moment is just a field at the back of us.  We are so concerned about the application because of the potential for noise and the smell.  There are only eight houses in Browns Bridge but that doesn't make us any less important.  We are all determined to fight it and will be hoping to have a say."

    Ian Pick, an agent acting on behalf of the applicant Alan Warrington, said free range egg production units would not create the noise and smells generated by intensive poultry.  "The smells in intensive poultry units come from manure distribution at the clean-out stage every six weeks.  But in free range this will only happen for one or two days every 14 months.  We will also install a low intensity ventilation system in the units so they won't be noisy.  The application is on agricultural land close to existing farm buildings, which is not generally unusual in the countryside."

    Councillor Ivan Jennings says he feels there is nothing wrong with the scheme, but he has called it in for discussion at the committee and vowed to speak on behalf of the neighbours.  Councillor Jennings said " The application looked quite straight forward.  But despite that, I called it in straight away and residents can put their views at committee.  I will also speak in support of them."

Post script on this article:- The quote is slightly incorrect.  I explained to the reporter that I had called the application in as a matter of course but saw no reason to take it to committee as the application looked within planning guidelines and straightforward.  I informed her that the residents if it was decided it should go to committee would be able to have there say (a representative from the residents is now allowed to speak under new guidelines for the committee) and I would say what I thought, (I did not say which way I would speak if this were to arise).  I informed both the reporter and also Mrs Thatcher by telephone that the matter would be discussed on the evening of the 6th September at the Branch Meeting with my fellow colleagues to see if anyone would take this forward.

Staffordshire Newsletter, August 23rd 2007, Letters to the Editor section contribution

Dear Sir,

 As we see the next generation of Destroyers join our Navy in the form of HMS Daring, which has been billed as the worlds most advanced war ship, another of our Navy’s fleet is pressing forward in the war on drugs on which our armed forces are on the front line.  Britain’s biggest warship HMS Ocean seized her second multi-million pound haul of drugs whilst on her Caribbean deployment.  Like something out of a movie the operation involved Sea Kings of the 854 naval air squadron tracking a light aircraft over the Caribbean.  Then one of HMS Oceans Merlin of 700M NAS to fly to the suspected drop off point and two landing craft filled with commandos of the 9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines.  By the end of the operation they had seized a narcotics haul of 331kg (730lbs) of cocaine and 18kg (39lbs) of heroin a seizure with a street value of over £25 million.  This is after a similar operation in May where HMS Ocean deployed personnel who seized cocaine valued over £28 million.  When one combines this with the work done by our armed forces in other locations around the world.  One vital outcome from our forces being in Afghanistan and the ability to negotiate closely with the emerging government has to be a stricter control of and a agreed plan and policy to see the gradual reduction of the poppy fields and drug production in the country. I see our involvement there as not only part of the war on terrorism but also the war on drugs at the front line stifling and stopping where possible its production and shipment to our shores the other front line in that war is obviously the work done by our police forces and the national crime squad and regional crime squads to cut out where possible the illegal drugs that has made it to our country and the pushers here.

Staffordshire Newsletter, August 16th 2007 Will he promise?, Letters to the Editor section contribution

See Stafford Post section for the same day (Click Here)

Staffordshire Newsletter, August 16^th 2007 Village in national spotlight. By Gail Atkinson

A Parliamentary select committee is to consider details of an application to build four houses on land prone to flooding in Eccleshall.  The proposals for Green Lane will go before the committee when they meet after the summer break to discuss the issue of building on flood plains after Stone MP Bill Cash wrote to them.

He has also written to secretary of state for DEFRA, Hilary Benn, raising the issue of the proposed development and that of building on flood plains.

The application for the site in Green Lane, Eccleshall, submitted by Thomas Jones and Sons, was thrown out by members of Stafford Borough Council's Development Control Committee in June even though officers recommended it be approved.

One resident has already written a letter of complaint to the council's chief executive David Rawlings because he says he was not notified of the procedure for raising objections at the meeting until the day after the meeting took place, and consequently had to cut short his presentation.  He is also unhappy about the way the application was treated by planning officers at the meeting.

In his letter the resident, who didn't want to be named said: "During the meeting the planning officer dealing with the application expressed his entire support for the plans, recommending it should be passed. Following my objections and the objections raised by Councillor Ivan Jennings, the committee discussed the application and voted unanimously to refuse the application.  There followed a number of arguments between the committee and the planning officer as to why and how they could reach a conclusion of refusing the application."

He has now submitted his objections to be included in the material which will go before the planning inspector after the developers lodged an appeal against the decision to refuse the application.  Three previous applications to build a single property at the site were refused, two of which were subsequently dismissed on appeal because of the impact on adjacent properties.  Ward Councillor Jennings told the committee if the houses were built it would exacerbate flood problems.

Mr Cash said: "I have written to the secretary of state for DEFRA, Hilary Benn, raising the issue in Eccleshall and the general question of building on known flood plains."

A spokesperson for the developer's agent, Cheshire-based Barrie Newcombe Associates, declined to comment.

Staffordshire Newsletter, August 9^th 2007 Letters to the Editor section contribution - Why is unit so under funded?

 Can I ask our MP David Kidney to please explain why his government have under funded yet another section of a public service?  It is now acknowledged that without private sector funding a proposed national police unit to fight computer crime could face delays of up to two years.  IT security breaches cost the UK business community £10bn last year (according to PricewaterhouseCoopers report for the Department of Trade and Industry).  Sue Wilkinson, the e-crime lead at the Association of Chief Police Officers has had to call on the private sector to get the £4.5m scheme off the ground.  Out of the £4.5m needed the shortfall is a minimum of £1m. Ms Wilkinson is on the record as saying that “If I had the money, I could launch it by December”.

So we see another service that is under funded, but still our taxes rise and rise, via stelth and any other means the Labour Government can think of.  The two do not match.  I personally would prefer to see a similar tax policy as the one used, and shown to work well, in Hong Kong in the 1980’s (further detail can be found on my web site www.ivanjennings.co.uk).

Staffordshire Newsletter, August 2nd 2007 Letters to the Editor section contribution - Peace role deserves recognition

Dear Sir,

 Can I start by saying how much I enjoyed the anniversary parade and displays for the 25^th Anniversary of the Falklands War (and a great full page of coverage in your newspaper!!).  The reason for this letter is also to ask if there are any plans to mark the end of operation Banner.The British Army’s longest-running military campaign, codenamed Operation Banner, will draw to a close at the end of this month. This operation started with support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in public order and counter-terrorist operations, which began on August 14, 1969 when soldiers were deployed onto the streets of Londonderry and subsequently Belfast to help restore order after a confrontation between Nationalist residents of the Bogside, police and members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, culminated in serious rioting
The 38-year continuous commitment has involved the service of more than 300,000 soldiers and tragically resulted in significant sacrifice and suffering – 763 Service personnel were killed and 6,116 injured as a direct result of terrorist action. The different organisations and bodies who were and are behind the strides made towards peace to make it possible to even consider the closure of this operation should be commended. It is my belief that if possible and as a sign of thanks to the servicemen and women involved in Operation Banner over the years some form of acknowledgement should be made. 

Staffordshire Newsletter, July 26^th 2007 Letters to the Editor section contribution - Equip or troops properly in this war

We have seen recently in the news that a misbalance of resources has yet again become a problem for our armed forces.  It was this government that sent the brave men and women of our armed forces into battle under equipped, with lives lost because body armour had to be shared and other similar situations putting our servicemen and women in more danger than they already are due to the job that they do on our behalf.  Now we see that in Afghanistan NATO forces are there undermanned. Afghanistan has always been an area of difficulty for foreign troops and the might of the British Empire or the USSR had the ability and manpower alone to quell its population.  The mission today however is a different one.  It is not one of conquest but one of liberation for many of its people.  The troops however face the same problems.  My belief is that Afghanistan is rightly one of our main priorities not only in our war on terrorism, but also on that other war that organisations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation should be given all of the support needed to win, and that is the war on drugs.  Afghanistan is a hot bed for both of these forces of evil and every assistance must be given by every party to ensure that our ISAF troops get not only the current and sufficient equipment but also the correct levels of support and extra troop deployment from all of our allies.  The UK currently supplies 7,100 of the 37,000 troops deployed in the country, making it one of the largest contributors to the NATO force there.  Can David Kidney MP as our Governments local representative please assure us that all efforts are and will continue to be made to supply commanders in the field with what they need, and all they need, to get the job done we sent them todo?  What ever you believe about our reasons to be in either of these conflicts it is important to remember that the soldiers out there are there because the government asked them to. Next time that you get annoyed because something runs over five minutes and you might be late or you are looking at the clock thinking only five minutes till work finishes remember that for the soldiers deployed on your behalf, they can be told one day that they are going to be held over another two months (or any other period) and they do it, under manned.  Next time you think about being anti the war or see someone protesting think to yourself, it is the work of those brave men and women that protects their right to do exactly that. (for more information please view http://www.ivanjennings.co.uk/thoughts_of_a_soldier.htm which was contributed by PFC Haering and PFC Steel).

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Staffordshire Newsletter, July 05^th 2007 Flooded residents’ anger at homes bid By Liz Pegg

FURIOUS residents whose homes have been blighted by flooding have slammed plans to build four more houses nearby. Householders living in Linacre Road in Eccleshall have hit out at an application to create four new homes on nearby Green Lane.  They say the proposals will make the area even more susceptible to floods, destroy a field full of wildlife and make access dangerous.
Topsy Harding, of Linacre Road, said: "My main worry is that if more homes are built it will aggravate the flooding problem further. There will be less open space for the water to drain in to.  "I also think the development will limit the visibility when you are driving onto Green Lane, and I’m not happy about houses being built on a beautiful green space which is full of wildlife. There is lovely old tree on there too - which will have to go if these houses get the go-ahead."
Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: "I have had a lot of problems with flooding at my house, and four more houses will make it worse. There is already a problem with removing surface water and waste water here.  "We have all written to the borough council objecting to these plans and hope our councillors will support us in blocking them."
Eccleshall councillor Ivan Jennings has ‘called in’ the application for full discussion at the borough development control committee.  He said: "This development is really not suitable for this site, for a number of reasons. It would cause more flooding in the area because there is a drainage culvert on the site which would have to go if houses were built there. There are also access issues - a fire engine would not be able to get to Green Lane if this went ahead because of the angle of the development - and it would impinge on the privacy of the neighbours. I understand that the owners of the land want to put something on it, but I think a single dwelling would be more suitable."

Staffordshire Newsletter, June 28^th 2007 Eccleshall homes plan sparks fears 

Residents in Eccleshall say a proposed development could lead to their properties being flooded in extreme weather.  Plans to build four houses in Green Lane were set to go before Stafford Borough Council’s Development Control Committee last night.  Neighbours whose homes flooded 10 years ago fear it will happen again if the watercourse becomes blocked.  Some 39 objections have been lodged with planners.  A flood risk assessment by the Environment Agency concluded the culvert and watercourse were sufficient to meet requirements.  Three previous applications to build a single house on the site were refused, and two subsequent appeals dismissed.  Ward representative Ivan Jennings has called the application in for discussion by councillors because of the drainage concerns.  He said: “ I would like to see the application refused.  I would quite happily live with one or two buildings on the site but they are cramming in as many as they can to maximise profit.  The access route is where the water comes down at the moment so that’s going to be a problem.”

Staffordshire Newsletter, May 31st 2007  TORIES CELEBRATE - By Sarah Marshall

THE Conservative party celebrated victory as they held on to control of Stafford Borough Council.

The party retained all of its 40 seats after making two gains from both Labour and the Liberal Democrats and losing two seats to independents across the borough.
The Labour party lost one of its 14 seats to the Tories in the Holmcroft ward while the Liberal Democrats now have four seats, down from their previous five. There are now also two independent candidates elected.

* Denotes sitting councillor. Names in bold denote elected candidates.

Barlaston and Oulton
John Fairbanks*(Con) 676, Peter Proctor(Con) 827, John Russell 808.
Baswich
Ann Edgeller*(Con) 1,118, Sue Francis*(Con) 1,029, Ann Millichap(Lab) 384, Michael Mills(LibDem) 244, Graham Sellman(LibDem) 305.
Chartley
Frances Beatty (Con). No contest. Elected
Church Eaton
Kenneth Brown(Con) 316, Barry Stamp*(LibDem) 618.
Common
Ray Barron(Con) 407, Les Gittins(Con) 455, John Kennedy*(Lab) 587, Bill Simpson*(Lab) 597.
Coton
Keith Boardman(Con) 236, Storm Barratt(Con) 246, Jack Kemp*(Lab) 500, Tony Welch(Lab) 460.
Eccleshall
Henry Butter*(Con) 1,505, Frank Chapman(Con) 1,155, Bryan Delanchy(LibDem) 536, Ivan Jennings*(Con) 1,201, John Sillito(Ind) 940.
Forebridge
Chris Baron*(LibDem) 701, Ashley Chatterton(Con) 264, Phil Barratt(Con) 258, Shelley East(Lab) 257, John Gale(Green) 108, Tony Pearce(Lab) , David Seary*(LibDem) 554.
Fulford
Andrew Harp*(Con)1,066 Richard Oldfield*(Con) 1,259, Peter Roycroft*(Con) 1,230, Barry Shaw(Lab) 540.
Gnosall and Woodseaves
Michelle Bickley(LibDem) 695, Roger Kelly*(Con) 1,598, Richard Philpott(LibDem) 507, Mike Smith*(Con) 1,456, Julia Towers(LibDem) 490, Ken Williamson*(Con)1,530.
Haywood and Hixon
John Boyle(Lab) 456, Helen Carmichael(LibDem) 837, Brendan McKeown(LibDem) 859, Alan Perkins*(Con) 1,192, Amyas Stafford Northcote*(Con) 1,269, Jean Tabernor*(Con) 1,280.
Highfields and Western Downs
Vi Allan(Con) 576, Maureen Bowen*(Lab) 725, Richard Downs(Con) 537, Aidan Godfrey*(Lab) 684, Steven O'Connor(Lab) 635, Neil Thomas(Con) 540, Lynda Turner(LibDem) 333.
Holmcroft
Eric Cartwright(Con) 1,053, Andrew Compton*(Lab) 588, Bryan Cross*(Con) 1,104, Alan Ramsay(Lab) 799, Charles Simpson(Con) 1,084, Julian Thorley(Lab) 742.
Littleworth
Ravi Bhakri(Lab) 650, David Bowyer(Con) 912, Nicholas Brundrit(Lab) 650, Kevin Groombridge(Lab) 630, Mark Heenan(Con) 981, Robert Hine(LibDem) 330, Denis Skelland*(Con) 952, Henry Towers(LibDem) 240, Peter Voss(LibDem) 393.
Manor
James Affleck(LibDem) 268, Ann Foster(Con) 536, Cathy Collier(Con) 557, Angela Loughran(Lab) 746, Geoff Rowlands(Lab) 722, Trish Rowlands(Lab) 729, Gary Simmonds(Con) 600, Stephanie Spiers(LibDem) 70, Paul Warrilow(LibDem) 254.
Milford
Frank Finlay*(Con) 1,101, John Hopkinson(LibDem) 319, Trevor Reeves*(Con) 977, Penny Saunders(Lab) 284.
Milwich
Doug Davis*(Con) No contest. Elected.
Penkside
Andrew Collier(Con) 449, Ralph Cooke(Lab) 598, Malcolm Millichap(Lab) 564, Colin Rowell(Con) 426.
Rowley
David Allan*(Con) 831, Patrick Farrington*(Con) 801, Alex Gribbin(Lab) 529, Kate Harding(Green) 287, John Hartshorne(Lab) 552.
Seighford
Michael Coghlan(Lab) 165, Cathie Halliday(LibDem) 420, Diane Key(LibDem) 440, Andrew Nixon(Lab) 167, Ray Sutherland*(Con) 945, Mark Winnington*(Con) 963.
St Michael's
George Beecham(Lab) 273, Geoff Collier*(Con) 640, Lin Davies(Ind) 441, Mark Hatton(LibDem) 336, Philip Jones(Con) 626, Philip Lear(Lab) 272.
Stonefield and Christchurch
Michael Abbott(Lab) 296, Paul Agar(Lab) 262, Stephen Brookes(Ind) 427, Gerry Etchells(Con) 554, Joyce Farnham*(Con) 802, Richard Stevens(LibDem) 567.
Swynnerton
Frank Cheadle 425, Stan Highfield*(Con) 1,006, Brian Price*(Con) 890.
Tillington
Isabella Davies(Con) 614, Peter Goodland*(Con) 575, David Hughes(LibDem) 284, Frank James(Lab) 435, Tony Nixon(Lab) 362.
Walton
Jamie Battrick(LibDem) 303, Harry Brunt(Lab) 541, Mike Carey*(Con) 745, Mark Green(Ind) 527, David Haswell 251, Philip Leason(Ind) 698, Debbie Wakefield(Lab) 717, Mike Williamson(Con) 691, Keith Wright(Con) 633, Peter Young(Lab) 424.
Weeping Cross
Jack Barber(Lab) 800, Judith Dalgarno*(Con) 1,638, John Francis*(Con) 1,492, Mike Heenan*(Con) 1,490.

Staffordshire Newsletter, May 31st 2007 - Flooded residents' anger at homes bid - By Liz Pegg

FURIOUS residents whose homes have been blighted by flooding have slammed plans to build four more houses nearby.  Householders living in Linacre Road in Eccleshall have hit out at an application to create four new homes on nearby Green Lane.  They say the proposals will make the area even more susceptible to floods, destroy a field full of wildlife and make access dangerous.  Topsy Harding, of Linacre Road, said: "My main worry is that if more homes are built it will aggravate the flooding problem further. There will be less open space for the water to drain in to.  "I also think the development will limit the visibility when you are driving onto Green Lane, and I’m not happy about houses being built on a beautiful green space which is full of wildlife. There is lovely old tree on there too - which will have to go if these houses get the go-ahead."  Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: "I have had a lot of problems with flooding at my house, and four more houses will make it worse. There is already a problem with removing surface water and waste water here.  "We have all written to the borough council objecting to these plans and hope our councillors will support us in blocking them."  Eccleshall councillor Ivan Jennings has ‘called in’ the application for full discussion at the borough development control committee.  He said: "This development is really not suitable for this site, for a number of reasons. It would cause more flooding in the area because there is a drainage culvert on the site which would have to go if houses were built there. There are also access issues - a fire engine would not be able to get to Green Lane if this went ahead because of the angle of the development - and it would impinge on the privacy of the neighbours. I understand that the owners of the land want to put something on it, but I think a single dwelling would be more suitable."

Staffordshire Newsletter, May 31st 2007 -  Council outrage over three-storey flats

ECCLESHALL Parish Council has launched an attack on three borough councillors after they failed to back their opposition to a controversial development.  Parish councillors believe plans to build a three-storey apartment block on Castle Street should be blocked because it does not meet government planning laws.  Councillors voiced their outrage at a parish council meeting last Wednesday at Broughton Parish Rooms.  The parish council says the building would be 5.5 metres - not the legal 6m - from the boundary and that an archway over its car park would prevent access to refuse trucks and removal vans.  However, Stafford Borough Councillor and Eccleshall representative Henry Butter told the meeting that the plans have borough council development officers' approval.  As a response to the borough council, Eccleshall Parish Council has written a letter to Councillor Butter and fellow village representatives Councillors Ivan Jennings and John Sillito.  The letter voices the parish council’s objections and asks Stafford Borough Council development control committee to call in the plans fore re-consideration.  Chairman of Eccleshall Parish Council planning committee David Pimble said:  "Councillor Butter is talking rubbish when he says the plans conform to government rules. The worst thing is this is going to happen and there seems to be nothing we can do about it.  "I’m disappointed as the council officers have a set of rules but on this occasion they seem to have rejected it."  Councillor Butter admitted that he shared parish council's concerns about the development, but said there was little that could be done about it.  He said: "The plan meets all planning rules set out by the government, so no matter how it is opposed, the plans will almost certainly go through.  "The government wants councils to approve denser developments like this and although I’m personally against it, it’s difficult to see what can be done."  Councillor Ivan Jennings said: "I concur with the council’s objections to the plans as the development will have an adverse effect on Eccleshall."

The Stafford Post