Sewage issues set to possibly destroy the woodland

29th April 2014
SEWAGE ISSUES SET TO POSSIBLY DESTROY THE WOODLAND
We visited the Woodland today to found yet another service vehicle in Speckled Wood trying to resolve the drainage issues. 

A Specialized track vehicle costing
£20,000 had been sent in to clear the pipework of roots only to fail as the cutter was to large to fit the access hole. As the vehicle left it was spewing waste into the stream from its pipes that had been in the sewer. These were being dragged through the stream and the tracks of the vehicle were destroying the footpaths This visit today we learned cost around £1500.00. The Stream had been cleared out by the heavy rainfall several days ago and the Trust had been told that the job had been signed off. This clearly is not the case.

The contractor on site told us that the other sewage pipe which is faulty from School Rd had been discussed in a meeting with Clancy Docwra where the discussed solution was a ten ton JCB coming in to rip out the sewage pipe from the bottom of the Woodland. Previously the sewage had failed polluting the stream and the sewer had been rodded to let the sewage dissipate. Southern Water are looking into this and could not comment.

The sewer drainage in this area has been known to be in a condemned state for some years as the Victorian pipework was never intended to  meet the housing demands put in by the Planning Department. The Trust calls for the two sewage pipes to be condemned before more damage to this Woodland Ghyll is caused.

3555 Responses Take Notice

23rd April 2014
3555 RESPONSES TAKE NOTICE.

Pictured left is approximately half the responses gained on the two Consultation in 2012 and 2014.1231 in 2012 and 1236 in 2014. The additional responses from the Victoria Avenue Planning fiasco is 666 and the 422 Pledges to save Speckled Wood makes a grand total of 3555 objections to-date.

The Trust has asked the Hastings Borough Council to allow them to bring the Speckled Wood  matter to the next Hastings Cabinet Meeting. There has been no response. The Fiasco of the Outline Planning has seriously undermined the General  Public faith in the Planning Department Officers.

A Recent land slide at Ecclesbourne Glen due to improper process is another indication that our Boroughs Planners are making bad decisions that have a serious consequence. what will be next!

The Trust Ask "Can They Take Their Consultation To The Hastings Cabinet?"

10th April 2014
THE TRUST ASK "CAN THEY TAKE THEIR CONSULTATION TO HASTINGS CABINET?"
Today a formal request was made to the Chief Legal Department of the Hastings Council asking to take the Trusts 2014 Consultation into Cabinet. The Trust is waiting to here if the Hastings Borough Council is not diplomatic and  will refuse this request.

The Trust has been very busy obtaining this response which the wording has been seen by the Council Councillor and Officers prior to the start of the Consultancy in an attempt to use it to its best effect.

The Trust has been writing to the Council Solicitor for a month now in relation to complaints of non-democratic process. The Localism Act gives the communities the opportunity to overturn Policy. The Trust is hoping this matter will be heard.

Clancy Docwra Sewage Specialists were in the woodland today

 16th April 2014

CLANCY DOCWRA SEWAGE SPECIALIST WERE IN THE WOODLAND TODAY

Today the Woodland was busy with yellow coated men from a specialist team dealing with the sewer issues in Speckled Wood.

 

They told our Chairman that they had used a camera with a fibre optic pipe to see what was in the sewer . They identified a large root bundle that they have been trying to remove. 

 

We are told a large water cutting lorry may arrive on site either today or tomorrow to try to cut the root ball out of the way if attempts with hand tools failed.

 

 

You still have time to Vote up until 22nd April 2014 4:30pm

YOU CAN VOTE ON LINE HERE WE WILL DELIVER THIS TO THE FORWARD PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR YOU:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

The Hastings Enviromental Officer visits Speckled Wood

14th April 2014

Today this afternoon the Hastings Borough Council Environmental Officer visited Speckled Wood. He reported back to the Council that there was another sewer which was faulty .

This is the second Sewer failure in two days in Speckled Wood . The Trust Chairman stated that "this explains the failure of  the tadpoles that where laid in the stream to hatch. The PH of the water from the sewers was thought to be the reason for this failure. This thankfully only effects the lower section of the water course . "

This comes after the Trust warns of pollution from prospective new housing in Speckled Wood reaching the waterways of Alexandra Park. It is clear that the failing of these sewers make it difficult for anyone to see any viability of new houses using these Victoria  aged sewers.

The Chairman asked everyone not forget the Consultation to save Speckled Wood. Thrust have received 645 votes to remove Speckled Wood from the DMP to date. Please keep voting there is less than 8 days left. We will be in Priory Meadow on Saturday please come down and sign.

YOU CAN VOTE ON LINE HERE WE WILL DELIVER THIS TO THE FORWARD PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR YOU:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

Sewerage Leak in Speckled Wood

13th April 2014

Today the Chairman of the Trust was notified that there was a serious sewerage leak in Speckled wood that potentially was threatening the stream with pollutants.

Our Chairman notified Southern Water who acted by sending out  a specialist from Clancy Docwra.

The Chairman said "The Clancy Docwra crew were here very fast and put counter measures in very quickly. The team arrived this evening put up fencing and cleared the broken sewer. The Sewer pipe will be repaired tomorrow . I have to say I met some lovely people and felt very happy with their efforts."

The Sewer pipe is part of the old Victorian sewage system  from Old London Road. This morning the countermeasures and spill kit seemed to have worked with the area drying up over night. 

The water quality tester or PIF was extremely efficient and tested the water for Ammonia through out the incident.  The PIF explained that the spill kit should only be removed by Clancy Docwra .

More activity will be seen in the Woodland tomorrow as the pipework is repaired . 

The Chairman asked everyone not forget the Consultation to save Speckled Wood. Thrust have reiceved 645 votes to remove Speckled Wood from the DMP to date. Please keep voting there is less than 8 days left.

YOU CAN VOTE ON LINE HERE WE WILL DELIVER THIS TO THE FORWARD PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR YOU:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

The Trust warns of complacency

THE TRUST WARNS OF COMPLACENCY
30th March 2014

The Trust is extremely worried that the community is being complacent about Speckled Wood.

The Woodland has seen lovely children events which this could be the last year that they will happen.

"The Trust has 4500 forms out in the community which need to come back in by the 22nd April 2014."

A spokesman from the Trust has said:
"We have been told only 30 paper Response Forms have been returned to the Council. 
110 paper Response Forms have been returned to the Trust 
and there have been 334 electric responses  of which eight are spoiled or duplicates."

It is important that you fill in an return your Response forms. As the DMP  sets out three areas of the Woodland at present for Development. This is not a position the Trust can fight from as in 2012, 1231 Responses where registered. The 466 is not enough to go forward as it should be clearly more as more people are using the Woodland . The DMP is available here Look for areas CV01, CV03, CV04:

http://hastings.jdi-consult.net/ldf/readdoc.php?docid=169&chapter=3&docelemid=d28946#d28946

The Council plans to put the document which is as large as a telephone directory before the Public Inspector at the end of this year. We need to show the Inspector that we don't want houses here.

YOU CAN VOTE ON LINE HERE WE WILL DELIVER THIS TO THE FORWARD PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR YOU:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

The Trusts consultation is getting a needed boost from the press

24th March 2014
THE TRUSTS CONSULTATION IS GETTING A MUCH NEEDED BOOST FROM THE PRESS.

The Trust has been holding a Consultation this year to remove Speckled Wood from the Hastings Borough Council Development Plan has gained a much needed boost. The Trust has been contacted by news agencies in reference to its campaign. The first of these public requests for the community to get involved will start tomorrow.

The Trust was aware that Rightmove, an online estate agent, had the area in Victoria Avenue for sale recently . It appears this has been withdrawn . The land was up for sale for £850,000.

The Trust also desperately needs a benefactor who will help with financing a purchase of the Woodland . The Trust has already spoken to Hastings Voluntary Association who have been asked to help manage a community purse, should funds become available for a prospective purchase. A spokesperson for the Trust said that there had been in excess of forty-nine years of planning on Speckled Wood all of which have failed to occur. This planning has been lucrative for some but has effectively left the area neglected and only maintained by local groups.

The Current campaign runs until April 22nd 2014 details are shown below:

"This vote is is one of the most important so far . The Trust is excited at the prospect that the Press will help out and spread the news of this Consultation."

YOU CAN VOTE ON LINE HERE WE WILL DELIVER THIS TO THE FORWARD PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR YOU:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

The Trusts Consultation on Speckled Wood is going well

12th March 2014

THE TRUSTS CONSULTATION ON SPECKLED WOOD IS GOING WELL
A spokesperson for the Trust today said that the Consultation was going well over 1000  Response forms have been delivered to the following addresses in Ore : The Hospital site in Frederick Rd, Speckled Wood, Greville Rd, Waterside close have Response forms this morning and homes in Southview Terace, Valleyside Rd, Deepdene Gds, Cookson Gardens, Ticehurst Close, Tuppenny Close, Grenham Court.

You can vote at the Ore Library, The Ore Centre, The Bridge and The Old King John in Ore  or the Old Town Cobblers in the High Street 

To date in two days we have received 64 (sixty four) by this mornings count 3 (three were spoiled. 

You can vote at the Ore Library, The Ore Centre, The Bridge and The Old King John in Ore  or the Old Town Cobblers in the High Street 

To date in two days we have received 64 (sixty four) by this mornings count 3 (three were spoiled. 

"This vote is is one of the most important so far . The Trust is hoping the Press will help out and spread the news of this Consultation."

YOU CAN VOTE ON LINE HERE WE WILL DELIVER THIS TO THE FORWARD PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR YOU:
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

Speckled Wood Future to be decided

10 March 2014

SPECKLED WOOD FUTURE TO BE DECIDED

Over the next forty three days  up until the 22nd April 2014 at 4:30 pm the Future of Speckled Wood will be decided by your votes and responses.

It is important for this area to stay as it is as the local community depend on it to establish the center of their Village culture. Please help them, the schools, community and the animals who depend on it .

You can now tell the Local Authority you want this Woodland Speckled Wood removed from the Development Management Plan and not to be zoned for housing you have the choice:

PLEASE VOTE HERE
http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/

PLEASE DOWNLOAD PAPER VERSIONS HERE:

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.pdf

2014 Two Sided - STOP HOUSES IN SPECKLED WOOD.docx

New Consultation Annouced

06th March 2014

NEW CONSULTATION ANNOUNCED

Following on from the 2012 Consultation which you helped us by stating how you wanted Speckled Wood to have no Housing.

We tried to stop this at the Planning department stage during an Outline Planning Application where the Council Planners decision to un-democratically ignore the public’s request to save Speckled Wood failed thwarted by the planners Councillors Bruce Dowling (abstained), Councillors Peter Finch, Godfrey Daniel, and Eve Martin voted against Councillors Michael Wincotts; motion to try to make this part of Speckled Wood a Green Space.

The Council Forward Planning department has gone back to its 2012 Consultation, running a new Consultation in March and April 2014.

The Charity Friends of Speckled Wood will be running a fourth option in their Consultation to run alongside the Councils between March 10th - April 22nd 2014 @ 4:30pm.  The Charitys’ form which emails the council is available at http://www.friendsofspeckledwood.org.uk/consultation/. We would be grateful for any support you could give us during this period to let the public know that they can use the new information which has emerged to re-state their opinion on the Woodland to try to prevent this once more.

Our Consultation for the 2014 Council DMP giving better choice will be open on the 10th of March 2014 till April 2014 @ 4:30pm. Please use our web site and make your voice heard show the planners that their choices are not good enough. Demand this area be a Green Space . Last year we raised 1500. Votes which stopped the DMP. Please lets do this again until Speckled Wood is saved. 

The Trust add an entrance gate to its secured area in Speckled Wood

04 March 2014

THE TRUST ADD AN ENTRANCE GATE TO ITS SECURED AREA IN SPECKLED WOOD.

The Trust was out today fixing an entrance gate to the area it had fenced off around a large TPO tree in the Woodland on 19th February 2014 . The Trust has been examining Land documents from 2007 which deal with the titles of land for the Victoria Avenue end of the Woodland.

This is important as there will be a s.106 document signed. The Trust urge any land owner in Speckled Wood to come forward and Contact the Council. and make their land ownership known as it will be to late after the s.106 deed is signed to do this. More information about the s.106 can be found here: http://www.pas.gov.uk/3-community-infrastructure-levy-cil/-/journal_content/56/332612/4090701/ARTICLE

Is This Democratic?

26th February 2014
IS THIS DEMOCRATIC
The Chair Godfrey Daniels last night voted against all of his Labour Planning Committee Councillors last night when he voted alongside the Conservative Planning Councillors.

MP Amber Rudds manifesto was clear that she would protect Speckled Wood however all but one of her Planning Committee Councillors voted with the Labour Chair.

It was also noted that one Labour Planning Committee member failed to attend or provide a substitute.

A sterling effort was made by Councillor Peter Chowney and Mr Aubrey Ingleton representing the all of the groups as lead petitioner . There were strong arguments put by Cllr Michael Wincott who placed a motion before the committee to recommend that the Application be rejected. The Application was approved by three votes for and three against The Chair Godfey Daniel making the final decision in favour of the Conservatives and The developer.

This vote tipped the balance of the Planning committee which had put forward the peoples wishes that planning should be denied and that the area would be zoned as a conservation green space.  The planning only in Outline is one of the first hurdles that the Planners need to get over. There is even more stronger opposition to this and questions are being asked by members of the public to the sanity of this decision.

The Chairman of the Trust Mr Martin Newbold said "The fight will go on as the land is still part of protective space and subject to Protection Orders."

The Trust recieved a sizable donation today.

22nd February 2014

THE TRUST RECEIVED A SIZABLE DONATION TODAY.

Today the Trust received a sizable donation as a contribution towards its procurement of the rather tiny piece of land in Speckled Wood. The Chairman of the Trust was very please to receive this from such a well know group. The Trust wish to publicly thank Mr Wise and hope that this adventure will become viable in the near future. The Trust has spent £600.00 so far on this matter bringing it to its current state.