Post by Gary on Jan 1, 2006 1:10:27 GMT
Time for a last whinge afore 2006 sets in.
A few things have changed in Pendle over the last 12 months, some of which most of us weren't even aware of. But that's Pendle Borough Council for ya.
One of the main items of interest is not changes in this and that policy, or how well elevate are doing, but more changes in people's perception of local democracy.
It's easy for the queen to spout the loss of human life in 2005 due to natural disasters, but what about the losses due the ignorence of her government?
We see more and more often what were once thriving industrial towns reduced to supermarket cities, where the major contributor to the 'service sector' are the employees who work in this poorly paid service sector.
Gone are the days of British world class manufacturing, only to be replaced by Thatchers ideologies of a market that will self-adjust under its own influence.
The cotton mills left redundant, some now used by the DSS, others although listed, just sat waiting to be demolished; as soon as Pendle Borough Council can make their mind up whether the land is to be used for commerical or residential use?
Morrisons, parkwise, town center development, demolition of Nelson's old market, introduce car park fees... It makes one wonder why anyone would bother shopping or trading in Nelson?
The management of planning in the borough of pendle can only be described as atrocious with a capital 'A'.
PISH POOR PLANNING
And what about the new health centre in Nelson at the
back of prison Morrisons?
WHY for goodness sake didn't someone in the planning department at pendle council put two and two together and integrate the existing health centre into a plan to develop the new health centre on the disused land in Bradley ward? (No medals for intuition there councillor Iqbal?)
Oh no! Lets use up the existing land at the back of (ahem) Morrisons which has poor access and use that instead. Oh what a great idea!
The Bradley ward has been derelict for FIVE years waiting for new 'industrial' developers to come along and make use of it. Current policies say the land must be used for industrial purposes so no residential developers are welcome. NONSENSE!
HELLOO pendle council BUT surveys have shown that no-one is interested in using the Bradley ward site for industrial purposes. Furthermore, the residents welcomed the land use as residential since clearly the noise and pollution from heavy/light industry no longer needs to be in the centre. Ahem, thats why there are industrial units such as lomeshay, easier motorway access etc..
What really pishes me off is outsiders, you know, those who would like to see 'canal wharf residencies' overlooking what once WAS a beautiful cotton town.
Reminicences of Burnley which was once the true world epicentre of cotton mill and trading along the Leeds and Liverpool canal.
Urban sprawl is of main concern in Pendle since existing housing can be used. Instead, what we see are greedy corporate developers 'seeking' out new worlds, boldly wanting to develop where no one has gone before.
Citizens of Pendle (and elsewhere) are becoming more aware of the political and corporate intricacies that pose a threat to them, particularly regarding 'indeterminate' schemes such as elevate. Better the devil we know lest the sheep reveals itself as the wolf?
Environmental health threats always draw attention. None moreso than those that have unknown side-effects. The UK government have allowed a technology to be introduced and imposed upon our society without a safety certificate. Mobile phone masts for some reason are not subjected to the same quantafiable scientific rigours as foodstuffs, yet many eminent scientists (including the UK's own) state the long-term effects may have adverse health implications in those living or working near them.
In 2006, Together Against Masts (TAM) and Pendle Residents against Insensitive Siting of Masts (PRISM) aim to pool their resources and ensure communities in both Burnley & Pendle are not subjected to the unsafe technology as that from mobile phone masts. As vice-chairman of PRISM, my main priority for 2006 is to implement a better campaign strategy and change government policies to achieve this aim.
This may mean direct action to remove the source that is seen to be causing illness in those near to a telecommunications development. To this I pledge never to veer.
It's a fact of life, that under pressure, humans tend to bow to authority.
Unfortunately, that 'bowing' has become more and more prevalent over the last few years.
Educating people means giving them a 'Voice'!
Although I wandered for hours posting leaflets that informed people of the new unreasearched technology, that may one day be the source of their child's illness, it was worth it. For out of the fog came another voice that supported mine. And together we can make changes that we all, in the future, will nourish.
In 2006 Pendle Borough council will be subject to scrutiny as never before. There will be NO changes unless the residents agree. Corporate greed backed by government policy will not override Pendles citizens voice.
Our voice is clear, that in this new year
unless we agree, as democracy
no change will act
and that, is a FACT!
Happy new year everyone...
Gary
A few things have changed in Pendle over the last 12 months, some of which most of us weren't even aware of. But that's Pendle Borough Council for ya.
One of the main items of interest is not changes in this and that policy, or how well elevate are doing, but more changes in people's perception of local democracy.
It's easy for the queen to spout the loss of human life in 2005 due to natural disasters, but what about the losses due the ignorence of her government?
We see more and more often what were once thriving industrial towns reduced to supermarket cities, where the major contributor to the 'service sector' are the employees who work in this poorly paid service sector.
Gone are the days of British world class manufacturing, only to be replaced by Thatchers ideologies of a market that will self-adjust under its own influence.
The cotton mills left redundant, some now used by the DSS, others although listed, just sat waiting to be demolished; as soon as Pendle Borough Council can make their mind up whether the land is to be used for commerical or residential use?
Morrisons, parkwise, town center development, demolition of Nelson's old market, introduce car park fees... It makes one wonder why anyone would bother shopping or trading in Nelson?
The management of planning in the borough of pendle can only be described as atrocious with a capital 'A'.
PISH POOR PLANNING
And what about the new health centre in Nelson at the
back of prison Morrisons?
WHY for goodness sake didn't someone in the planning department at pendle council put two and two together and integrate the existing health centre into a plan to develop the new health centre on the disused land in Bradley ward? (No medals for intuition there councillor Iqbal?)
Oh no! Lets use up the existing land at the back of (ahem) Morrisons which has poor access and use that instead. Oh what a great idea!
The Bradley ward has been derelict for FIVE years waiting for new 'industrial' developers to come along and make use of it. Current policies say the land must be used for industrial purposes so no residential developers are welcome. NONSENSE!
HELLOO pendle council BUT surveys have shown that no-one is interested in using the Bradley ward site for industrial purposes. Furthermore, the residents welcomed the land use as residential since clearly the noise and pollution from heavy/light industry no longer needs to be in the centre. Ahem, thats why there are industrial units such as lomeshay, easier motorway access etc..
What really pishes me off is outsiders, you know, those who would like to see 'canal wharf residencies' overlooking what once WAS a beautiful cotton town.
Reminicences of Burnley which was once the true world epicentre of cotton mill and trading along the Leeds and Liverpool canal.
Urban sprawl is of main concern in Pendle since existing housing can be used. Instead, what we see are greedy corporate developers 'seeking' out new worlds, boldly wanting to develop where no one has gone before.
Citizens of Pendle (and elsewhere) are becoming more aware of the political and corporate intricacies that pose a threat to them, particularly regarding 'indeterminate' schemes such as elevate. Better the devil we know lest the sheep reveals itself as the wolf?
Environmental health threats always draw attention. None moreso than those that have unknown side-effects. The UK government have allowed a technology to be introduced and imposed upon our society without a safety certificate. Mobile phone masts for some reason are not subjected to the same quantafiable scientific rigours as foodstuffs, yet many eminent scientists (including the UK's own) state the long-term effects may have adverse health implications in those living or working near them.
In 2006, Together Against Masts (TAM) and Pendle Residents against Insensitive Siting of Masts (PRISM) aim to pool their resources and ensure communities in both Burnley & Pendle are not subjected to the unsafe technology as that from mobile phone masts. As vice-chairman of PRISM, my main priority for 2006 is to implement a better campaign strategy and change government policies to achieve this aim.
This may mean direct action to remove the source that is seen to be causing illness in those near to a telecommunications development. To this I pledge never to veer.
It's a fact of life, that under pressure, humans tend to bow to authority.
Unfortunately, that 'bowing' has become more and more prevalent over the last few years.
Educating people means giving them a 'Voice'!
Although I wandered for hours posting leaflets that informed people of the new unreasearched technology, that may one day be the source of their child's illness, it was worth it. For out of the fog came another voice that supported mine. And together we can make changes that we all, in the future, will nourish.
In 2006 Pendle Borough council will be subject to scrutiny as never before. There will be NO changes unless the residents agree. Corporate greed backed by government policy will not override Pendles citizens voice.
Our voice is clear, that in this new year
unless we agree, as democracy
no change will act
and that, is a FACT!
Happy new year everyone...
Gary
