Ignoring the voice of local people (From Western Telegraph)

Ignoring the voice of local people

12:36pm Friday 15th March 2013 in Letters

IS it ignorance, arrogance or sheer bloody mindedness that has prompted Pembrokeshire County Council to proceed with their outrageous plan to build a major civic amenity site next to the home of 40 of the most vulnerable adults living in this part of Pembrokeshire?

One could possibly assume ignorance on the part of the leader of the County Council, Cllr Jamie Adams who stated: “Whilst I accept that these proposals are in opposition to the opinion of the campaign group, I haven’t seen any evidence that this opposition extends beyond this.”

Is Cllr Adams aware of what has been happening in his authority area, or does he just see the goings on in County Hall and nowhere else?

A petition of 5,000 signatures with comments against this proposal is available for him to view.

There has been extensive media coverage nationally and locally in both the newspapers and television. A petition to the Welsh Assembly has been submitted and is currently being considered. There has been opposition from celebrities, AMs and MPs.

There was a protest outside of County Hall in October 2012 and we protest outside Brooklands itself three times a week. Isn’t this clear evidence that the opposition extends beyond the campaign group?

Cllr Adams continues in his statement: “I am concerned that you would question whether this council would prioritise performance figures before the health, safety and wellbeing of the community in and around the proposed site or that it would embark on a path of disregard to the most vulnerable adults in our county.”

Quite clearly, this is exactly what our county council is doing – completely ignoring the voice of local people who are against this proposal, and by doing so showing a total disregard for our loved ones all of whom lack the mental capacity to protest against having a tip just metres away from their home.

We ask the people of Pembrokeshire, who have so far supported our cause, to continue to support us by lodging your objections in writing to the national park as soon as possible Please consider, if the county council is allowed to go ahead with this outrageous proposal what will they do next?

BROOKLANDS RELATIVES SUPPORT GROUP

 

I FEEL compelled to write this letter, as I am finally convinced that Pembrokeshire County Council are unfit for purpose.

Eight months ago they proposed building the new Tenby dump next to a 40-bed nursing home. After huge protests both locally and nationally, including a 4,816 signature petition, they agreed to further reviews and assessments.

And then surprise, surprise, we found out this week that they intend to proceed with the application and have submitted a planning application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Do the powers-that-be care about the feelings of the people of Pembrokeshire? I suggest not. Are they competent to run the county, spending vast sums of your money. Their recent record in both education, health and social care would suggest no.

Finally to attempt to build an industrial complex next to Brooklands Nursing Home. Hands up if you think it is a good idea.

I am happy to admit there are some excellent local councillors. But Councillor Ken Rowlands, who protested against a similar scheme in his own village, is happy to back this scheme as it’s not in his back garden.

When I attempted to speak to chief executive Bryn Parry Jones about the proposed citing of the new tip, his secretary said he did not speak to members of the public. These people I suggest should not be in office.

If like me you feel angry and let down by your council and would like to help the residents of Brooklands Home, prevent the citing of the new Tenby tip next door to them, write to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in Pembroke Dock.

And don’t forget, you voted them in. You can vote them out.

Mike Bridge,

Manager,

Brooklands Home Ty Hin Llangygog