NEWS FROM CAPRI - 42
1. Fund Raising
I am delighted to say that we have reached our Fighting Fund
target of £35,000. From our first fund raising event in April to the last one at
the end of June there were just 80 days. The fact that this large amount of money
has been raised so quickly is a magnificent achievement and demonstrates the very
strong feeling held by so many people to NG’s proposal; this must in itself
weigh with the Inspector
2. Change in the Law
There will very soon be a small but very important change in
the law. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric
Pickles (who will be the person to decide the appeal), has written to local
planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate to say that, in the matter
of housing and planning, decision making will be returned to local councils.
The effect of this is that the decision of Tewkesbury Borough Council – a
unanimous rejection of NG’s planning application – will weigh more heavily with
the Inspector than it would have done previously. This is good news!
It follows from the above that impressing upon the Inspector
the strength of public feeling is very important, and for this reason we are
encouraging all who can to turn up at the start of the Inquiry (and, of course,
throughout it if possible). To this end we have produced a poster which we hope
will be displayed widely and I attached a copy in the hope that you will find a
space for it not already covered by one.
3. PIGging
As part of the their evidence, NG provided us with guidelines
which state very clearly that pipelines should be ‘pigged’ both before testing
and again before commissioning. We have asked NG directly whether they pigged
the new pipeline as recommended two years ago. They have said baldly that they did,
but have not said how they pigged a pipeline two years ago - apparently without
a pig trap - but need one today. Either they are lying (a dangerous strategy,
and therefore unlikely?) or they again show that they have no idea how to deal
with queries from the public. We have not yet given up; we are putting the
question again to them in a way which an answer cannot be avoided.
4. Security
At the Pre-Inquiry Meeting the Inspector asked NG to meet us
in order to brief us on the proposed security at the installation. That meeting
has taken place but only confirms what we previously had thought: the security
would keep out a vandal or opportunist metal thief but a determined,
knowledgeable and well-armed attacker would be able to break through the
perimeter fence with relatively little trouble – a JCB or large lorry would do
the trick – and would be able to lay his charges wheresoever he chose. NG make
the point that this would be immediately visible on CCTV screens at the control
centre and that the police would respond as a matter of urgency. Respond, that
is with such forces as were available to them after the impending financial cuts
and if those forces had not previously been diverted by a mischievous false
alarm elsewhere within the county! And when those police arrive, and what they
would then do, is a matter for conjecture.
5. Inquiry Dates
The Inquiry will start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 13th
July, at the Corse & Staunton Village Hall. The Inquiry, which does not
normally sit on Mondays, is scheduled to take eight days.
As mentioned above, the values of local communities now have
a greater weight than previously. It is important, therefore, that we make it
clear to the Inspector that the community is very strongly opposed to this
proposal and the best way now to do that is by a strong public presence at the
Public Inquiry, especially on the opening day.
So, if you value your countryside – Be there!
Joseph Gabbott
Secretary
6.7.10