Stamford, Grantham and Rutland letter writers share their views with LincsOnline
Readers have shared their thoughts on what’s in the news.
Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson.
Send your letters to news@lincsonline.co.uk
Proposed development represents 80 years of failure
So Rutland is threatened with yet another solar farm development, totally inappropriate in scale to the landscape and community upon which it will be imposed. This is all the more tragic given the past failures in planning, regulation and stewardship of the countryside that might have prevented such a development.
Many Rutlanders will be unaware that part of the proposed Kilnside development site was, nearly 80 years ago, put forward for designation as an area of national importance for its landscape and wildlife value. The picturesque district around Clipsham, Holywell and Pickworth was proposed as a Conservation Area by the Hobhouse Committee, a special Government board that laid the foundations for England’s National Parks back in 1947. These conservation areas weren’t set up for the architectural and built environment, for which Stamford is rightly famed. When the 1947 conservation areas were followed by legislation in 1949, they became known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Then, as now, Rutland was let down by the politicians of the day, who failed to take on board the recommendations of the committee and so this precious corner of Rutland lost out on a designation that would have safeguarded it’s landscape and wildlife for generations to come. Had they acted then, the Clipsham-Holywell complex would today sit alongside the Cotswolds, the Chilterns, and the North Norfolk Coast, areas that are Nationally recognised and safeguarded for their scenic and conservation value.
Within the proposed conservation area/AONB it was also proposed to designate Holywell and Pickworth woods as a National Nature Reserve; again, this never happened. It is too late to get back what has been lost, given the wholesale changes to the countryside in the last 80 years. But surely we can resist turning what remains of this treasured landscape, into a quasi-industrial energy farm? I can do no better than quote some words contained in the 1947 report, when discussing the blend of landscape, geology, farming patterns and wildlife that gave each conservation area their unique character: “All these elements blend into a whole, which often possesses (a) singular beauty….the defacement or disappearance of the singular characters of such a region involve an irreparable loss.”
Chris Gardiner
Belmesthorpe
Views should be tested more broadly
The anonymous letter in the paper last week not only impugns my probity without foundation - warranting an apology - but also misses the core of my earlier argument. I never suggested that the majorities at Alicia Kearns’ meetings were statistically representative of all Rutland residents. Rather, in the absence of a genuinely democratic process (for example, a referendum), those gatherings offer valuable early insights into local sentiment. Such views deserve to be tested more broadly, for instance through systematic soundings of every parish council. This is all the more urgent given that Rutland County Council’s consultation (closing July 20) is framed so respondents cannot directly state a preferred option—arguably to avoid the awkward truth of a de facto vote.
While Councillor Chatfield’s response reasonably outlined central government’s narrow devolution framework, RCC should nevertheless be free to advance alternative proposals to the Leicestershire option should those better reflect the majority view of its constituents. An objective assessment of the county’s preferences should in all reasonableness be sought by RCC and acted upon.
It was also incorrect to claim that no objective benefits of a merger with Lincolnshire were presented. Attendees cited tangible gains in health‐care coordination, policing, traffic management, housing development and access to the arts.
Finally, despite your correspondent’s professed devotion to accuracy—and contrary to their assertion of fewer than 150 participants—the total attendance at Alicia’s meetings exceeded that figure. If factual rigour truly matters, let us acknowledge the real numbers rather than hide behind anonymity.
Andrew Nebel
Ryhall
Have your say
I would be grateful if you could note in your newspaper that the July Oakham South Ward Surgery will take place on Saturday, July 5, between 10am and midday at The George Hotel in Oakham Market Place. Councillors Paul Browne, Diane Ellison and Ray Payne will be in attendance. As always, no appointment is needed and all are welcome. We often get residents from outside both the ward and Oakham, this is not a problem we can easily re-direct residents to the relevant councillors or council officers as required. Thank you for your attention
Raymond Payne
Rutland County Council
The rearranged meeting on Local Government Reorganisation will be held at the Scout Hut on Grampian Way, Oakham, on Tuesday, July 8. Doors open 6.45pm.
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss the process going forward, the possible organisational options, and raise any concerns you may have, arising from the change.
Please note this meeting is for residents of Oakham North West only.
Note that monthly surgeries will continue to be held at the George Hotel at a time to suit you. Please contact us through our Rutland County Council email address to make an appointment:
Councillors Steve McRobb and Ramsay Ross
Rutland County Council
SMcRobb@rutland.gov.uk
RRoss@rutland.gov.uk
Second town bridge needed
Regarding the closure of Stamford Town Bridge, not one more house of any description - five-bedroom right down to one bedroom - should be built in Stamford or the surrounding area until there is a second river crossing.
Brian Jackson
Stamford
Apart from asking why Lincolnshire County Council couldn't do their remedial work on the Town Bridge at a quieter time of year we might also ask them what work they've done to ensure that Paradise Bridge can take the extra pedestrian traffic over a minimum six week period.
I imagine that they did a long-term survey of pedestrian traffic over the Town Bridge over an extended period to gauge/predict usage and, apart from other things, were satisfied that there wouldn't be congestion, that the bridge can take the extra traffic (who can forget the first incarnation of the Thames Millennium Bridge wobbling with more people using it than the planners thought?), that adequate 'No Cycling Signs' are clearly visible and all other safety aspects have been covered. etc.
Ian Dodd
Stamford
What would you rather?
I read with interest several letters in June 20 edition of the Mercury prophesying the end of the world when Stamford’s Town Bridge is closed for several weeks.
A) would drivers prefer to be on the bridge when it collapses?
B) the closure might encourage people to ditch the car and use their feet to get around our lovely town which certainly wasn’t designed for motor vehicles.
Duncan Lingard
Stamford
A ring of concrete
I note with interest that the Cecil Family Trust will be involved in the delivery of 268 new homes on the Exeter Fields site and, along Burghley Estates, are part of the Stamford North development of 2000 houses. In addition, the trusts’ involvement in the Barnack Road site and many recently completed estates means they have effectively put a ring of concrete around our town. It reminds me of Pete Seeger’s prophetic song, “Little Boxes”, but in this modern version of the song our town will have houses, retirement homes and coffee shops which will all look just the same!
Carl Killgren
Stamford
Town looks lovely
Thank you Stamford in Bloom for the stunning flower displays throughout the year to brighten Stamford. Also thank you for the chair displays this summer around the town and to the local businesses who care for them. A wonderful addition to our already beautiful town.
Helen Darnes
Stamford
But flags do not
Just had a Friday stroll along Stamford’s beautiful High Street but couldn’t help but notice 50 per cent of the union flags were upside down!
Could it be that the powers that be simply don’t know or don’t care which way our national flag is flown?
Dave Coulam
Stamford
Celebrating a good decision
Those who care for the countryside environment of Bourne, its natural amenities and its wildlife habitat will for long be loudly celebrating the applaudable historic decision by a planning inspector to throw out the appeal by Aldi Stores Limited against the well-reasoned and wholly justifiable refusal by South Kesteven District Council for it to build a modern supermarket on farmland to the east of Bourne Wood.
This landmark ancient woodland which is recorded in the Domesday Book and is one of the largest in Lincolnshire, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, is regularly used and greatly valued not only by many of the town’s residents but those in the wider locality. The woods are a wonderful free-to-enter popular family attraction at all seasons of the year.
While the proposed development would itself not have intruded into the woods, there is the risk that it could have impacted on its biodiversity through noise, dust or lighting, often into late evening. Once built, there would be no going back, and the essential character of the woods could be lost forever.
As it stands, Bourne has already a very reasonable choice of major supermarkets, and there surely is no need to build another on a virgin site and run the risk of the development having an adverse effect on the town's distinctive rural hinterland.
Maybe the time is now right for the site, which lies to the north of West Road, to be leased or better still bought outright by a trust or charity with the aim of protecting it in perpetuity for future generations, maybe as a wildflower meadow adjacent to the woodland as a permanent buffer zone between it and the current built-up area, to which the woods form an exceptionally-attractive backdrop, perhaps with grant aid funding. Let’s go for it!
Robin Jones
Baston
It’s time to adjust the clock
Would somebody please adjust the hands on the newly refurbished clock at the Guildhall?
At present when the minute hand is at half past, the hour hand points to the hour rather than at mid point between the hours.
It's playing havoc with my OCD!
Lyn Hogan
Grantham
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who supported us on Saturday in the Isaac Newton Centre when we held our tabletop sale for Doris Banham Dog Rescue.
We raised over £250 on the day and every penny will go directly to our dogs.
Our next date in the Isaac Newton Centre which will be on Saturday, September 27.
Anne Lockwood
Grantham
The real reason for Brexit vote
If Mr Morgan, last week, and Mr Hodges the week before, really understood why so many Brits voted for Brexit the keyword has always been ‘sovereignty’, or simply where and who makes our laws.
We now know that the UCHR (European Court of Human Rights) still has massive legal power over us but sometimes it accidentally works in Britain’s (and the world’s) favour. Recently an RAF drone used a missile to kill an IS Jihadi terrorist in Syria because the UCHR said it was illegal to capture him using the SAS.
Again the UCHR would have stopped the captured suspect from extradition back to Syria because of the risk of torture there, or taken to Britain which has no extradition treaty with Syria, because, suddenly, he's an ‘asylum seeker’, like all the others.
This left the RAF’s solution to this problem which saved millions of our money (court costs), and countless lives. The terrorist was actually manufacturing biological weapons.
I would rather trust our RAF 'decision makers' than those in Brussels, Strasbourg or even Westminster.
Rod Hatherill
Lodge Way, Grantham
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