COMMUNITY DAY IS ON - 3/11/07 at PM

Saturday November 3rd is the date of the Community Day that the Architects for Oracle Homes John Thompson and Partners have chosen for a day of discussions and workshops on the future development of the Parson Mead Site.  The meeting will take the form of an introduction followed by workshops and syndicate sessions to discuss how the site is to be used.  The architects have said that the site will be a mixed one with the lead activity being housing.  They say however, there is a role for community/educational use as well.  Your chance to express your views about the future of this site will start at this meeting.  There may be a chance to influence the plans that the Architects and Developers have before the statutory process begins.  Please remember that the meeting is to discuss the future for the site.  There is no link between the former owners of the site and the current owners.  Representatives of the Parsons Mead Action Group have already met with representatives of the developers and the architects to discuss the plans for the day.  This process has been used extensively by the architects.  It will be an all day event but there is no need for everyone to be there all day, it will be possible to drop in and out of the event.  We have made representations already about retaining at least some of the newer school buildings for educational uses as well as retaining the former sports field which is restricted by planning rules to use for community/educational purposes.  The developers have employed educational consultants to look at the demands on educational facilities in the area.   We have been promised a copy of the leaflets that will be sent to all the residents in the immediate vicinity and published in the Leatherhead Advertiser.  In addition to being published on this and the ARA website there will be a news letter containing the details sent to all subscribers to our mailing list via email.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS AND HOPES FOR THE SITE - PLEASE USE IT

IN OTHER NEWS

We have now had a response from Chris Grayling's requests to the Charity Commission and the Department of Justice.  The Charity Commission basically believe that all the Action Group want is a large slice of the £16 million proceeds from the sale for its members and say they have already reviewed the case and can find nothing further.  Our request was actually for them to review their own actions and failures in communication.  The Department of Justice appear to have passed our comments to the Cabinet Office who seem to have responsibility for charity matters.  They say sorry but they can't do anything since there was a new charities act recently and they can't get involved in the Charity Commission - which begs the question who can you complain about the work of the Charity Commission to.

 

The first case is due in court in the next couple of days.