On 2 Jul 2008 at 4:48pm Interested wrote:
I heard from my son today,who was chatting to a driver from Wenban Smith,that the final sale price was 14 million.I hadn't heard this,is it old news?
On 2 Jul 2008 at 5:05pm Local wrote:
I bet Barratts are regretting it now.
On 2 Jul 2008 at 6:08pm Very interested. wrote:
I must admit,I know a little bit about the recent proposals in Lewes.That is about as far as it goes.I Googled Wenban Smith,Barratts,and came up with an interesrting website,Lewes Matters.I have read some of the posts in the forum and a Mr Hill says 'There are a lot of Lewes residents who know little or nothing of the recent propsals in Lewes'. Well,that is me.Could someone explain very simply what has been going on? What has 'Angel' got to do with it all? And why may Barratts be regretting it?And can we object if we don't like the sound of what is going to happen?
On 2 Jul 2008 at 7:53pm Spinster Of This Parish wrote:
Mr Hill is one of the planning officers at the District Council. Given his track record of being snide and arrogant, I do not feel he should be trusted.
I doubt that the site would sell for 14m - possibly 2-3m.
Keep an eye on planning application advertisements (in Sussex Express) each week. There is an opportunity to comment on any planning applications but Lewes District Council tend to ignore and proceed regardless. But be warned, large developments are usually advertised at prime holiday times and the opportunity to comment has to be within three weeks.
On 2 Jul 2008 at 8:21pm s.oliver wrote:
Mr Hill sums it up nicely.
Despite being a public servant, Mr Hill shows his contempt for the people who pay for his services. Sadly he is not the only Planning Officer behaving so inappropriately.
Councillors having been little better, as they have been following inaccurate Council advice not to speak to the public about planning issues. This is not only undemocratic, but also in breach of their Code of Conduct
Just imagine what this combination of problems results in!
Many Lewesians know ratrher more than Mr Hill about planning matters, which is why a number of serious mistakes have been identified, and questionable practices. Most involve 'errors' that have benefitted the applicant.
The town is at war with its own District Council, resulting in 500 people joining a march after a member of the public was threatened by planning officers with court for putting a protest poster on her house.
Lindsay Frost has told a number of people that there are just a few 'trouble makers' The fact that he can't even tell the difference between 'a few' and 500 people is hardly reassuring.
On 2 Jul 2008 at 8:38pm very interested wrote:
Thanks.I see now how things are linked.Do you think there is any truth in the 14 million Wenban Smith selling price,
And what has 'Angel' got to do with anything?
And is the Sussex Express the only way we can find out what is going on...? Sorry for all the questions.
On 2 Jul 2008 at 10:06pm 1264 wrote:
try this:
www.lewes.gov.uk/environment/778.asp
On 2 Jul 2008 at 11:29pm s.oliver wrote:
I have no idea who paid what for the site. if indeed it has actually been sold yet. Planning permission was recently refused, and may effect any plans.
Angel Property (this is a coverall expression for various 'Angel' companies related to Charles Style (see Companies House) have an interest in some of the land on the old Phoenix Ironworks site. This is related to the wenban Smith site, only in that they would both relate to each otherin this area of town. Barrets seem to have/have had, an interest in both sites.
If you wish further information from a non Council source you can contact Lewesmatters and ask for a contact name, or Phoenix Action.
If you wish to contact Charles Style record everything he says, at it has a tendency to change or defy logic. Just read a thread on Lewesmatters about how he would logically describe an 8story tower as just 4 story, but with a 4 story tower of flats above. This apparently isnt a massive 8 story tower block.
You might also ask about his latest solution to dealing with a fire station on a flood plain, but don't choke laughing.
On 3 Jul 2008 at 12:25pm Local wrote:
Very interested - if you want an example of how Angel Proprty works take a look at the information available on their Jam Factory project in South London: www.pastdevelopments.com
Barratt may be regretting the purchase of the Wenban Smith site because they are now in deep trouble over the credit crunch - see the daily reports in the press.
On 3 Jul 2008 at 12:37pm Lighter wrote:
It's interesting that Lindsay Frost thinks the discontent can be put down to a few troublemakers. What Mr Frost forgets is that he is answerable to the councillors, and the councillors are answerable to the people - or should be. There are some excellent people working for the council, unfortunately Lindsay Frost and Andrew Hill are noty among them.
On 3 Jul 2008 at 1:23pm V.Interested. wrote:
Thanks for all your very informative answers.I have looked at the links from Lewes Matters,and have read about the Phoenix Develepment and all the people involved.Bit more to it than I originally thought!.
Being natuarally sceptical,I feel that there is a lot more to it than what I have been reading.And your answers have reflected that.Like a lot of Lewes folk,I know 'a bit'about what goes on.Jenny's poster,the march and I keep an eye on this forum,but I didn't know how it is all linked.I'm getting there and it is VERY interesting!
Any more info would be gladly welcomed.
On 3 Jul 2008 at 1:56pm Lighter wrote:
V.Interested: I think you'll find the 'link' is Lewes District Council which, as other posters have said, has an incompetent planning department that is unable to cope with the developers. Nobody wants development to stop. What people want to be sure of is that the planning authority is competent enough to evaluate applications properly in the interests of the town. There have been so many 'mistakes' that people are afraid more than simple incompetence may be involved.
On 3 Jul 2008 at 2:27pm V.Interested. wrote:
Isn't there anything we can do then? How can we find out what is really going on? Don't we get a say in what gets built?
On 3 Jul 2008 at 6:52pm Local wrote:
Barratts are the firm that put in the application to build houses on the Wenban Smith site.
'Troubled housebuilder Barratt Developments today closed six offices and culled 1,000 jobs as it reacted to the collapse in demand for new homes.
'Staff were told that the difficult situation at the housebuilder meant it needed to shed 15% of its 6,500 strong workforce.
'Barratt, like other housebuilders, is struggling to cope with a 60% dive in housing starts since June last year. It is also weighed down by 1.8bn of debt, which has combined to push down its share price by 84% in two months to 42p.'
On 3 Jul 2008 at 7:43pm MC wrote:
Interesting times. I look forward to a meeting of corrupt/inept Lewes planning department and lawless anti-state/religion bonfire sentiment.
V.Interested. Do you by any chance have a *particular* reason for being very interested?
MC
On 3 Jul 2008 at 10:23pm V.Interested. wrote:
No.I don't.I drink in the Gardners and the Lewes Arms.And am very unassuming and trying to get a bit more knowledge.You seem to know such a lot and I felt at a disadvantage.Especially since the gossip I heard sounded like it came from a sound source....The amount,14 million,sounded excessive to me,and that is why I asked the original question.Honest,I am not part of a conspiracy.I wish I could reveal myself!
On 3 Jul 2008 at 10:38pm Smiler wrote:
There seems to be a lot of us on here that drink in The Gardners
Shall we all wear red carnations for a week and play spot the poster?
On 4 Jul 2008 at 12:21am V.Interested. wrote:
Be there Friday night. If anyone is willing to show me their flower I will get mine out too....
On 4 Jul 2008 at 9:55pm Spinster Of This Parish wrote:
I'll be the one with a wedding ring!
On 5 Jul 2008 at 8:11am bachelor of the parish wrote:
where will you be wearing it hunny ????
On 6 Jul 2008 at 11:53am Spinster Of This Parish wrote:
Have you heard of a ring pessary?
On 6 Jul 2008 at 12:00pm The Tooth Fairy wrote:
That's a bit much for a Sunday morning, Spinster.