"At last a decision has been made and the provision of 21st-century medical facilities is soon very likely to be a reality for the patients of Cranleigh Medical Practice", says Lynda MacDermott, on behalf of Cranleigh Labour Party.
"I also call on
the supporters of CVHT to think carefully about their next moves,
and
not just to react in their disappointment at the choice of site for the new
health centre and village hospital and possibly jeopardise the project."
"I ask them to think of the positive advantages for the whole community; not only will there be modern services in Cranleigh for the older members of the community, but for all members of the practice. There will be no more long journeys into Guildford for x-rays or day case procedures."
"Think about being able to have blood tests and ultrasound scans on the spot", says Lynda. "Think about consultations in privacy and in surroundings that bring our world class NHS into the heart of Cranleigh. If you are a patient of the practice you can't help but welcome this news."
"These are the sorts of facilities that a community needs if it is to develop in a vibrant and confident way, believing that it is worthy of having the best."
"All too often, any suggestion of new developments in Cranleigh engenders an automatic howl of protest. A 'NO' to the thought of new housing, a 'NO' to even investigating a new rail link with Guildford and the rest of the country. Let's hope this isn't going to be another 'NO'"
"I call upon CVHT not to make a legal challenge to this decision, so that time doesn't run out and the opportunity isn't lost for us to have a health centre which will serve the whole community."
Dunsfold
development
Labour's
submissions to the Public Inquiry from
1.
Keith Chesterton
2.
Lynda
MacDermott
Tories say NO to more affordable housing
We
are disappointed that the proposed eco-town was turned down by the Planning
Inspector. It was the most imaginative environmental development of its type
in Europe. Local transport issues were being considered and it would have
helped to stimulate the reinstatement of the nearby Cranleigh to Guildford
rail link. The reopening of this line is already high on the list of possibilities
being reviewed by the train operating companies. The development would have
led to improvements to the local road network.
Previously inaccessible land would have become available for public leisure purposes and the planned restoration of the adjacent Wey & Arun canal with a new canal basin would have added to local leisure facilities.
What next for the airfield?
It is an industrial site employing about 700 people in a range of companies and it isn't going to disappear merely because local 'Nimbies' have destroyed the eco-town plan. An expansion of these businesses should be expected. It could also operate again as an airfield. We are assured that there is a serious shortage of airfields for small aircraft and executive jets in the area. The runways, which are both intact, are capable of taking medium-sized jets so it would be reasonable to expect aviation activities to be developed again. It is not likely to become quiet rural backwater that perhaps some locals are expecting.
When they opposed the eco-town did they really want the return of a busy airfield?
Affordable housing
Waverley Borough Council says it has affordable housing as one of its two top priorities. Yet it has fought against this scheme to provide 910 affordable homes out of 2600 in this proposal . Waverley's own figures given at the Public Inquiry, show there is a need for 622 affordable homes EACH year - after allowing for re-lets, and so on and the Council has achieved only 80 per year in the last few years.. When the cheapest housing in Waverley costs ten times the low end average wage a year, you can see why there is such a need.
Waverley's Housing Officer would like to build more, but the Conservative councillors of Waverley won't let him. They say that affordable housing is a top priority but refuse to do anything about it.
Actions speak louder than words
Both Ann Milton and Jeremy Hunt, our two local Conservative MPs have opposed the Dunsfold Park scheme and spoke against it at the public inquiry. Yet they also say they want more affordable homes!
Obviously they don't want them anywhere near their most ardent supporters in the rural areas. They are both Shadow Ministers and therefore we can assume that they reflect the attitudes of the Shadow Cabinet on affordable housing.
The Liberal Democrats initially opposed the development but later changed their position and supported it.
