(Article first brought to the attention of FOXNWOLF.COM on 29th January 2009 @ 17:00hrs by "Rod (Terry) Spinks" Rtd RM)
Victory on the home front
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
In a humiliating climbdown, planners gave “agreement in principle” for Marine Joe Townsend’s adapted bungalow in his grandparents’ garden.
We revealed two weeks ago that his local council had refused permission, saying it infringed rules.
The public reacted with fury, with almost 200,000 signing a Facebook petition. PM Gordon Brown even joined the fight, insisting the council “do the right thing”.
Joe, 20, was “overjoyed” last night. His mum Debi Hawkins was in tears when she called him at Forces rehab centre Headley Court in Surrey to break the news.
She said: “I am very emotional. It’s going to mean so much to him.”
Grandad David Carter, 72, said: “The Sun has been brilliant.”
Commando Joe stepped on an anti-tank mine on patrol in Helmand a year ago.
The bungalow is his only chance of an independent life.
David and wife Lynda, 60, offered to build it out of sight of the road beside their detached home in Hankham, East Sussex. But it was refused.
Wealden Council’s head of planning Kelvin Williams visited the Carters at home yesterday. His recommendations will be rubber-stamped next week.
Retired builder David said: “Words can not express how happy we all are.”
10TH FEBRUARY 2009
IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY JOE'S FAMILY AND THE COUNCIL THAT JOE WILL GET HIS BUNGALOW, A JOINT STATEMENT WAS RELEASED, SMALL CHANGES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BUT THE MAIN THING JOE GET'S HIS OWN BUNGALOW.
"Wait now for Final Outcome.......foxnwolf"
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/article2225721.ece
10th February (Joint statement from Mr David Carter &the WDC)
Joe Townsend Planning Application Statement
This joint statement is issued by Mr David Carter and Wealden District Council in relation to the planning application for a bungalow for Marine Joe Townsend.
A scheme has now been agreed in principle which planning officers consider is supportable.
Mr Carter who is Joe's grandfather will now submit a new application. Mr Carter said "We have had a fruitful discussion and I am optimistic that the scheme will meet Joe's needs and will receive a fair hearing. I am grateful to the Council for being open to a new approach".
Councillor Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council said "We have been anxious to resolve this difficult issue from the start and are glad that a solution has been identified. However, this case has raised a number of deep concerns over national policy and I shall be writing to the Prime Minister urging him to issue further Government guidance on the provision that local authorities make for servicemen and women disabled in the service of their country".
Comment from FOXnWOLF...............Cllr, Doodes, it was not National Policy that caused this it was Cllr, Barby Dashwood - Hall who threw the Vote and a few others who led it to that point. The WDC is passing the Buck and the Blame for their own incompetence, lack of commonsense and moral fibre. Which is typical of todays Bureaucrats.
Please direct any comments to: PR@wealden.gov.uk "Jim Van Den Bos"
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON, UNTIL ITS DONE
9th February @ 19:38 GMT (From; FOXNWOLF.COM)
KEEP EMAILING, WDC, MEDIA, NOELS HQ, FACEBOOK ETC.......ALL IN THE SAME MESSAGE
"Nothing to consider, Grant Original Planning Application with No Provisions, Deals or Personal Save my Ass Suggestions. Then have a Re - Election"
9 February 2009
Joe Townsend Planning Application Statement
We have always recognised the huge sacrifice that Joe has made and have been wholly committed to working with Joe, his family and their planning agent to ensure that he gets the home he needs and deserves.
Immediately following the planning decision, we approached Joe's Grandfather and wish to work with him to reach a solution which is acceptable to everyone. We have agreed with the family that we will meet at their earliest convenience and that meeting will take place this week.
"With a successful outcome from that meeting, we will do everything possible to make sure his application is determined without delay,” said Councillor Roy Galley, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning & Housing Delivery.
"Working within legal timescales, this could mean a decision in principle as early as the end of next week.
"Whilst our immediate priority is resolving this issue for Joe, we are also deeply concerned that there is no specific Government planning guidance in the matter of special arrangements for injured servicemen," he added.
" We will therefore be urging the Prime Minister to reduce the chances of any other council being caught in a situation where there is a heart-rending pressure created by a badly-injured service man or woman needing special accommodation in an area where planning policy directs it to be inappropriate."
"Immediately following the planning decision, we approached Joe's Grandfather and wish to work with him to reach a solution which is acceptable to everyone."
We knew that bit anyway doesn’t sound much like a back down to me?
RED HOT OFF THE PRESS
By Bill Mouland
Last updated at 4:52 PM on 08th February 2009
Gordon Brown: The nation owes marine Joe Townsend great gratitude
Gordon Brown has ordered a ‘heartless’ council to think again over its decision to refuse permission for a special home to be built for 20-year-old Royal Marine Joe Townsend who had both his legs blown off by a Taliban anti-tank mine.
‘The whole country owes Joe a huge debt of gratitude for the sacrifice he has made to this country and it’s unacceptable that he has been stopped from having a home of his choice,’ he said.
Mr Townsend, who has had 20 operations in hospital, had hoped to build a specially adapted bungalow in the ground of his grandparents’ home near Pevensey, East Sussex.
But despite no objections from neighbours, Wealden District Council turned down the application because it said the building would be ‘intrusive.’
‘The circumstances in this case are not considered sufficient to warrant an exception to the usual restraint policies,’ it said.
Mr Brown’s dramatic intervention came during Saturday night’s Noel’s HQ show on Sky One when Noel Edmonds highlighted the case and presented the young soldier’s mother Debbie with a state of the art all terrain wheelchair for him.
Mr Edmonds said he had never felt so angry after the council’s spokesman Jim Van den Bos told him: ‘We don’t talk to entertainment shows like yours.’
He replied: ‘I want to feature people like you and your council because I think you are what is wrong at the heart of the country.’
In a statement issued to the show, Mr Brown deplored the council’s decision and said: ‘Wealden District Council must reconsider this.’
The council has already been described as ‘heartless’ by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears while Mr Townsend’s Tory MP Gregory Barker said new guidance should be issued so that the council could not stand in the way of ‘a home for a hero.’
Hopeful: Joe Townsend clutches the plans to his bungalow, pictured with his grandparents David and Lynda Carter and Zoe Mehet (centre)
A Facebook site has 140,000 messages of support for Mr Townsend and there is also a 7,000 signature petition.
Mr Townsend, who had wanted to be a soldier since he was 13, had only been in Afghanistan for a few months when he trod on the roadside device 800 yards from the Royal Marines base in Helmand Province.
Currently in the Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey after yet another operation he has refused to be downhearted about his plight and aims to start walking again with artificial legs.
The only thing getting in his way, he says, is Wealden District Council. He said: ‘I said I had been a local lad all my life and always wanted to live round my grandad’s. His idea of building me a place in the paddock was a massive incentive to me to crack on, get better and get my independence back. The rejection was a kick in the teeth.’
In a statement the council said: ‘We have received an unprecedented number of enquiries regarding the planning application for Royal Marine Joe Townsend. We appreciate their concerns in what is a highly emotive issue and we are doing our best to reply to everyone.
We think it is important that everyone who knows about Joe's case fully understands both the reason for this Council's decision on January 8 and the current situation.
Whilst this Council is fully committed to providing help and assistance to representatives of all our armed forces who have been injured in the service of this Country, we also have a duty to balance any proposals for new development with the strongly held wishes of the community in Wealden to protect our rural environment.
‘The Council has made it clear throughout that they are prepared to negotiate with Joe and his family to secure independent local accommodation for Joe. We have suggested a number of alternative proposals which we are discussing with the planning agent and family representatives.
‘All staff and councillors fully support the need to find a solution to Joe's housing needs. We remain committed to working with the family to help find a satisfactory outcome.’
5:45pm Sunday 8th February 2009
A paralysed war hero will be allowed to build a specially-adapted bungalow at his grandparents' home after a council caved in to pressure to reverse a planning decision.
A senior Conservative source has confirmed that Tory-run Wealden District Council will allow 20-year-old Royal Marine Joe Townsend to build his dream home, stating the local authority is "going to make sure it happens".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron urged the authority to reverse its decision after Mr Townsend appeared in The Argus.
Mr Townsend's grandfather David Carter, 72, submitted the application to finance and build the bungalow in paddock land at his home in Hankham Hall Road, Pevensey.
But Mr Townsend, who lost both his legs, one completely and one to the knee after stepping on a landmine in February last year, was left devastated when the application was turned down.
He has undergone a succession of operations, with another planned next month, plus rehabilitation at Headley Court in Surrey, but away from his family.
Mr Brown, prior to the cave in, said: "The whole country owes Joe huge gratitude for the sacrifice he's made for our country. It's unacceptable that he is being stopped from having the home of his choice."
Councillors last month voted by a slim majority to reject the plans incorporating a bathroom and carers room, deeming them 'intrusive', despite listening to Mr Townsend's own arguments first hand.
More than 152,000 protesters have signed a Facebook group entitled “Support for Joe to get his bungalow” and 8,000-plus have signed a petition on the 10 Downing Street website.
Joes Grandfather is having a meeting on Tuesday 10th February we will know for sure then "standby"
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON, UNTIL ITS DONE
"KEEP SENDING EMAILS TO "Noels HQ" TILL ITS ALL OVER"
Sky are keen to gauge the amount of support Joe has for his case. If you support Joe, please send an email with the title
“I support Joe Townsend’s request to build a bungalow”
(copy the text from the line above, then click the email link below, paste in to the subject line, leave a short message, press send, well done)
to the Noel’s HQ production team at
"noelshq@sky.com"
PLEASE ALL DO THIS AND HELP JOE OUT
MANY THANKS GUYS & GALS
If the UK had its own Mount Rushmore commemorating "Wealdon District Council" it Would Look Like This
Thanx to my nephew Mike in Chicago, "They would never get away with this in Chicago or anywhere in the US, they wouldnt even try to"
Also Their Full Contact Information Sheet for All the Above
.xls old format Excel 1997 - 2003 or .xlsx new format Excel 2004 to Date
This is Public Domain Information so, Dont Worry.
Strange Though JIM VD BOS and Barby Dashwood - Hall, their Details must have been removed as the Shit Hit the Fan.
They Obviously Noticed "Incoming Flak"..........
Sorry Joe........................................
I would have taken up the Gauntlet earlier but have been so busy that I have not read a newspaper for months and have barely watched the "big black box" better late than never.......Thanx again to Rod (Terry) Spinks, Ex RM Rtd for bringing this Fiasco to my notice.......Mac (FOXnWOLF)
The Story so Far........................................
Devastated': Marine Joe Townsend with his grandfather David Carter
After losing both legs to an anti-tank mine while serving in Afghanistan, 20-year-old Joe Townsend was trying his best to rebuild his life.
And after 20 operations in hospital, the Royal Marine’s grandfather gave him the best possible incentive to get better.
David Carter decided to build a modest bungalow on land near the home he shares with his wife Lynda, 60, to help Joe become more independent. It seemed the perfect solution.
But the council disagreed. Joe’s bungalow would be ‘intrusive’, planners said. And anyway, his case was not exceptional enough for them to waive strict laws and allow the bungalow to be built.
They narrowly ruled against the plans, even though there had been no objections – and despite a direct appeal from Joe, who was desperate to live near his family, in Pevensey, East Sussex.
Their decision devastated the wheelchair-bound veteran. It means he must stay in a rehabilitation centre instead.
‘I said I had been a local lad all my life and always wanted to live round my granddad’s,’ he said.
‘His idea of building me a place in his paddock was a massive incentive for me to crack on, get better and get my independence back. The rejection was a kick in the teeth.’
Mr Townsend was 19 when his legs were amputated after he stepped on an anti-tank mine buried on his patrol’s route in Helmand in February.
He has had many operations, with more surgery due next month, and has received round-the-clock care at Headley Court Armed Forces rehabilitation centre, in Surrey.
Rejected: Mr Carter stands by the plot of land where he wanted to build the bungalow
Most people had seemed happy to help him get on with his life. The plans for his bungalow, which would have had a treatment room, a bedroom for a carer and an en- suite bathroom, were drawn up for free by an architect who wanted to thank Joe for his sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Mr Carter, 72, said his neighbours had supported the scheme. Critics condemned the council for not doing the same. Tory MP Patrick Mercer, a former soldier, said: ‘Marine Townsend has paid an extraordinary price for his service to this country. I believe he is an extraordinary case and should be viewed as such.’
The Royal British Legion said: ‘This man’s injuries were incurred defending this country abroad.
‘I hope this council will reconsider what their decision means, not only to this individual but symbolically to all our Armed Forces.’
Councillor Niki Oakes, who considered the application and by coincidence is also a double amputee, had called on the committee to help Joe.
‘I said “Damn the rules!” There has to be a way to get round them sometimes in a case like this,’ she said.
But Wealden District Council stood firm: ‘The proposed dwelling by reason of its siting and detailed design would appear as an intrusive development within this semi-rural area. The circumstances in this case are not considered sufficient to warrant an exception to the usual restraint policies.’
ORIGINAL RANT/EMAIL FROM FOXnWOLF
29th January 2009 @ 17:10hrs original email - rant sent by FOXnWOLF, see below;
The plight/story of Joe Townsend is at the bottom of this page
Attorney General: The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC
Madam,can you please assist Joe Townsend in this matter?
Patrick Mercer
I have just received an email concerning Marine Joe Townsend.
At first I thought you must be kidding..........................................
Could you kindly update me with the current situation concerning his plight.
I recently took up the gauntlet for Marine Keir Hardie which came to a positive outcome, see the link below;
http://www.foxnwolf.com/keirhardie.html
(the page in placed on http://www.foxnwolf.com)
Can you possibly assist in this case at all? I am also a retired Royal Marine........................
Wealden Council
This is an absolute shambles, typical of today's attitude. Had he been found in the back of a truck hollering the magic words "asylum" heaven and earth would be moved to accommodate him for fear of the politically correct regime and of course lets not forget human rights.
I must apologise for my "rant" but I just find this situation ridiculous. In fact beyond belief................... Just like the Keir Hardie Fiasco
Barry
Please get hold of the guys at Once a Marine Always a Marine
Let them know what's going on.
Rod
Can you get me through the Royal Marines Association Joe Townsend home address and contact numbers including his email address?
Chief Executive Officer (RMA)
Charlie Hobson
Urgently need your assistance and updates on this one
Keir Hardie
OK Keir, lets see if you can help here concerning the newspapers and tv stations that showed your plight.
I do hope someone can see sense and help Joe Townsend
Yours sincerely.......Peter McCracken (RM Rtd)
EMAIL REPLIES/CALENDAR OF EVENTS
28th January (Thanks "DWG")
https://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?p=444843&posted=1#post444843
28th January "Nigel Waterstone
NIGEL WATERSON MP
EASTBOURNE
SHADOW PENSIONS MINISTER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR OLDER PEOPLE
MP SLAMS DECISION ON JOE.
Local MP Nigel Waterson has criticised the decision of Wealden planners to reject an application from local hero Joe Townsend to have a specially-adapted bungalow.
Nigel commented on the decision: This is the same mindset as those who tried to stop Douglas Bader flying his Spitfire in the Battle of Britain! Joe is a true local hero who has borne his terrible injuries with courage and fortitude.
I spoke with Joe recently. He is taking an amazingly positive view of his life; he is now driving himself and wants to stay in the Royal Marines. All he wants is to be able to live independently and not be a burden on others.
Planning rules or no planning rules, I would have thought the planners could have gone out of their way to help Joe. He really does not need this sort of setback when he is so determined to have as normal a life as possible. I hope that Wealden will re-consider.
watersonn@parliament.uk
28th January
Joe Townsend Planning Application Statement
There has been widespread media interest in the decision by Wealden's Development Control South planning subcommittee regarding an application for a bungalow for Royal Marine Joe Townsend, who was injured in Afghanistan. Wealden District Council's Head of Planning and Building Control, Kelvin Williams, has made the following statement:
The Council seeks to support families who need to provide extended care facilities but the erection of a new bungalow out side of the development boundary would be intrusive and be in direct conflict with existing policies to restrain building in rural areas.
We have suggested an alternative which would involve building an annexe on to the existing dwelling belonging to a family member. Alternatively there is the possibility to convert an existing storage building at the rear of the existing dwelling to provide the required independent accommodation. The council has already indicated to the agent and family members we are happy to discuss such a revised proposal."
Please direct any comments to: PR@wealden.gov.uk
Direct comments, the more the merrier to the email address above;...........................FOXnWOLF
28th January (Newstin)
http://www.newstin.co.uk/rel/uk/en-010-010132537
28th January (BBC News)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7855677.stm
28th January (Daily Express)
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/82239/Council-bans-new-home-for-disabled-hero
28th January (Facebook)
http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58643645907
28th January (Heritage Scotsman)
28th January (Tax Payers Alliance)
http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/campaign/2009/01/wealden-council-snubs-wounded-solider.html
29th January (This is Devon)
29th January 2009 @ 20:07hrs
Web page link sent to the Evening Star and Others by Rod Spinks
January 30th (LBC with Nick Ferrari & Ross Kemp)
http://www.lbc.co.uk/nick-ferraris-blog-3480/entry/77/2055
30th January @ 08:15hrs
I found UK Parliament contact list, see below; (have also placed above in email list)
Alphabetical List of Members of Parliament including email addresses (use this list as well as the others detailed above)
http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm
30th January @ 09:30
Email sent to Gordon Brown & David Camerons office using the Parliament link above by FOXnWOLF
09:34 David Camerons office notified me that mail received, at least they got the message................................
Still waiting for confirmation from Gordon Browns office
Now 18:47 and still no reply from Gordon Browns office. Not even an auto-reply, nothing at all.....................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
30th January
Article in "The Sun"
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/article2189196.ece
30th January
Article in "Mail Online"
30th January
Original Reply Re; MP Nigel Waterson to Alan Nicholson, Former Royal Marine - RM15537
Dear Stephanie Gilbert,
Many thanks for the press release from Nigel Waterson on the Joe Townsend case.
I am most pleased that we are in agreement on this shocking situation and happy that Nigel Waterson took a stand.
I have passed on the release to my own network. Former Royal Marines around the world are shocked and will not lightly accept this abhorent treatment to one who gave his future for the safety of others without negotiating any agreement in advance.
My generation were undermedalled, those who were wounded were hidden away as bad advertising, receiving a shameful "pension" and those who died abroad were buried in the land where they fell, usually without the opportunity for families to even visit their graves. We served wherever there was need. When we came home we came as individuals - our Commando units stayed where they were, we were posted to and from the Commando. No parades were held and none expected, no flags for us.
We, their comrades, will not accept similar treatment for the serving men and women of today who serve without question or requests for guarantees.
We are very aware of the situation surrounding our maimed and wounded and will continue to raise funds and hold events to make sure that others are aware - no-one will be allowed to forget. Not this time.....
Thank you for forwarding the information.
yours 'aye,
Alan Nicholson, Former Royal Marine - RM15537, March 1956 to December 29 1965 - joined at seventeen - and Yes - I'm over seventy. Still a member of the Royal Marines Association, Truro - nearest Norway !
Copy of email sent by ex RM Keir Hardie to Mr Kelvin Williams, head of planning & building control at Wealdon District Council
Dear Mr Kevin Williams,
It is our intention to come to your offices for the purpose of conducting a legal, peaceful and, specifically, positive demonstration. This will be to show the vast, unyielding disagreement with the Wealdon Planning Committee`s ridiculous refusal to grant, in respect of Royal Marine Joe Townsend, the bungalow application. In order that our protest website, press releases, blogs and placards are honest and accurate (and, to be fair to your good self) can you please, as per the Freedom of Information act, tell me -
A. The grounds for the refusal (Given that there were no objections) and
B. An indication as to the qualifications of the people who make up the planning committee and their length of service upon that committee. What the committee did was unfair, illogical, counter-productive and, sadly, very un-British. I look forward to your reply.
We are currently assembling our legal team, protest tour of duty rotas, administration co-ordinators, and supply logistics. The Police will be informed of our protest tactics and we will, of course, comply with their instructions to the letter of the law. We are right minded law abiding people. This protest will comprise of ex military personnel and civilians from all ages and all walks of life (and all points of the political spectrum). Feel free to visit the initialisation site "FOXnWOLF"...or "Once a Marine Always a Marine"..The specific protest website details will be forwarded to you ASAP.
We aim to protest peacefully, correctly and relentlessly. I urge you to reconsider your refusal of the bungalow application. I ask you to liaise with the Social Care Officers in your area in order that you and the committee can better understand the real implications of your decision. I also ask you, as a man, to consider the fear and pain that this man endured for you and I, our families and our country
Yours Keir Hardie (ex Royal Marine).
Reply from "Jim.VandenBos@wealden.gov.uk" at Wealdon Council @ 16:52hrs re email I sent yesterday the 29th @ 17:10hrs
There has been widespread public interest in the decision by Wealden's Development Control South planning subcommittee regarding an application for a bungalow for Royal Marine Joe Townsend, who was injured in Afghanistan. We would like to clarify the Council's position.
As a council we seek to support families who need to provide extended care facilities but the erection of a new bungalow out side of the development boundary would be intrusive and be in direct conflict with existing policies to restrain building in rural areas.
We have suggested an alternative which would involve building an annexe on to the existing dwelling belonging to a family member. Alternatively there is the possibility to convert an existing storage building at the rear of the existing dwelling to provide the required independent accommodation. The council has already indicated to the agent and family members that we are happy to discuss such a revised proposal.
Wealden District Council
>>> Peter McCracken <peter@foxnwolf.com> 29/01/2009 17:10>>>
Sounds like;
So "Thanks for your sacrifice. We may consider letting you live in an old storage shed at the back of a house" Who are these numpties?. They use their commonsense less than Anne Frank used her bloody drum kit.....(quote from Keir re above council reply)
Oh well, we can all go home now and have a cup of tea.......I dont think so. Keep the pressure up, on and over the hill. This should never have happened in the first place and must never happen again, we all have to make sure of that.......More Media is required over the weekend and beyond many thanks to everyone.......Mac (FOXnWOLF)
31st January
Gordon Brown Offcie; still no reply auto or otherwise.......................zzzzzzzzzzzz (head in the sand)???????
31st January "Mail Online by Vanessa Allen"
2nd February
Gordon Brown Office; still no reply auto or otherwise......................."Disgraceful"
3rd February
No further updates as of yet
4th February
No Help for Hero "MOD Oracle"
http://www.modoracle.com/news/No-Help-For-Hero_17334.html?category=all
4th February
Have given up on Gordon Browns Office...............totally deplorable, another item to remember when Election time comes around.......
4th February (The Argus)
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4085606.Marine_s_sense_of_fun_still_intact/
4th February
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2184476.ece (This is the woman who "stuck the in" for Joe Townsend)
4th February (Worthing Herald)
http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/eastbourne-news/Wealden-turns-down-injured-Marine39s.4882201.jp
4th February (Mail Online) PETER HITCHENS: We show tolerance to 'gays' and get tyranny in return
4th February (Thanks Gareth & Dean on Facebook)
http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58643645907
4th February (The BNP, Salford)
http://bnpsalford.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/ (half way down page)
4th February (Article in The Sun) Leon Davenport, Inkersall, Derbyshire (well said Leon.......foxnwolf)
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/letters/article2205688.ece (5 paragraphs down)
MAIMED Marine Joe Townsend should adopt a different approach in dealing with the council that won’t let him build a bungalow on his grandfather’s land.
He should drive a Transit van in there, declare himself a “traveller,” dig footings for the dwelling and only then apply for planning permission.
Councillors will then build it for him themselves, and supply him with advisors, coordinators and outreach workers to help him sue them for discrimination.
4th February (reply received from Jim van De Boss @ 16:34)
This Council has received an unprecedented number of enquiries regarding the planning application for Royal Marine Joe Townsend. We appreciate their concerns in what is a highly emotive issue and we are doing our best to reply to everyone.We think it is important that everyone who knows about Joe's case fully understands both the reason for this Council's decision on January 8 and the current situation.
Whilst this Council is fully committed to providing help and assistance to representatives of all our armed forces who have been injured in the service of this Country, we also have a duty to balance any proposals for new development with the strongly held wishes of the community in Wealden to protect our rural environment.
The Council has made it clear throughout that they are prepared to negotiate with Joe and his family to secure independent local accommodation for Joe. We have suggested a number of alternative proposals which we are discussing with the planning agent and family representatives.
All staff and councillors fully support the need to find a solution to Joe's housing needs. We remain committed to working with the family to help find a satisfactory outcome.
Wealden District Council
My reply @ 18:50
Jim Van den Bos
Thanks for your reply, even though it is a "bog standard" reply which is no doubt winging its way to everyone in the hope it will "clear your inbox".
I have highlighted in Red (above) the paragraph which is part of your original email reply. As far as I am aware, no one objected when the "planning notice" was issued to neighbouring properties etc.
Even if there were, surely allowances can be made in circumstances such as this?
Who on earth is going to object/appeal or anything else concerning an application like Joes. And "Secure, independent, local accommodation for Joe" is not even an option to consider.
Do you really consider the above when the most important thing for Joe his future and his recuperation is being with family and those who love him and having his independence.
Why is it that Normal minded and Considerate people can see past the rules and regulations and accept a proposal such as this. But, the Polit` Bureau are totally unable. Each case on its merit, life is never a straight line................
Please reconsider the application in its original format.
Sincerely.......Peter McCracken (foxnwolf.com)
5th February @ 09:12
From; DOUGLASI@parliament.uk
To; peter@foxnwolf.com
5th February (Reply from David Camerons Office @ 18:50)
Dear Peter,
I am writing on behalf of David Cameron to thank you for your recent email. We are grateful to you for taking the time to get in touch and for bringing this case to our attention. Our Defence team and the local MP are aware of this case.
Regards, Anna Biles
Correspondence Secretary
David Cameron's Office
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
5th February
Still no reply, not a hoot, holler or whistle.............................from Gordon Browns Orrifice.......................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
URGENT UPDATE(2)
5th February @ 17:06
The Facebook group supporting Joe now has nearly 110,000 members http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58643645907&ref=ts#
A petition has now been set up to support Joe, this now has over 3,000 signatures. Unfortunately members of Facebook groups often tend to join a group then never look again so may be unaware of the petition. Any group with over 5,000 members can not email members en masse so it is difficult to get info to them. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Mne-Townsend/
Sky1 were at Joe's grandparents home yesterday filming an article to support Joe for Noel's HQ which will be shown on Sat Feb 7th on Sky1 - one third of emails received by them have been concerning Joe and his bungalow.
5th February @ 20:25
The admin of the Facebook group has just posted this message on the discussion forum
"Just had an e-mail"
Joe’s case has been filmed for the programme “Noel’s HQ” and will be broadcast on Sky One at 19:30 on February 7th.
Sky are keen to gauge the amount of support Joe has for his case. If you support Joe, please send an email with the title
“I support Joe Townsend’s request to build a bungalow”
(copy the text from the line above, then click the email link below, paste in to the "subject line", leave a short message, press send, well done)
to the Noel’s HQ production team at
"noelshq@sky.com"
PLEASE ALL DO THIS AND HELP JOE OUT
MANY THANKS GUYS"
5th February (Bexhill Observer)
http://www.bexhillobserver.net/eastbourne-news/Huge-support-for-injured-Marine.4953296.jp
6th February (The Sun) "106,000 Protestors backing home for hero Joe"
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2210756.ece
6th February @ 09:07 (WO, RM, Rtd)
I wish to register my Disgust at the treatment of young Royal Marine Townsend and his family at the hands of your Council........
The Officers and Councillors should hang there heads in shame at the disgraceful way you have treated this Brave , young Royal Marine , you have your Freedom due to this courageous mans actions ; not one of you is worthy of a place in Britain's History...........
You people sit in your centrally heated Offices while brave men and women risk life and limb ! This planning application should be passed given the special circumstances and an Apology given to this special young man.
Shame on all of you , none of you are worthy of the " Queens Shilling ".
David John Lawton
Warrant Officer Royal Marines (Rtd)
Many thanks David.........................FOXnWOLF
6th February (Ron ex Mne)
Believe me gentlemen. I have really spread the word to WEALDON COUNCIL. They sure as hell won't find it printable. Give me the old days, we would get a squad down there and really turn the b******s over. Oops, am I allowed to say that these stupid days.
Good for you Royals.
Aye, Ron
6th February @ 18:18 (Facebook Admin)
The Facebook group now stands at over 123,000, the petition at 4,312 - the admin of the group are having difficulty contacting all the members with the info a petition has been set up as there is no facility within Facebook enabling them to mass email such a large number of members
The Admin has posted the following message from Gregory Barker MP
"I'm going to work closely with the family. I'm talking to Joe's grandparents and I will be an advocate and a champion for Joe to get him the home that he deserves, alongside his grandparents house and fitted in a way that is suitable for his needs."
I'm not sure exactly what Gregory Barker means by "alongside his grandparents house", maybe it is the cynic in me, but I hope he is not advocating an extension to the main house.
Also an e-mail from Noel's HQ saying that Noel and the team are backing this campaign 100% and will keep fighting until the council come to their senses.
6th February @ 19:52 9 (Reply to Rod from Noels HQ)
----- Original Message ----- From: "Noel's HQ" <noelshq@googlemail.com>
To: <rodney.spinks1@ntlworld.com>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 7:43 PM
Subject: Thank You For Emailing Noel's HQ Re: Disgusted former Marine
Thank you for emailing Noel's HQ on Sky1.
We appreciate you taking the time to email the show.
Unfortunately due to the high volume of responses it will not be
possible to reply to every email we receive.
Thanks for your contribution.
The Noel's HQ Team
Well done Rod, still waiting for mine. As they say, they are busy and maybe not able to answer all submissions (good news)
6th February (David Hughes ex RM, his replies from "J VD Bos" and "Barby" who never does, at the WDC)
David Hughes, Emails and Replies
6th February (Application "Minutes")
Do you see the bit on the minutes dated 23/12/08, page 3, Consideration -para 2 - "would remain after the period the initial care was required"
What planet are these people on? Do they think he is going to miraculously get up one day and be able to walk?
I looked at the planning strategy and it appears that affordable housing, forestry/agriculture workers, TRAVELLERS!! get special treatment. Did I send you these posts from villagers before - sorry if I'm now repeating myself:
"At the other end of the village (Westham) a family of travellers bought a pleasant bungalow with land . They proceeded to chop all the trees down and installed up to 15 caravans/portacabins/ street lighting /portaloos in the garden . On complaining to Wealden planning i was told they could do so as there was an habitable fixed structure on site . In October the bungalow burnt down . I rang planning who told me that as there was no habitable structure the rules had changed. I rang the council last week as there was still a mess on the site to be told there was a problem with their insurance claim so the had been rehoused in Hailsham . There are illegal caravans / portacabins still there but I was told by Wealden Planning that I should show some compasion to the people . If only they had showed the same compassion to Joe .
All of the neighbours are afraid to go to the papers about this issue "and" the council have said no to joes bungalow which is hidden behind trees and a barn but yes to 14 houses in an open field literally across the road they should feel disgusted"
Also post about Dr Ian Haffenden (Deputy Chairman planning committee)
"Dear Sandy,The facts as have been presented in the news are mis-leading. Moreover, planning policy relates to the land not individuals.Regards Cllr. Dr. Haffenden
I've replied saying thats bull and i'd like to know what the real reasons are then....and that as the residents dont have a problem there is no reason for them to have. Okay folks, with this attitude, they are up for a fight, now I'm really disgusted, this is absolutely outrageous!!
He replied...
The MOD should be responsible for his needs "I.H." always good to have yourself a sympathetic doctor ey?
6th February @19:54 (RM, Rtd)
Noel, as a former RM Commando I am disgusted about how Wealdon District Council has and are treating a local lad Joe Townsend also his Grandfather about not being able to build a purpose built bungalow for Joe, who as you know lost BOTH leg's whilst serving in Afganistan,What more has he got to lose before these council loonies help him?
If an Afgan who is found over here illegally and said ASYLUM he would be better looked after than this brave young Englishman it's time we looked after our OWN.
This story has upset thousands of former serving Royal Marines and US Marines throughout the world as well as Regular Service Men we are and always will be Brothers until we "cross the bar" and will not give up the fight until justice is done, the USA looks after their wounded and veterans and its time for our Goverment to do the same.
Common sense is wanted by those councillors and they that voted against Joe and his family ought to be throughly ashamed and disgusted with themselves!!
PLEASE HELP THIS BRAVE YOUNG ROYAL MARINE !!
A very angry former "Bootneck", Regards aye, Rod Spinks
Many thanks Rod.........................FOXnWOLF
6th February @ 16:51 (Officer Royal Netherlands Military Police)
Dear Sirs,
I wish to register my Disgust at the treatment of young Royal Marine Townsend and his family at the hands of your Council........
Having my youngest stepson save after ending his army tour in Afghanistan and my oldest, a Royal Marine as well, about to do his tour there , it makes me realy sick if this is what awaits him at home, if he would become seriously wounded!
The Officers and Councillors should hang there heads in shame at the disgraceful way you have treated this Brave , young Royal Marine , you have your Freedom due to this courageous mans actions ; not one of you is worthy of a place in Britain's History...........
You people sit in your centrally heated Offices while brave men and women risk life and limb ! This planning application should be passed given the special circumstances and an Apology given to this special young man.
Shame on all of you , none of you are worthy of the " Queens Shilling ".
Hendrik Luitjen Scholte
Officer Royal Netherlands Military Police, 104 Paracommando Regiment Recon and Royal Netherlands Airforce ( Rtd)
Many Thanks Hendrik.........................FOXnWOLF
7th February @ 15:12 (Major, RM, Rtd)
I concur absolutely with David Lawton's message. (posted above on 6th February) Are you really seriously considering the real issues and opinions on this individual matter? If we were able to take a poll my guess is that at least 99% of the population would disagree with your decision. Surely as a corporate elected and representative body you must understand that there are VERY SPECIAL circumstances involved in this instance. There are, quite rightly, some very resentful and hostile emotions connected to your uncompassionate decision.
Marine Townsend has made very close to the ultimate sacrifice - he now has no choice but to live with the sacrifice he has made for the rest of his life. Your officers and councillors have it within your gift to make the rest of his life as comfortable as possible. In the circumstances there can be no claims of "setting a precedence" and as I understand it the people living within your area are fully in support of Marine Townsend's case.
I urge you to reconsider your decision and to display a degree, at least, of morality, compassion, loyalty, respect and common sense. These attributes we should expect to associate with an elected democratic body such as yours.
I appreciate that you will be receiving a good deal of correspondence related to this issue but I would appreciate it if you could find the time to respond to this mail. Perhaps in your local newspaper?
Yours Faithfully
Peter Collins, Major Royal Marines (Rtd)
Many thanks Peter.........................FOXnWOLF
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
7th February (Noels HQ)
Noel's HQ: Get Hero Joe his Bungalow!
Joe made a huge sacrifice fighting for his country. He’s not looking for handouts or sympathy, he’s just after the right to build a home and safeguard his future on a little bit of the country he fought for.
After losing both legs to an anti-tank mine while serving in Afghanistan, 20-year-old Joe Townsend was trying his best to rebuild his life.
And after 20 operations in hospital, the Royal Marine's grandfather gave him the best possible incentive to get better.
David Carter decided to build a modest bungalow on land near the home he shares with his wife Lynda, 60, to help Joe become more independent. It seemed the perfect solution.
But the council disagreed. Joe's bungalow would be 'intrusive', planners said. And anyway, his case was not exceptional enough for them to waive strict laws and allow the bungalow to be built.
The official petition can be found HERE. There are currently over 4,000 signatures on here. But we need YOU to let your voice be heard. Get hero Joe his bungalow - sign today.
(And if you're on Facebook, join the 12,000 other people who have joined the group 'Support For Joe To Get His Bungalow'. Check it out HERE!)
Tell us what YOU think at noelshq@sky.com !!
Noels HQ 1st Video
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
7th February @ 18:46 (Chris Downing)
Sir/Madam
I am writing this e-mail to add my concern to those who feel you have badly let down one of our fine, brave young servicemen.
I refer of course, to your decision to refuse planning permission for a bungalow to be built for Marine Townsend. You may already be aware that there are a huge number of people in the County, and nationwide, who feel your actions inconsiderate, cowardly and loathsome.
As a former Royal Marine myself, obviously I feel acutely for the dishonourable way in which you have treated his case and him personally. The fact that you live a lifestyle such as you do, is in great measure due to the efforts of young men and women such as Mr. Townsend. If it were not for him, you would not be living in what he and his comrades in arms, would consider "Paradise". His additional burden of having suffered acute physical and probably mental injury to enable you to make disgusting decisions such as you have made, should make you all feel worthless in comparison.
I served in Sussex Police for more than 23 years, patrolling the very streets where you now live, and when I think that I was serving people with such a lack of moral fibre who were in a position to effect such decisions, it leaves me with nothing but contempt.
You should not underestimate the depth of feeling your callous decision has triggered, and I hope that in very quick time you will be able to search your cold and cowardly hearts to redress a great injustice, and make a humane decision by reversing this refusal, which, if it will not give you a sense of pride, at least enable you to sleep at nights.
Chris Downing (Former Royal Marine and Sussex Police Officer).
7th February @ 18:58 (FaceBook)
Facebook group Admin just posted this message
Just had an e-mail from a person who works on Noel's HQ, said that we have now got Gordon Brown on board which is great news.
He said:
The whole country owes Joe huge gratitude for the sacrifice he's made for our country. It is unacceptable that he is being stopped from having the home of his choice. Welden district council must do the right thing immediately and reconsider this case."
7th February @ 19:14 (WO, RM Rtd)
Dear Councillor
As you sit at home complaining that your house is drafty and its very cold outside , spare a thought for the Royal Marines on patrol in Afghanistan wondering if they will ever see their loved ones ever again ? A booby trap here a tank mine there , an IED ( Improvised explosive device ) strewn in the road........
Please dont spill your Coffee , but make sure you watch Noel Edmunds on Sky 1 !! We probably could arange a visit to Helmand province for you and show you the results of these terrible weapons ! But then again the warmth of the Council Chamber beckons ?
I hope you enjoy your weekend of peace courtesy of the British Military and hope that the snow is soon swept from the roads by your workers...
Think about Joe Townsend stepping on that mine and think..............how shall we help him..( I wonder )
REMEMBER........IT IS THE SOLDIER NOT THE POLITICIAN WHO GAVE US THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
Kind Regards
David John Lawton
Warrant Officer Royal Marines (Rtd)
Many thanks David.........................FOXnWOLF
7th February (Gordon Brown - Press Association)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iP5YgEb6X-JIcElSSkK8xlkekA-A
7th February (Gordon Brown - BBC)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7877777.stm
7th February @ 20:05 (Facebook)
IMPORTANT - WHAT CAN ALL FACEBOOKERS DO?
Incidentally when the democratic process of local government is being abused by its officers, it is sometimes most effective to use that same process to undo their misdeeds
It is a very simple and very very effective right for everyone on this site to make the following simple email request to the council - cut and paste the text and stick it in an email to planning@wealden.gov.uk
They have a definite responsibility to respond individually to the requests I mention, and NOT send a global email response
Even 100 such requests will tie them up in their own bureaucratic knots...
This is a very real and severe administrative presssure on top of the catastrophic pressure your efforts and the Noel HQ wil bring Monday morning.
7th February @ 17:45 (The Argus, Paralysed Pevensey war hero to get home)
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4110635.Paralysed_war_hero_to_get_home/
8th February
Do you think Barby may now come out from behind the settee ?
8th February (Jim Van Den Bos, Emaill is off/cancelled. Maybe like Barby he is hiding behind the Sofa or under the Stairs)
From: postmaster@mail.hotmail.com
To: address removed on request for privacy
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 11:26:26 -0800
Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.
Delivery to the following recipients failed.
jim.vandenbos@wealden.go.uk
9th February (Gordon Brown, Mail Online)
9th February (Gordon Brown, The Sun)
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/article2218455.ece
9th February (The Telegraph)
The Prime Minister intervened after the case of 20-year-old Royal Marine Joe Townsend was taken up by a television show following criticism of the planning decision by Wealden District Council in East Sussex.
"The whole country owes Joe huge gratitude for the sacrifice he's made for our country. It's unacceptable that he is being stopped from having the home of his choice," Mr Brown said in a statement issued to the Noel's HQ programme on Sky1, hosted by Noel Edmonds. "Wealden District Council must do the right thing immediately and reconsider this case." Councillors last month voted by a slim majority to reject the plans incorporating a bathroom and carers room, deeming them "intrusive", despite listening to Mr Townsend's own arguments first hand.
His grandfather David Carter, 72, submitted the application to finance and build the bungalow in paddock land at his home in Hankham Hall Road, Pevensey, East Sussex. Mr Townsend, who lost both his legs, one completely and one to the knee after stepping on a landmine in February last year, was said to have been "devastated" by the decision. He has undergone a succession of operations, with another planned next month, plus rehabilitation at Headley Court in Surrey, but away from his family.
Tory leader David Cameron also sent a message of support to the show.
"We owe soldiers like Joe a huge debt of gratitude. The military covenant should always be taken into account particularly when dealing with injured soldiers and their families," he said."I really hope that Wealden Council will rethink their decision."
Mr Townsend's mother Deborah Hawkins told the show, which will be broadcast on Saturday: "When his Granddad mentioned the bungalow, that was what really kept Joe going when he was at a really low ebb.
"I was absolutely devastated; it's your worst nightmare. I just don't think the council understand what Joe needs."
More than 8,000 people have signed a petition on the 10 Downing Street website calling on the council to reverse its decision.
9th February (David Hughes RM Rtd reply from PR@wealden.gov.uk)
What a meaningless, mealy-mouthed response dated 9/2/09 - if you do not respond to the reasonable planning application whilst turning a blind eye to the illegal travellers' site, then you truly are beyond the comprehension of " normal" people - when, exactly, did P.C. become so perverted that it became non-P.C. ?
Angry of Tunbridge Wells
(really : David Hughes - damned angry of Yorkshire)
9th February (Jim Van Den Bos)
His email has been reactivated after being off and mail returned for two days, must have had his hand slapped. SO GO FOR IT.........
Jim Van den Bos <Jim.VandenBos@wealden.gov.uk>
9th February (Wealdon Council Statement)
http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Council/Media_Releases/2009/JoeTownsendPlanningStatement3.aspx
9th February (Facebook group members reply to Mr Jim Van Den Bos, after receiving a "Auto-Reply" from him)
This is the response to Mr Jim Vandenbos, from one of the Facebook group members after receiving the standard council response to his email
Dear Mr Van den Bos
1. It is with sincere regret, as a former central government civil servant involved with building construction and statutory matters, that I had to receive this quite obviously wordsmithed, mailmerged, double talking, self serving, PR babble in response to my letter. Not the specific response that it would be entirely reasonable to expect.
2. Which ever way you frame it, your council has already previously given planning permission for an agricultural building on this site and therefore in this small “heroes home” context, your argument for protecting the rural environment is proved to be specious and misleading.
3. Nowadays a lot of everyday people are thankfully too wise to this double talk. It’s so impersonal, formulaic, and politically correct that you can even find computer programmes that will compose it.
4. “Newspeak” was I believe how George Orwell described it. And let us be clear there is no place for this type of communication in such important democratically accountable local government matters. This is especially where there is communication regarding those council taxpayers whose own circumstances are obviously so vulnerable.
5. So, to the reality and an alternative form of political correctness. Why is your letter so unacceptable, that it should never have emanated from a local government department funded by the council tax payer? Lets look at some examples of what you appear to say, but then set it off against what you are actually saying, and then examine the facts:
a) “highly emotive issue”
i) Now why do I get the impression that this clearly patronizes people whom are not responding to their “emotion”, but actually responding to their basic, nurtured, logical beliefs based upon social upbringing, education and principle.
ii) This comment is stock, trite, dismissive, insulting to ones intelligence, and highly offensive.
iii) It is a comment often given at the beginning of a PR letter to provide a smokescreen to the fact that most people are in fact NOT acting emotively.
b) “this Council is fully committed to providing help and assistance”
i) Sounds great except this comment is flawed, deflecting and misleading.
ii) If you were “fully committed” you would have already exercised your discretion and compassion as you were well within your statutory powers to do so, where actually you patently did not.
iii) What is actually required is an explanation of why the council did not show that full commitment in this case, but why do you state that they did?
c) “strongly held wishes of the community in Wealden”
i) Sounds great except this comment is also flawed, deflecting and misleading.
ii) This is because these are nothing but well known general public views deliberately and misleadingly attributed to this specific case
iii) In fact, it is reported, that not a single member of the public objected to the scheme, and actually it appears blindingly obvious that the public community in Wealden and many of the UK public support the scheme.
iv) So what was the basis for you making this statement specific to this case in a press release in the first place ?.
d) “fully support the need to find a solution to Joe's housing needs”
i) Once again this sounds great except this comment is also flawed, deflecting and misleading as the comment para 5 b & c.
ii) If you did “fully support….” you would have already exercised your discretion and compassion as you were well within your statutory powers to do so, where actually you patently did not.
e) “committed to working with the family to help find a satisfactory outcome”
i) And again! Sounds great except this comment is also flawed, deflecting and misleading as the comment para 5 b, c & d.
ii) If you were “committed” you would have already exercised your discretion and compassion as you were well within your statutory powers to do so, where actually you patently did not.
6. With the clear issues raised by the above you therefore leave me with no option but to lodge a formal complaint against yourself acting for Wealden Council based upon
a) the content of this my letter and
b) details of the Wealden District Council complaint procedure which you will hopefully furnish me without delay.
7. Those same issues, and the serious questions they raise as to the competence and integrity of the council, must also lead me to formally request a full Freedom of Information provision as follows
a) All forms of paper and electronic records held by Wealden District Council regarding verbal and written communication by telephone, fax, email, notes, messages, minutes, file entries, letters, drawings, and photographs – as may be to and from :
i) all relevant individual officers of Wealden District Council,
ii) members of the public and third parties,
iii) other external agencies, firms, or individual representatives of the public and third parties,
iv) the applicant and his agents
b) The expected cost of providing a copy of all of the said information
If you have any queries regarding this request please do not hesitate to contact me. (I am really waiting for the Reply to this one)
9th February (Ipswich Evening Star, Cheers Rod)
10th February @ 04:42 (Dave Smith)
Although no lover of the present Socialist Governmemt ; typically Wealden Council shift the Buck to poor old Gordon , nothing has changed my view about those A.......s at Wealden.
10th February @ 06:43 (Dave Smith)
A thought just occurred to me ; Jim Van Den Bos must be of Dutch origin ! I was with the RNLMC for 2 years on exchange and have a good grasp of the language.
Van = From Den = The Bos = A wood or the woods ; thus "Jim from the woods".
He could be reminded that it was Detachment Of Royal Marines that landed on the pier at Scheveningen and rescued the Dutch Royal Family and took them into exile in Britain for the duration of WW2.
10th February (Facebook Member, who soke to Jim Van Den Bos)
I called Wealden council this morning on behalf of some serving friends here on the continent, I asked for the planning department and was passed to the Press Officer Mr Vandenbos, he is adament that Wealden took the right decision and said that they legally could not give permission in this case..... I asked if the final decision lay with the planning committee and he said yes but we would be breaking the law, he seemed unchangable in his attitude and seem to enjoy his own percieved high ground.
Has anybody actually done anything about this yet? At a higher level than Wealden Council?
It seems Mr Vandenbos, that you cannot see the wood for the trees.....
10th February (Joint statement from Mr David Carter &the WDC)
Joe Townsend Planning Application Statement
This joint statement is issued by Mr David Carter and Wealden District Council in relation to the planning application for a bungalow for Marine Joe Townsend.
A scheme has now been agreed in principle which planning officers consider is supportable.
Mr Carter who is Joe's grandfather will now submit a new application. Mr Carter said "We have had a fruitful discussion and I am optimistic that the scheme will meet Joe's needs and will receive a fair hearing. I am grateful to the Council for being open to a new approach".
Councillor Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council said "We have been anxious to resolve this difficult issue from the start and are glad that a solution has been identified. However, this case has raised a number of deep concerns over national policy and I shall be writing to the Prime Minister urging him to issue further Government guidance on the provision that local authorities make for servicemen and women disabled in the service of their country".
Comment from FOXnWOLF...............Cllr, Doodes, it was not National Policy that caused this it was Cllr, Barby Dashwood - Hall who threw the Vote and a few others who led it to that point. The WDC is passing the Buck and the Blame for their own incompetence, lack of commonsense and moral fibre. Which is typical of todays Bureaucrats.
Please direct any comments to: PR@wealden.gov.uk
10th February @ 15:13 (BBC)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7881581.stm
10th February @ 19:07 (Statement by Joes Family)
IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY JOE'S FAMILY AND THE COUNCIL THAT JOE WILL GET HIS BUNGALOW, A JOINT STATEMENT WAS RELEASED, SMALL CHANGES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BUT THE MAIN THING JOE GET'S HIS OWN BUNGALOW.
10th February (OLDANGLICO @ Leatherneck.com)
Happily this situation has now been resolved. A great deal of public pressure was brought to bear and the result was the council caved in. Permission has now been granted to build in his grandparents garden. A custom built home will now be achieved for this brave young man.
10th February (Joe’s local MP Nigel Waterson warmly welcomed the following statement from Wealden District Council today)
http://www.eastbourneconservatives.com/wp/?p=574
Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson has welcomed the agreement reached between Royal Marine Joe Townsend’s family and Wealden planners over his specially-adapted bungalow. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative Leader David Cameron had been drawn into the controversy.
Nigel commented: “As Joe’s constituency MP, I have been encouraging planners to rethink their decision to refuse the original planning application. I am delighted that common sense has now prevailed, and that an amended plan will go forward.”
“Joe has touched the heart of the nation. He is a young man with an incredibly positive attitude, despite the horrific nature of his injuries. We all owe it to Joe, and others like him, to do whatever we can to help him live as normal a life as possible.”
“But I agree with the concern of Wealden Council that planning rules conflict with the clear need to provide suitable accommodation for wounded servicemen and women. I hope ministers will now take this on board.”
14th February (Noels HQ)
Noel's HQ: Hero Joe Townsend Gets His Bungalow.......Plus.......!
Noels HQ 2nd Video
Vid & Voice slightly out of Sync (sorry about that, still viewable)
21st February
Thanx Rod
23rd February @ 16:01 (David Hughes to PR@wealden.gov.uk)
24th February @ 11:00 (PR Update from Wealdon County Council)
This Council has received an unprecedented number of enquiries regarding the planning application for Royal Marine Joe Townsend. We are doing our best to reply to everyone.
The original proposal for the erection of a new bungalow was out side of the development boundary and would have been intrusive and be in direct conflict with existing policies to restrain building in rural areas.
Whilst this Council is fully committed to providing help and assistance to representatives of all our armed forces who have been injured in the service of this Country, we also have a duty to balance any proposals for new development with the strongly held wishes of the community in Wealden to protect our rural environment.
Our elected councillors and officers have made it clear throughout that they were prepared to discuss options with the applicants to secure independent local accommodation for Joe. This fact has not always been widely reported. A meeting was arranged for 10 February.
After that meeting, a joint statement was issued by Mr David Carter, the applicant, and Wealden District Council in relation to the planning application for a bungalow for Marine Joe Townsend.
"A scheme has now been agreed in principle which planning officers consider is supportable.
Mr Carter, who is Joe's grandfather, will now submit a new application. Mr Carter said "We have had a fruitful discussion and I am optimistic that the scheme will meet Joe's needs and will receive a fair hearing. I am grateful to the Council for being open to a new approach".
Councillor Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council said "We have been anxious to resolve this difficult issue from the start and are glad that a solution has been identified."
This case has raised a number of deep concerns over national policy. The Leader of the Council has written to the Prime Minister urging him to issue further Government guidance on the provision that local authorities make for servicemen and women disabled in the service of their country.
We are expecting to receive the necessary application as soon as it has been prepared by Mr Carter's agent, and we will be doing everything we can to give full consideration to the proposals as early as possible.
Thank-you for your interest, and I hope this email covers the points you raised.
24th February @ 13:45 (foxnwolf Reply)
PR @ Wealdon
Many thanks for the update;
I do feel in your reply that the burden of your councils decision is being placed upon the Prime Minister.
This is I believe inappropriate, new guidelines are not required wholesale, purely common sense is required. I agree that should an application be wholeheartedly inappropriate then of course further avenues must be explored and discussed.
But, as in this particular case what upset the majority of the british public at large was the decision in the end albeit such a small majority (who shall remain nameless as we all know who) that current Planning Laws and Regulations did not necessarily affect the outcome of this case.
No one has yet "bitten the bullet" and commented on this.
I have received this morning countless copies of this email (a fixed statement of the current situation by the council) and the waters are starting to bubble, once again..........................
The person who should be replying and showing reason why the application was vetoed has not responded whatsoever. Had a response or reason been made available even though it may not have appeased the general public at large it may have cooled the initial outcome somewhat and made reassessing the situation a little more professional.
25th February @ 12:13 (foxnwolf comment)
Even though Joes problem is being "sorted", Wealdon District Council (Planning Deparment) is totally ignoring the underlying issue of why it all kicked off in the first place and throwing it like a Hot Tamali in to someone elses lap namely "Gordon Brown". When it was their (one individual) that decided in her own right to put the "Knife" in............................................
27th February @ 12:37 (reply from Jim van den Bos)
This "comment" beggars belief....................................."Hello, Earth Calling Mars"
5 March 2009 (Statement from Wealden District Council)
The Council's Development Control sub-committee sat on Thursday 5 March to consider a revised application. The sub-committee unanimously approved a new application for a smaller, single storey bungalow, subject to the completion of the consultation period on 13 March.
Afterwards, Councillor Roy Galley, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Housing Delivery, made the following statement:
We are glad that we have been able to work with the applicant, Mr David Carter, to achieve a suitable scheme which meets Royal Marine Joe Townsend's accommodation needs and can be supported by our planning policies.
The new application makes significant amendments to both the location and design of the bungalow compared to the initial application, including placing it as part of the complex of existing outbuildings. The new building will be disabled compliant and Mr Carter has agreed to enter into a legal agreement linking it to the main dwelling.
Since the initial application was refused on 8 January, Wealden District Council has sought to hold discussions with the family about the various options which could be suitable for Joe's needs. Throughout this process we have sought to deal with Joe's case with integrity, compassion and speed.
Due to the personal circumstances of the family, their planning agent was not able to arrange a meeting until 10 February to discuss a new application. During this period there was an unprecedented amount of public interest in the case which raised questions about how we can best care for injured service personal within the existing legislative framework. It also saw national politicians and media making demands of the Council which, under existing planning law, were impossible to meet.
In light of the level of interest in the case and the issues raised, the Leader of Wealden District Council, Cllr Pam Doodes wrote to the Prime Minister asking for clarification from the Government as to how local planning authorities should support the needs of injured service personnel in the future. We would not like to see any other local planning authority being caught between the heart-rending pressure created by a badly injured serviceman or woman needing special accommodation and planning policy which directs it as being inappropriate.
As a result of this correspondence the Secretary of State for Defence has asked to meet Cllr Doodes next month to discuss the issues further. In the meantime we will seek the views of other councils, local Members of Parliament and local veterans organisations about how future planning policy should take account of such situations.
At present the Military Concordat deals with the relationship between the Government, the NHS and the Armed Services, but does not translate easily into the range of services provided by local government - such as planning.
All Members and staff of Wealden District Council wish Joe Townsend the very best in his new home when it is completed.
Please direct any comments to: PR@wealden.gov.uk
Please make your comments known the council still has the "Sloping Shoulder" attitude. We all know that in some circumstances regulation and rules have to be adjusted in certain cases. But this particular case was a tied vote with Councillor Barby Dashwood - Hall having the casting vote. This had nothing to do with current rules or regulations, and until the WDC realise this there is no hope for future applications, anywhere.
They are asking for a response to "assist them in the future" well, I hope you let them know directly what you think.......
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9th March @ 18:44 (To WDC)
12th March (A Proposal for injured soldier Joe Townsend to be given the Freedom of the Borough has been made)
In the wake of overwhelming public support for an adapted bungalow for Joe, independent county council candidate David Tomlinson said it seemed
Eastbourne people wanted to see his sacrifice and bravery rewarded. He is calling for Eastbourne Borough Council to make Joe an honorary freeman and to hold a march through the town and mayor's reception for him.
Joe, 20, who lives in Pevensey, lost one leg completely and one below
the knee when he stepped on a landmine while serving in Afghanistan.
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award a local authority can
bestow and has previously been given to DGH maternity services
campaigner Liz Walke and tennis star Martina Navratilova.
A borough council spokesman said a motion for Joe to be given the honour would have to be proposed by a councillor before the process to consider his nomination could begin.
The mayor has in the past held receptions for the town's servicemen and women and a reception for Joe could go ahead, if he wants one, as could a march.
Members of the public who support the idea are asked to contact the mayor of Eastbourne, Greg Szanto, by writing to him at the;
Mayor's Office, Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne or calling 01323 415 020. Or Send an Email via this link; "Send Mail"
Awaiting Next Update.................................(All Links on this page are Still Active)
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