Here come the Nimbies

When we started preparing for this inquiry, our planning consultants sagely told us that we'd be treated in one of two ways. First of all, we could be ignored. The developer's legal team could just sit listening to what we had to say and then nonchalently wave us away, leaving the professionals to continue with the inquiry. On the other hand we could be discredited as Nimbies. A NIMBY, for those who don't know, is someone who objects to something which provides the greater good, but happens to be located near them.

Today, we were the Nimbies. First up, Nigel Smith - district councillor for Packington - read out a statement underlining the strong concerns of the residents of Packington, as Ashby creeps closer to their village. Then Chris Miles of Packington Parish Council reminded the inquiry of their survey which showed the vast majority of residents against the development. He outlined concerns about flooding. An avenue to be exploited by Hallam...their scheme has a big pond which will fill up when it rains and save Packington from the deluge. Wouldn't parishoners in Packington think that was a good idea?

Then it was us. Led by our barrister, Jack Smyth, I expressed concerns about the way local views had been bypassed by the developers, underlining that it was for local councillors to determine planning applications, or decide where houses should be built. If this appeal were allowed, it would fundamentally undermine that whole process and open up the entire field for each and every developer who wanted to try their luck with a planning inquiry.

In cross examination, Hallam's barrister was very polite and accommodating, but went for the NIMBY theme. We were against all development, weren't we? No, I replied, but it was up to the proper processes of the LDF to decide where development should be. Calling into question the objectivity of our surveys which showed Packington Nook development was extremely unpopular, he went into his hat and pulled out the magic rabbit which was a graphical analysis of our LDF survey. People near Burton Road didn't like the Burton Road development, those near MoneyHill didn't like that...so too with Leicester Road. So everyone in Ashby is a NIMBY! There's a big swathe of red lines, showing roads where residents who replied thought the Packington Nook site was the least preferred - it's towards the centre and south of the town (where, incidentally, is the greatest density of residents in the town). It shows very plainly how unpopular their site is. I've scanned and uploaded it here.

We then took the stand on local highways. John calmly and carefully told the Inspector where the problem hotspots were in our medieval town centre roads. Pictures of queuing traffic. Buses coming out onto Wood Street on one of the worst junctions in town (which would be relied on by residents of the new development to get to Tesco). Then the rat run down Cambrian Way and Windsor Road. John conceded that some road calming on Cambrian Way would be a good thing, but only to stop cars that currently speed there. It was unacceptable to use that as mitigation for higher traffic volumes. Cross-examination was brief. Lots of questions that needed to be asked would probably have exposed the absence of their full traffic model, which we are yet to see.

Then Chris Tandy described how the Gilwiskaw Brook has suffered under previous development and the only bit left outside the SAC is the bit that crosses the Hallam site. The suggestion that more surface water flow should be put down the river system to flush out the high levels of phosphates goes against the needs of many protected species that need a sandy bed and slow running water to breed. With pictures of blown manholes and raw sewage leaking out in times of high usage and rainfall, it is clear how floods in Packington have a further more sinister risk of contamination. Again, surely the Hallam flood protection scheme would stop all this?! - interjected their barrister. Chris replied wisely - it has been shown that the residents of Packington would prefer to have a flood than your houses!

Not a bad effort by the Nimbies.