Ciitheroe 422324 (Editoriai), 422323 (Advertising), Burniey 422331 (Classified) 16 Clitheroe Advertisers Times, December9th, 2004 wvAW.ciitheroetoday.co.uk


Ciitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


vwrw.clitheroetoday.co.uk


Ciitheroe Advertiser & Times, December 9th, 2004 17


-I Write to: The Edilor, Clilheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Slrcel, Cliiheroe BB72EW EdHorial e-mail: vivien.mealh@casllancsnews.co.uk-


Pensioners’ rights to a decent home, security and respect


LAST night I was at a meet­ ing of Kibble Valley Borough Council (November 30th). Terms of reference relating


to the future of the council housing stock of the borough council was on the agenda. Specific reference was given


to the outcome of the Housing Options Appraisal (HOA). However, I refer to the com­


ments of the leader of the council, Coun. John Hill, and may I say in our defence about his comment “gold- plated”. Our older pensioners have


worked hard all their lives incurring hardship rationing, having to live through a three- day week, the miners’ strike, a world war, conscription and not to mention bringing up a family, but they made the best of a bad job. Now in the twilight of their


years, Coun. Hill had the audacity to say: “They want it gold plated.” How dare you! You may have a big house, car expenses and when you


retire (with a good pension), you will be well off, where some only want what is a good and dignified standard of liv­ ing. Thank you, but “gold plat­


ed” is not what they want. It is a right to have a decent


home, a lounge, kitchen, bath­ room and a separate bedroom, also off-road parking where needed. Things are changing and


the elderly are fed up of com­ ing last. We want security, respect and decent homes to live in. One day Coun. Hill, I hope


when you get old like us, it won’t be gold plated and all your high-handed remarks about the elderly will give you an insight into what we are now going through and this in turn will, I hope, give you a little more respect for the next elderly citizens of the Kibble Valley.


COUN. HILDA MARLE, Park House, Longridge, Preston


This bizarre decision


will help no one ON November 25th a planning applica­ tion was approved for change of use of a terraced family home in King Street, Whalley, into an NHS dentists' surgery. Whalley Parish Council and both the


Whalley ward councillors were very strongly against the application and a number of residents had also written to


object. However, the other members of the


planning committee (none of whom live in Whalley) thought that the benefit of hav­ ing an NHS dentist in the Kibble Valley outweighed all the objections over traffic and parking, and so the applicationa was approved. I should point out that the planning


committee is not wholly to blame. Members were aided and abetted in this


crackpot decision by the Kibble Valley Borough Council planning department. The house concerned has no car parking


for either the surgery staff or its patients. NHS dentistry is a high-traffic busi­


ness, yet bizarrely the planning depart­ ment, when recommending approval, con­ veniently failed to mention traffic and parking at all. Twenty years ago an application to use


the downstairs rooms of the same house as a florists was dismissed by the Secretary of State on appeal. Among the grounds for dismissing the


appeal were the potential traffic and park­ ing problems. As every resident knows, Whalley's traf­


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fic and parking problems are a lot worse now than they were in 1984. The application was rushed through the


planning process with unusual speed. Indeed, at the time the planning com­


mittee was asked to consider it, the statu­ tory 21-day period for objections had not even expired. Inspection of the full file a t KVBC


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reveals a letter from the NHS Primary Care Trust to the planning department, imploring them to support the applica­ tion. It looks like they did. By now some readers may have reached


the conclusion that I'm just a nimby hot-in-my-backyard. I'm not. Keadon-


it gets worse. treatment. The two dentists are leaving an NHS .


surgery in Accrington which has decided to go private and no longer offer NHS


When i t opens, the new Whalley n


surgery will offer no new registrations because the dentists' 5,000 existing patients from their Accrington practice


are to get priority. Once all these have registered just how


many places (if any) will be left for Kib­


ble Valley residents? Whalley's chaotic traffic and parking


bedlam is therefore about to be com­ pounded by the infliction of this new busi­ ness, without any discernible benefit to


local people. And this incredible planning decision


was made even more bizarre by the fact that, ivithin 10 minutes of the King Street decision, the committee had approved yet another application for an NHS dentists - this time a purpose-built clinic with its own car park on The Sidings. If Whalley must have an NHS dentists' surgery, then surely this should be the pre­


ferred location. Number 83 King Street is a perfectly


good family home, but it will make an unsuitable dentists' surgery. Current planning rules will ensure that


it cannot be turned back into a home until 2016 at the earliest because Kibble Valley apparently has an oversupply of houses. 'This commercial encroachment into the


residential part of the King Street conser­ vation area is just another sad step in Whalley's agonising transformation from a once-lovely village into a small town. The granting of the change of use for 83


King Street has very little to do with pro­ viding much-needed NHS dentistry to Kibble Valley people. It has an awful lot to do with helping the


Primary Care Trust to meet its govern­ ment target for handing out big dollops of public money to dentists willing to set up as NHS.


IVAN A. HARGREAVES, King Street, Whalley


Councillors have a


duty to be prudent LAST week's article by Natalie Cox takes great account of the opinions of the Ten­ ants' Panel and of one Kibble Valley hous­ ing officer. Keaders will recall it was suggested that


councillors were not up to speed and so on. Perhaps we need to get down to the


basics. Last October, councillors were told that


our council houses were worth £8m. Debts on the capital used to construct


these houses came to around £4m. This left a net value of £4m., which, it


was said, the council would have the abili­ ty to spend as it chose. About a year later we have been told we


need to spend an extra £10m. on our prop­ erty, which effectively is treated as a liabil­ ity, giving our properties a value of, at best, zero. This liability is entirely artificial: our houses meet all the appropriate standards


now. In fact the situation is worse than


described above: we would have to pay a housing association to take the properties off our hands. The reality is that, at a nominal price of


something like £20,000 per house, our stock is worth more like £25m. Your councillors have a duty to be pru­


dent. They do not believe that giving away an


asset worth £25m. is sensible. The earlier values of £8m. were


obtained using a formula which deliber­ ately depresses the value of the properties. We have asked for further work on this


problem to make sure we are not being bounced by the Government, and perhaps others, into a deal capable of disadvantag­ ing all Kibble Valley residents.


COUN. JOYCE HOLGATE, Conservative chairman of the


Housing


Committee and COUN. MARGARET SUTCLIFFE, Liberal Democrat shadow chairman of the Housing Committee.


— Write to: The Editor, Ciitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3 King Street, Ciitheroe BB72EW Editorial e-mail: vivicn.mealh@eastIancsnews.co.uk It’s not just teeth that


need close scrutiny! HAS everybody gone bonkers or is just us


local people? It woidd seem from reports in your paper


that the Kibble Valley Borough Council has decided to allow an NHS dental practice from Accrington to open in Whalley. On the surface, this seems very reasonable


and to be applauded apart from adding to the already serious traffic congestion in Whalley and something to be snapped up in view of the national shortage of NHS den­ tal surgeries. However, all is not as it seems and these


particular dentists are to offer 5,000 places to people from their existing list in Accring­ ton. Why can’t they find premises in Accring­ ton, as this would seem sensible and practi­


cal? If they are to open then surely they should


offer Whalley and Kibble Valley residents the first opportunity to be on this NHS list, and then if any places are left, to offer them to those from outside the area. I understand that should any Accrington


patient not be able to travel to Whalley due to the cost involved then places will be offered to us local people! This too isn’t right or fair. Why should someone who needs an NHS


dentist lose out because his dentist decides they want to work in Whalley as opposed to


their own area?. I am also more than concerned as to the


amount of additional traffic that will come into Whalley should this plan proceed even if Kibble Valley residents are given the first opportunity. What was wrong with the Sidings plot of


land that was offered by Mr Konnan for such a practice with ample parking spaces? What is wrong with the site at Barrow


specially designated for such proposals? I would like to know why the Kibble Val­


ley Borough Council passed this proposal? Surely they have abdicated from their


responsibilities in ensuring that the Whalley and Kibble Valley residents are given the first opportunity. It defies all lope to have 5,000 people from


Accrington coming over to this area! Whoever has dreamt up this particular


Whats


farce needs to have not only their teeth close­ ly examined, but also their brains by people in white coats! MR D AND M BARNES, George Street, Whalley


Take account of what


is here before moving PLEASE may I have a Marks & Spencers or


aDebenhams? Somehow I think that the Ciitheroe coun­


cil would say no to this request and I would not expect them to agree to it, just as the Muslim community should not expect them to build a mosque. I moved to Ciitheroe two years ago know­


ing full well that there are no large stores or noisy discos, that is why I moved here to get away from all that and to enjoy the peace and the quaintness of a beautiful little town and its surrounding beautiful countryside. Anyone of the Muslim faith must know


that there are no mosques in Ciitheroe before they move here, so they have made that choice just as I have. Surely it is up to them to either travel or


to move to a town with a mosque. If I want to go to a town full of large stores or my daughters want to go to a late-night disco then we are prepared to travel. These^e the issues we discussed before we moved here.


We don’t expect Ciitheroe to change for


us, we have to change to fit into the quieter life of Ciitheroe. I t would be a crying shame tp change it


into a busy, buzzing town, don’t we have enough of those in this country?


MRSJ.E.EASTHAM, Pendle View, Grindlcton


God’s own country,


but only up to a point! IN a recent edition you published a eulogy from an Allan Friswell about Ciitheroe and the surrounding area. It ended with the sen­ tence: “This really is God’s own country”. That would not appear to be the case if


you are Muslim. It is ironic that in the same edition you had a report that once again long-standing members of the community were denied the opportunity to develop their own place of worship. In relation to God’s representatives on


earth, I understand that the vicar of Whal­ ley was one who was party to this denial. This was surely an opportunity to put into practice what I assume he preaches. God’s own country? Yes - if you are white


and Christian. LESLEY AND TREVOR MARKLEW,


SandilandsFarm, Rimington


Why ever was there a


need for anonymity? WE should thank “Name and Address Sup­ plied” (letters December 2nd) for providing an important point of clarification in the “mosque debate”, although why s/he requested, and why you granted, anonymity is somewhat puzzling. What on earth was there in the content of the letter that should prevent your readers from knowing who wrote it?- The writer states that many local people


"are totally against a mosque being built anywhere in the town, but are afraid to air their views publicly for fear of being called


racist". That is a refreshingly honest statement.


Perhaps the writer could now display some moral courage by revealing their identity and explaining equally clearly to us what reasons there are, other, than racist, for not wanting a mosque "built anywhere in the


town". REV. DR PETER


SHEPHERD, Eastham Street, Ciitheroe


Praise indeed from


an impressed visitor! I HAD an opportunity in November to come up to Ciitheroe to attend Ciitheroe Royal Grammar School’s reunion dinner. As a columnist for Bristol Evening Post


(part of the Northcliffe Newspaper Group) I couldn’t resist the temptation to recount my visit in that paper. I t was a very pleasant weekend, a step


back in time. We stayed at the Swan and Royal for one night since, as you may know, that as a former Rolls Royce senior engine designer I organised the commemorative plaque for the historic meeting which is dis­ played both outside and inside the hotel. My cousin, who came with me, thorough­


ly enjoyed the visit, particularly so when we re-visited some of the old haunts. We spent a


lovely hour in the Exchange Coffee Shop and since my cousin has just retired from his own business in the wine trade, also as a manager


at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, he was very impressed with Byrnes’ wine shop. He admired particularly the selection they had of really quality wines. It was possibly the best stocked wine store he had ever seen. I feel sure you will gather that we had a won­ derful time looking around. We were both delighted to meet Colin


Wiseman, at Chatbum, a great friend of our family. Age 95, going on 96, he still drives and his memory and wellbeing is as perfect now as when he was many years younger. We are proud of him. A great man for the


Royal British Legion, he was in the Burma campaign in wartime and a Normandy Landing front man. I t was a privilege to meet him. , Maybe you might like to feature this per­ son one day in your newspaper. He is an “icon” and I feel confident he will make 100. My cousin and I are coming to Ciitheroe


again for a “second helping” early in the New Year.


DOUGLAS DANIELS, Newleaze House, Roycroft Road, Filton, Bristol.


You know the rules


before you start WITH reference to Mr J. Huskisson’s letter (November 25th edition) headed: “Debate is really quite simple”. One could hardly add anything on the


moral and humanitarian terms. However, tucked away on page 66 there is an article representing the views of Mr Nigel Evans MP for Kibble Valley. He is protesting about the ban on hunting with dogs. Of course, he has the same right as any Member of Parlia­ ment to protest or disapprove of the out­ come, but the vote was taken (not once, but 10 times). Mr Evans applied and was given a chance to serve the country in his most privileged position. It is very sad that when the voting went against his cherished blood sports he caimot find the grace of accepting, worse he would like to see the rules of Par­ liament to be changed in this particular case. When Mr Evans applied for his post he must have been aware of the rules and pro­ ceedings. When after serving five years in the


British Eighth Army we came to this coun­ try to he demobilised and settle, I was often asked what I found most important. I u^d to reply: just two pieces of paper, a voting slip and the passport. I find that only those of us who never had to suffer the loss of fre^ dom and terrifying tyranny can indulge in the luxury of self importance.


IRENE ZALASIEWICS, Hebbum Drive, Bury.


Avoid village rat run


and go another way MR JOHNSON, why are you using the Sab- den road if it’s so dangerous (Letters page, December 2nd)? Why don’t you go through the Devil’s


Elbow and avoid the “rat run” through the village. It will be a lot quicker and less Irau- matic? Why do you believe there is a need for more yellow paint? The traffic has to go slower if the road is reduced to one lane. I t leads to more considerate driving. Our chil­ dren would be far less safe if the road was turned into a two-lane freeway as you sug­ gest, but it would of course allow you and others a faster route through the village.


JOHN SHORTER, Whins Avenue, Sabden


We urgently need help to prevent


the rape of our beautiful island IN history it is not often that a community pleads for help. For us that day has come on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Our remote island has been


proposed as an industrial wind factory: 234 turbines, each over 460 feet tall, more than 100 miles of road and five large quarries are planned. Almost all of this is to be built on a European designated area. I t will stretch continuously for more than 48 km. Lewis Wind Power (a partnership of AMEC and British Energy) are proposing this develop­ ment. I t will change not only our


lives, but also our children's and grandchildren's. I t will destroy our undeveloped land­ scape, slaughter wildlife and ruin our cultural heritage and way of life. Not one watt of electicity will be used on Lewis. This is only the first of three massive wind farms proposed, eventually around 500 turbines will dominate our island. For what? For who? For


you.We are to suffer so tha t you can consume more electric­ ity - supposed "green" power. In the uncontrolled quest for this utopia the people of Lewis have been ignored. A recent poll showed that 88% of people


.in our communities are against this proposal, but still the developers and politicians are hell bent on forcing it upon us. We urge you to take on ener­


gy efficient ways in the hope of stopping the destruction of our heritage. Some of you may have holidayed here and seen the wdld unspoilt landscape in which we live. I t is home to otters, salmon, eagles and thousands of wading birds. Many will be lost forever, even the developer acknowledges this. The majority of Lewis urge you to object to the rape of our island and help stop this development. Please write to the Scottish


Executive before December 13th at the following address: Lesley Thomson, The Scottish Executive, Consents and Emergency Planning Unit, 2nd Floor, Meridian Court, 5 Cado- gan Street, Glasgow, G2 6AT. Alternatively, send an e-mail to the following: lesley.thom- son@scotland.gsi.gov.uk More details about us and


our island can be found on www.mwtlewis.org.uk. As a community we urge you to write. Thank you.


ANNE CAMPBELL,on behalf of MWT (Moorland without Turbines),PO Box 2, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis


Y o u r l e t t e r s . . . • The Editor welcomes letters on any subject, but correspondents are


reminded that contributions may be edited or condensed, must not exceed 350 words and should reach us by noon on Tuesday. Letters with noms de plume are now only accepted for publication if the editor agrees that there is a valid reason for the writer's identity to


be withheld. Letters ean be sent by post to the CUtheroc Advertiser and Times, 3


King Street, Ciitheroe BB7 2EW, via e-mail to vivien.meath@eastlanc- snews.co.uk, via fax to 01200 443467 or texted to 07799696447. Letters submitted by any of these methods must, however, include the writer’s name and full postal address.


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