'18 'ClitheroeAdi>ertiser&Titties',March'17th,'2bb5


A special two-page report by TRACY JOHNSON with pictures by GEORGINA BREWSTER


' www.cfilheroel6day.co.uk


■ Clithef6e'4l25'3r2'4’ (Edif6nalj: 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 4'22331 '(Classified)


Feelings run high at public meeting


STRONG feelings of opposi­ tion towards.the proposed panopticon for the Ribble Val­ ley were voiced during a some­ times stormy two-and-a-half hour public meeting, last Wednesday.


- The project, which aims to build six 21st century landmarks in the hills of East Lancashire, had proposed to erect a viewing wall, called “neoSCOPE”, at Kemple End. However, due to the


strength of public feeling, organisers have agreed to look for an alternative sit& Managed by Mid Pennine Arts


and supported by Ribble Valley Borough Council, East Lan­ cashire Partnership (ELP) and the Regional Park Programme, the meeting was held to allow the organisations involved a chance to explain the project’s objectives and the perceived benefit to the Ribble Valley, if approved. Held at Hurst Green’s village


haU, it was attended by more than 100 residents from across the Rib­ ble Valley. Chaired and opened by ELP


A The Clitheroe m dvertiser and 1 imes PROVIDING SUBSTANCR AND


NOURISI IMBNT FOR THE WHOLE BODY AND MIND.


H O L I S T I C TH ERAPEIA


Hopi Ear Candle Treatment Ear canclle.s have a purely physical function. A light suction action and the


movement of the flame create a vibnition of ;iir in the ear ctmdle, generating a


massage - like effect on the etirdaim. This induces a pleasant


feeling of warmth and a balance of pre.ssure in the ears, sinuses and forehetid.


A soothing treatment helpful for earache, headaches, ear noise, stress and neivousne.ss.


Book an Hopi Ear Candle and face massage for £30.00 in March and receive a free Tisserand bath product.


We offer a wide range of complimentary treatments to our


clients from Aromatlierapy, Reflexology, Hydrotherm, Swedish, remedial, deep tissue, sports and seated massage.


For advice or to book an appointment teleplione 01200 443719 or visit us at ww'w.liolistictlierapeia.com.


Reader Offer H, 1 / r . m mem,


Offer ends end of March.


OL I ST I C free Tisserand every Hopi ear


- . I


^ u/y/** bath product with "


candle treatment 1


NICK HUNT (far right) talks the project through at the panopticon public meeting, (G090,30r)/2a) and right, a Hurst Green resident stands up to be counted (G09030.5/2b)


^' ?J,k—


sHmvnaiJM ; 23Z-Z96 Leeds Road, Npisfln, Uncsf604‘'®WWrf4ryMiVilsJ


20 zmPlSJE DISPLAYS


--------0 1 2 8 2 4 4 9 0 7 5 OP£N 7 O A « AV^EK:


Mon-fti lOaiifSpm, SaS 4 Stin 10am-4pmi i V


'2l: Ghurch Street,^Glitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2DF Tel 0 1200 422264 mail@irenechenerymaher.co.uk


director Mr Nick Briggs, the meeting had barely begun when it was halted by an outburst from a member of the public, who called for an open vote to be taken. He argued that the public questions, scheduled for after the presenta­ tions, should be brought forward. This was just the first of several interruptions as people grew impatient to air their serious con­ cerns. Mr Briggs, who had been try­


ing to explain that the point of the evening was a chance to listen to what people had to say and that the intention of the project was not to spoil the landscape, but enhance it, tried to reassure his apparently hostile audience by adding: “We are not here to fight, we are here to listen.


HURST GREEN Memorial Hall is packed out as local residents meet to air their views over the con­ troversial panopticon scheme (G090305/2c)


“I promise we will walk away if


it is not what people want.” Presentations by Mr Chris


Henshall of the Regional Park Programme, and Mr Nick Hunt, on behalf of East Lancashire Environmental Arts, followed. The speakers argued that the


project would encourage cultural tourism and thereby boost the rural economy. They said the aim was about creating gateways that would lead and encourage people to discover and explore the land­ scape. The two presentations were


again disturbed by frequent ques­ tions from the floor. The artist responsible for the


neoSCOPE design, Mr Nayan Kulkami, was next to speak. He reassured the crowd that the


design, which will vary in height as it hugs the undulating land­ scape, would not interfere with the marvellous view. A lover of walking himself, Mr


Kulkarni said the design was about making the viewing point safer and accessible for more peo­ ple, especially disabled visitors, to


enjoy. Questions from the public then followed. The main concerns included lit­


ter and traffic problems from increased visitors, the ongoing cost of maintenance borne by local taxpayers, harm to wildlife and spoiling the area. Mr Peter Carpenter, a resident


of Kemple End, argued that increased parking would affect his property, as there was already a shortage of parking for the cur­ rent visitors, while Mr Brian Chapman, of Ribchester, raised similar concerns on increased traf­ fic.


Mr Derek Harwood, of Hurst


Green, said he did not agree that Kemple End was a desirable site and alternatives should be explored, while Mrs Judith Kok, of Kemple End, said the area attracts enough walkers and pick- nickers during the warmer seasons and any more would just increase litter and traffic problems. Petitions were also submitted


to the panel, with more than 1,000 names objecting to the project. A vote was carried out at the


end which determined three in favour of the project, but more than 100 o p p o ^ to it. Mr Chris May, from Sabden,


one of the three who voted in favour of the project, said it was a bold and adventiuxius idea, which would be a terrible loss for the Ribble Valley if missed out. Talking after the meeting Mr


Briggs said he was more than will­ ing to consider alternative sites if that was the main bone of con­ tention for objectors. A further round of public con­


sultation is planned liefore any planning application is submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Coun­ cil.


That planning procedure


would also allow the public to comment on the idea. Commenting on the outcome of


the public meeting, Mr Briggs said; “This is only a small part of the process. We are here to listen to people, but a show of hands tonight is not the deciding vote.” An amended version of the


design is due to be unveiled tomorrow.


Petition has 650 names


MORE than 650 peo­ ple added their names to copies of the Hurst Green petition via the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times' front office. Due to requests this


week, the petition has been relocated at our front office.


SABDEN man Mr Anthony Haworth questions the speakers (G09030.5/2b0


rtiode»to- measure


Flr.ct»ns mami&jdii’nr.


tabalcus cusRm'i- ir«fde tedrDDtns. a (sitnNins at bgfiiy cainpKlitii'e priirHs..


The latest styles, hitlshes «nd ^ppliartcn;


Campiiter-nidcii tfesign Sc quotaEian faeifity


FREi r<.-obiiR3tf3n homp puf’iny


Absalulely i» pressure selfini! poikry


QIW A JT! PPUAHCCSI ^ j t i & l<itchens S - - - ■ t t " " SPECIALISTS IN


HOUSE/LAND SALE & PURCHASE WILLS


PROBATE & TRUSTS MEDIATION AND FAMILY LAW _ Tv»4-.. -j


RESIDENTS listen intently to the proposals, but appear non-too- happy with what they hear (G090305/2d)


M- V'! -


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


www.clitheroetoday.co.uk


Cfitheroe Advertiser & Times, March 17th, 2005 19 Minds were already made up T


e n s io n was fraught during Wednesday’s meeting about the pro­ posed panopticon for the Rib­


ble Valley. On arrival, I sensed an atmo­


sphere and felt that the evening would not run smoothly in favour of the panelists. Well-organised and arranged,


each person on arrival was pre­ sented with an agenda. Seeing that the panel of speak­


ers were being given one hour to present, while the public only had 50 minutes, I think, in hindsight, may have got people’s backs up. Nick Briggs, who explained


this, said th a t the format was structured in this way, so that the facts of the project could be pre­ sented before the public made its mind up.


ABOVE, the artist Mr


Kulkarni (G090305/2r) and below, destroying God’s country says Mr Robin Clark (G09(l305/2e)


This, I feel, is where the organ­


isers got it wrong. It was clear during the course of


the evening that those attending had already firmly made their minds up and no facts or figures could have swayed that. The meeting set off to a shaky


start, with an interruption by a member of the crowd just minutes


• into the proceedings. His call for an open vote and


the public questions to be brought forward was the first of many interruptions during the course of the evening. In fact, not one of the speakers,


except the artist, Nayan Kulka­ rni, mananged to complete his presentation without one. The meeting was intended to


highlight the benefits of the pro­ ject for the Ribble Valley, by


showing examples of other areas


' where similar projects had been put into place. A good idea in principle, but


-when you start comparing the Ribble Valley with Salford and Newcastle, people are going to start ridiculing the plan. Personally I found the informa­


tion very interesting and could see the benefits of the project, but from the perspective of those in attendance it would not have been. They wanted to tell the organ­


isers this wasn’t the place for a panopticon - not hear about other places that might be. The representatives from the


organisations did the best they could, but I felt they were fighting a losing battle from the outset. People who went to the meeting


LAST week’s public meeting on the proposed panopticon was always going to be a stormy affair. It offered the first chance for


local people to stand up and have their say, with a clear majority strongly opposed to the plan. Organisers promised they


went purely because they are pas­ sionate about this area and don’t want to see their beautiful land­ scape altered or spoilt - which they felt would happen if the pro­ posal had won approval. The organisers promised they


were more than willing to look at a proposal for an alternative site, which now appears to be the case. But will it simply move us back


to square one with another group of objectors battling to preserve another site? The impression I gathered from


the evening is that the people pre­ sent (and I appreciate they do not represent the whole of the Ribble Valley) did not want anyone to interfere with Kemple End or any other part of the countryside, which they consider as special. They want it to stay that way.


would listen and act on what they heard - a promise they have kept with the announce­ ment this week that they will now seek an alternative site. Advertiser and Times


reporter TRACY JOHNSON gives her personal impression of the meeting that changed their minds.


I R.E N E C H E N E R.')" M -\H E R, I S O L I C l


T O R S


.


BLACKBURN t 01254246046


COLNE 101282 868444


kitchen designeenfre


free thinking - free design


ROCHDALE


Brownhill Roundabout Regent St Whitewalls 15 Cheetham Street Blackburn BB1 9AZ Colne BBS 8LD


Rochdale OL16 1DG t 01706 347111


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35