Readers' letters - March 10

Think of impact on local community

As a resident of Longridge, I wish to register my concern regarding the proposed plans for an industrial and warehouse development at Hothersall.

In the past three years alone, numerous sites have been passed for residential development including the following larger developments…. Mosses Farm 78

Ridings Yard 220

Dilworth Hill 195

Cricket Club on Chipping Road 300

Grimbaldeston Farm 275

Spout Farm 32

Eccleston Homes 15

Dilworth Triangle 49

Whittingham Hospital 650

Chapel Hill 52

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Consideration needs to be given by the decision-making body on the overall dynamics of the development taking place around Longridge.

Prior to the above mentioned permissions being passed, there were numerous brown field sites which would have been able to accommodate a development of this nature without further loss of green field sites. Longridge has seen the greatest increase in residential planning permissions granted in the last two years than any of the other Ribble Valley towns.

Granting permission for a commercial development of the size will only put further pressure on the road links accessing the proposed site. The bottleneck of Skew Bridge at Grimsargh continues to be problematic – an increase in HGVs and other traffic will add further to this. The primary gateway to Longridge as a destination is along the B6243 from Grimsargh, with a secondary gateway along the B5269 from Goosnargh, therefore development to the rear of Longridge will be counterproductive.

A development of this size will be detrimental to the visual amenity and character of the area. Public transport is limited and would not satisfactorily service the needs of a site of this size. Access is from a main road with a 60mph speed limit, raising concerns for the safety of road users and pedestrians – an increase of traffic in this area would need consideration, particularly the junction Blackburn Road / Lower Road and Dilworth Lane / Lower Lane. The proposed site is adjacent to areas designated as biological heritage sites.

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I trust all these issues will be taken into consideration and also the overall scale of development taking place across Longridge – and the impact this is having on the local community.

Ian and Elizabeth Walmsley

Longridge

SPORT

Gentry forgot their manners

I made the journey to Fulham for the so-called Gentry Match and I have to say the result was extremely disappointing.

PNE offered no real threat and were beaten by a better team on the day.

However, while I appreciate the history behind the Gentry Day occasion, the avid vocal support at Fulham seemed hell-bent on informing everyone present that “we hate Blackpool”.

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I certainly don’t hate Blackpool so I wasn’t jumping around as urged by the chanters.

I am also not sure that Simon Grayson hates Blackpool, so would suggest that chant be amended to “Simon Grayson is a white – he loves Preston!”

The other problem I had AGAIN was people insisting on standing up whenever the ball came to the away end, even when Fulham were attacking, thus blocking my view.

I had, of course, to join them to see the action.

It was noticeable that the home supporters remained seated for the whole game.

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The all-seater stadium rules should be complied with by the The Gentry!

Frank Miller

Ashton

energy

Will you answer our questions?

We recently had two ‘Meet The...’ events in the Fylde – the regulators came to Wrea Green and the British Geological Survey(BGS) came to Treales.

Shale gas is a new industry to the UK, however information from these roadshows was not reassuring.

For example: A friend tells me that Public Heath England (PHE) was asked directly “is this industry dangerous to public health ?”

The answer was “Yes”.

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So comprehensive environmental monitoring is clearly very important.

At Wrea Green, the Environment Agency displayed a large map showing several air quality monitoring sites – rather misleading because they do not currently exist.

Another key aspect is ground water and the BGS are carrying out limited monitoring.

The BGS’s work in Lancashire was set up on their own initiative, and, to date, self-funded.

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So all their monitoring has been restricted due to the costs involved.

And the Government and regulators are not obliged to pay any heed to them.

They also told me Cuadrilla appears reluctant to share any of their own monitoring data with the BGS.

Why so?

Last week, I called for a public debate between two experts: Mr Egan of Cuadrilla and local resident and chartered engineer Mike Hill.

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Bearing in mind recent guidelines from UKOOG: “The public needs to gain a clear understanding of the challenges, risks and benefits associated with the development.”

How about it Mr Egan – are you willing to answer our questions?

T Froud

Lytham

fish seller

He’s no Angel (pun intended)

I was interested to read your article ‘Scales of justice tip against fish seller’ (Your Say, February 28).

I must admit that I found it to be a brill result at Peter Carroll’s herring which was sure to put him in his plaice for huss ling his customers.

No doubt his dabs will now be on file.

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Well done to those customers who smelt a rat(fish?), despite some who were left to flounder as to where to put all the unwanted fish.

No doubt his seller saw some of his customers as suckers.

The question is did he take sole responsibility for his actions?

Eel have plenty of time to consider his position before he is sentenced on March 29.

One thing for sure is that he ain’t no Angel (and yes, that’s a fish also!).

Neil Swindlehurst

Walmer Bridge

charity

We’re looking for trustees

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1Life to live is an innovative mental health and well-being charity in its infancy.

It is forward-thinking, providing therapeutic group workshops, mentoring, support and training. Working with others to support individual mental well-being, 1Life to live believes everyone has the potential to make positive changes in their

beliefs and behaviour.

1Life to live supports young people and adults, who have had traumatic early life experiences, and whose life chances are being restricted by social, emotional, behavioural or mental health issues. We aim to do this by providing evidence-based cognitive behavioural training and support to individuals, or to ‘train the trainers’ in the agencies providing support, for instance mental health workers.

We are looking for enthusiastic trustees to help steer our new charity, enabling our valuable work to develop and continue. We need trustees with experience in bid writing to secure funding for projects. Trustees will also need to maintain charity accounts, deal with policies and procedures, and have IT skills. Please ring 07951 798950 or 07745 781637 for an informal chat.

Barbara

1life to live

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