Drawing the Curtin? An exercise in confusion.

The presentation about Chilton Woods made by Curtin and Co, a public relations consultant to the Developers,  at Acton Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday was a real disappointment for all who attended.

The maps provided were woefully inadequate, and the presenter was not able to answer many of the questions from the audience.  What was worse she appeared to contradict information that members of Acton Parish Council had understood from other meetings that they and I have attended in recent weeks.  This led to much confusion, and I have to say, from my perspective, an element of embarrassment.

It seems to me that the developer should spend less money on public relations companies (which so far have done little but turn the public off!) and spend more time in actually talking directly,  and coherently,  to the people who matter, the local residents. Following the meeting, I have made my opinion known to Babergh officers, and I know that Colin Spence has also raised the issue with the County Council, who, of course, own much of the land.

For what it was worth the following points came across strongly from Acton residents:

1.       

 Firstly, the footprint of the development has clearly been enlarged since the last consultations. Anger and disappointment were expressed at the further encroachment on the northern boundary, the reduction of screening, and the reduction of the ‘strategic gap’ between the development and Newmans Green to the eastern end of the development to about 300 yards, despite previous assurances that the integrity of the settlement would be maintained.

2.              

 Secondly, it was agreed that traffic travelling to the A134 from the new estate must be diverted away from Acton village in general and Mills Lane, Newmans Green, in particular.  This implies that Acton Lane should be closed to  everything apart from buses, bikes and pedestrians.

3.               
Thirdly, the currently planned  development should contain no more than 750 houses, as previously indicated.  Further houses should be situated to the west of Tesco.

I will keep readers of the blog informed of further developments where possible, and urge everyone to keep abreast of what is going on, attend the public meetings/exhibitions that are due to be held shortly, and make their opinions known ‘ clearly, early and often’.