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Persecution of Jenny Mumford - 2008/04/19 10:20Jenny Mumford faces prosecution and enforcement action from Lewes District Council for putting a piece of art on the side of her house. The artwork is attractive and it enhances the street in the conservation area where she lives. So far as I know none of her neighbours has complained about it. But, it is critical of the planners who are bringing the case against her.
It might be nice to think that the planners care so much about the conservation area that they are really picky about what they regard as infringements. But are they? I've just had a letter from the Planning Department to advise that the application to demolish a flint wall on the Lewes House site "was deferred at the meeting of the Planning Applications Committee on 26 March 2008 and subsequently withdrawn by the applicant on the basis that legal advice indicates that CAC (Conservation Area Consent) is not required."
In fact the application was not deferred. It was refused. The Planning Committee was then told they had made a mistake and they probably illegally changed their decision. Now the applicant has decided that the application isn't necessary and the Council are indicating that they don't propose to do anything about it.
Storm in a teacup? Officers just sorting out a minor administrative cock up to ensure that very necessary housing including affordable units get built? Not quite. The Planning Committee met the day before, on 25 March, for a site visit followed by a two hour meeting in private with the officers. Was this legal? I don't know. I'm not a lawyer. But it certainly was not usual - or democratically transparent. It appears the Planning Committee were apprised of the practical facts of the case and they were 'coached' in how to deal with the application.
Unfortunately they either forgot their lines or lost their stomach for the process in the face of the almost palpable anger in the public gallery. They approved the applications to build the housing, break through the twitten walls and demolish the 18th century ice house and then refused the application to demolish a flint wall across the main site which barred access to where the public housing was to be built. Panic! The cash from the Housing Corporation apparently fell away at the end of the financial year (31 March) and the whole process would have to start again. Hence the fudge.
Before proceeding against Jenny Mumford's Glenda Slagg picture, our planners should speak to their colleagues in Oxford who failed to get a giant shark removed from a roof in Headington. Besides, it seems far more likely that the Planning Committee have broken the law than this concerned local resident.
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Harry
Re:Persecution of Jenny Mumford - 2008/04/20 18:45If it is signs being put up on walls in a conservation area that worries LDC it's odd that estate agents' signs never seem to bother them. There's one nailed to the wall on a house round the corner from Jenny's but I haven't heard that LDC has made any threats over that. I wonder why.
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jstockdale
Re:Persecution of Jenny Mumford - 2008/04/21 10:31The Annual Town Meeting at which the Town Council give an account of themselves to the townspeople is at 8pm on Thursday 24 April. The Town Council thoughtfully and intelligently opposed the Lewes House development and were, like us, ignored. Here's an opportunity to air our views. We can ask them to put their money (actually, it's our money) where their mouth is and do something about the irregularities in the District Council's process and the disgraceful bullying of Jenny Mumford.
The Lib Dems who control the Town Council have always made it clear they act independently and in a non-partisan way. We could ask them to take legal advice about options for judicial review, a referral to the local government ombudsman or district auditor, and, if any individuals have stepped over the line, a complaint to the Committtee on Standards.
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A Dicks
Re:Persecution of Jenny Mumford - 2008/04/21 15:26It seems likely that Jenny Mumford is breaking a law. So is every estate agent that fixes its board to a house wall.
If our council planning officials spent less time harassing well-meaning individuals and thereby curbing the free spirit that saw our martyrs executed, that Tom Paine recognised and that has recently been an important factor in separating Lewes from all the clone towns that threaten to overwhelm us...
...they could then devote this time (we are told they are hopelessly under-staffed) to make sure that the planning process is carried out professionally and with demonstrable integrity - something that appears to be lacking with the Lewes House string of Applications.
I ask the obvious question: Which is more likely to harm our conservation area - An ephemeral, tongue-in-cheek poster, or a multi-million £ development that is demonstrably inappropriate for the area and that requires demolition of ancient flint wall and a 400 year old ice-house.
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jstockdale
Re:Persecution of Jenny Mumford - 2008/04/23 12:01At a meeting at Jenny Mumford's house last night, we agreed
to attend the Annual Town Meeting on Thursday 24 April at 8pm and ask the Town Council to get legal advice about challenging and overturning the Planning Authority's decision to approve the planning applications for the Lewes House site.
to organise a march in support of Jenny's right to free expression meeting on Saturday 3 May. We will meet at 10am on Malling Fields by the skateboard park, process round the back of the Farmers market and end up in Grange Gardens. There will be a big jazz band leading the march.
Come to either or both if you can.
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mhaukeland
Re:Persecution of Jenny Mumford - 2008/04/27 17:44The first application of the proposed 'Rees Elliot Quarter' at the former bus station has been made. Ten studio flats over four storeys on East Street next to the Old Library. It will be taller, wider and deeper than all the surrounding buildings. The Architects' Advisory Council described the design as having a 'riverside feel' and 'turning its back on East Street' - which is nice. Objections by 2.5.08 please.
Sussex Express are attending at 6pm on Monday 28th with a photographer to hear from some of the many local residents dismayed at the scheme. All are welcome. Thanks to J.stockdale etc al this is becoming a hot(tish) topic - even for the Express.
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