Rob Shepherd
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Standing for election - 2007/04/24 17:55
Rob Shepherd - Standing for election to Lewes District Council
(I've asked the permission of Lewes Matters before posting this.)
I'm writing about my candidacy for Lewes District Council. My name's Rob Shepherd and I'm standing as the only independent in Castle Ward (which includes North Street and the Phoenix Industrial Estate) on a full platform but with the central plank of
"I believe that before Lewes District Council grants planning permission to any major development proposals, it should construct a comprehensive, visionary plan for the whole town, with proper consultation. If elected, I will fight for a freeze on major building developments while we create a proper vision for Lewes."
You can see a great deal more about my views and candidacy by visiting http://www.robshepherd.co.uk
This isn't just inspired by the Phoenix, though clearly it's the biggest development the town faces. Members of the Friends of Lewes have calculated that all the currently proposed developments in Lewes would add an extra 1317 'dwellings' to the town in just a few years. Standard National Office of Statistics records show that these piecemeal developments together would rapidly bring another 3,500 people into our town - a 23% increase! - putting a massive strain on our roads, parking, schools, healthcare, employment and flood defences.
It's the district council's duty to stand back, think, and ask: do we want such growth? And if we do, what should it be like and how do we handle the consequences?
But instead, it's against considering the developments together, despite overwhelming popular demand. Some officials have even said that such joined-up thinking isn’t possible, which is poor, tired and uninspired thinking. So I’m taking the issue to the ballot box.
The opposition parties in the ward have a general, populist anti-Phoenix stance (of course) but I'm the only candidate standing properly on the position that was unanimously agreed by the town at the Phoenix Action/Lewes Matters town hall meeting a few weeks ago.
In Castle ward, each voter has two votes. If you use just one of them for me, you not only send me to the council with a clear mandate about what should happen next, but you also send an extremely clear message to the incumbent Council that their present position just isn't tenable in this town.
This election is the only chance we all have to speak directly to our council through the ballot box. There will be no referendum and by the next election - in four years time - it will be too late.
Please use your votes wisely. And use at least one to tell the council what you think.
Thanks for reading this.
Rob Shepherd
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