tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28568255384425403972024-03-18T20:06:31.382-07:00OCRAG - Ockendon Concerned Residents' Action GroupEmail: ocrag@live.co.ukOCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-45005283370355708542009-02-27T12:57:00.001-08:002009-02-28T02:20:44.962-08:00GREAT NEWS<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>GREAT NEWS</strong><br /><br />You will remember in our last letter of 21st November 2008, that there was to be a public enquiry to hear the appeal by T&S Multiservices against Thurrock Council’s Enforcement Notice. This took place on 6th and 7th January 2009 and the Inspector came back with a decision on 12th February 2009. His decision was that “The appeal is dismissed and the enforcement notice upheld.”<br /><br />His conclusion was as follows:<br />“Overall I consider that the Green Belt would be harmed by reason of the proposed development being inappropriate and by a loss of openness. Moreover, the appellant has not submitted any material considerations sufficient to outweigh that harm. Very special circumstances justifying a departure from Green Belt policy do not exist. I therefore conclude that it would not be acceptable having regard to the strict control of new development in the Green Belt contained in national and local policies. It would also be at conflict with the aforementioned policies of the TBLP and the appeal should fail.”<br /><br />The full transcript of his decision can be viewed on our website </span><a href="http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> .<br /><br />The appeal decision upholds the enforcement notice served by Thurrock Council on 18th April 2008 which requires T&S Multiservices to:<br /><br />(i) Cease the use of the land for a depot for an asbestos removal company, office, the parking of vehicles, trailer units and other materials associated with the asbestos removal business and open storage of scaffolding, building materials.<br />(ii) Remove from the land, all vehicles, trailer units and other materials associated with the asbestos removal business and scaffolding, building materials and other materials.<br /><br />The period of compliance given is three months which means they must comply by 11th May 2009.<br /><br />However T&S Multiservices have the option of an appeal to the High Court. The appeal decision can only be challenged on legal grounds and to be successful they would have to show that:<br /><br />(a) The Inspectorate had gone beyond their powers; or<br />(b) Did not follow proper procedures, thereby damaging appellant’s interests.<br /><br />This challenge would have to be made within 28 days. If they challenge and lose, then they would have to bear all costs associated with the case, which could run into a significant amount of money.<br /><br />A major battle has been won but the war is not over yet. We continue to hold meetings and liaise with Thurrock Council to ensure that we achieve the results that all residents want.<br /><br />We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those people who managed to attend the appeal hearing and in particular Councillor Barrie Lawrence, Mr. Chris Saville and Mr. D.A. Duke (OCRAG chairman) who spoke on our behalf, and Thurrock Council’s legal team.<br /><br />For anybody wanting further information please contact us on our Freephone number 0800 083 2596 or e-mail </span><a href="mailto:ocrag@live.co.uk"><span style="font-size:130%;">ocrag@live.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and we shall get back to you.<br /><br />For news updates please refer to the OCRAG blog </span><a href="http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.<br /><br />19th February 2009</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/4148030.Victory_for_South_Ockendon_residents_at_planning_inquiry/">http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/4148030.Victory_for_South_Ockendon_residents_at_planning_inquiry/</a></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-57551915178082746232009-02-12T07:54:00.000-08:002009-02-27T12:54:15.124-08:00The Appeal is Dismissed<span style="font-size:180%;">Appeal Decision</span><br /><br />Inquiry held on 6 & 7 January 2009<br />Site visit made on 7 January 2009<br />by R J Perrins MA MCMI<br />The Planning Inspectorate<br />4/11 Eagle Wing<br />Temple Quay House<br />2 The Square<br />Temple Quay<br />Bristol BS1 6PN<br /> 0117 372 6372<br />email:enquiries@pins.gsi.g ov.uk<br />an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State<br />for Communities and Local Government<br />Decision date:<br />12 February 2009<br />Appeal Ref: APP/M1595/C/08/2076007<br />Bentons Farm, Mollands Lane, South Ockenden, Essex RM15 6DB.<br />• The appeal is made under section 174 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as<br />amended by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991.<br />• The appeal is made by Mr A E Rees against an enforcement notice issued by Thurrock<br />Borough Council.<br />• The Council's reference is 08/00023/ENFORCE.<br />• The notice was issued on 18 April 2008.<br />• The breach of planning control as alleged in the notice is without the benefit of planning<br />permission the making of a change of use on the land for:<br />(1) A depot for an asbestos removal company, office, the parking of vehicles, trailer units,<br />and storage of other materials associated with the asbestos removal business and the<br />(2) Open storage of scaffolding, building materials and other materials.<br />• The requirements of the notice are:<br />(i) Cease the use of the Land for a depot for an asbestos removal company, office, the<br />parking of vehicles, trailer units and other material associated with the asbestos<br />removal business and open storage of scaffolding, building materials.<br />(ii) Remove from the land all vehicles trailer units, and other materials associated with<br />the asbestos removal business and scaffolding, building materials and other materials.<br />• The period for compliance with the requirements is three months.<br />• The appeal is proceeding on the grounds set out in section 174(2) (a) of the Town and<br />Country Planning Act 1990 as amended.<br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#993300;"><strong>Summary of Decision: The appeal is dismissed and the enforcement notice upheld.</strong></span><br /></span></span><br />Main issue<br />1. I consider the main issue in this case to be whether the proposal would<br />constitute inappropriate development within the Green Belt.<br />Planning Policy<br />2. I consider the following polices of the Thurrock Borough Local Plan (TBLP) to be<br />relevant to the case before me; Policy GB1 sets out that permission will not be<br />given, except in very special circumstances, for the change of use of land or reuse<br />of existing buildings unless it is for one of five listed purposes; Policy GB11<br />addresses the re-use and adaptation of buildings in the Green Belt and<br />requires, amongst other things, that any proposed use be fully contained within<br />the building and that it is not detrimental to the appearance of the countryside<br />or amenities of the area. Both policies have been saved by direction of the<br />Secretary of State under Schedule 8 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase<br />Act 2004. The advice found in National Planning Policy Guidance 2 (PPG2)<br />Green Belts is a material consideration.<br />Appeal Decision APP/M1595/C/08/2076007<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Reasons</span><br />Appropriate development<br />3. The appeal site is situated to the south side of Mollands Lane, to the east are a<br />block of garages, allotments lie to the west, to the south is agricultural land<br />and to the north on the opposite side of the Lane are residential properties.<br />The site has well established boundaries with high walls to the south and east<br />and fencing and trees lining the other two. From road level there are limited<br />views into the site. Mollands Lane is predominantly residential although, there<br />are various businesses included a van-hire company situated at the eastern<br />end. It is accepted that the previous lawful use of the site was Class D1, a<br />non-residential institution. That use included a resource centre and day<br />activity/therapy centre.<br />4. Within the site there are areas laid to hardstanding and grass with some trees<br />predominantly on the boundaries. Two single storey buildings are situated near<br />to the southern boundary, one currently being used as offices and the other<br />mainly for the storage of materials and equipment in connection with the<br />asbestos removal company. The listed building, Bentons Farm, is also being<br />used for storing equipment. At the time of my inspection there were 10<br />enclosed trailed units, 1 open trailer, 4 transit sized vans and 1 smaller van.<br />10 cars were parked in front of the building being used as offices, between that<br />building and the wall to the rear I was able to see a secure open storage area.<br />5. PPG2 states that inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the<br />Green Belt and that such development should not be approved except in very<br />special circumstances. The appellant accepted at the Inquiry that there were<br />no very special circumstances in this instance. There is agreement between<br />the parties that the development falls within the definition of inappropriate<br />development, and that there is a presumption against inappropriate<br />development in such areas.<br />6. I accept that the proposed use does not involve the construction of any new<br />buildings and PPG2 encourages the re-use of existing buildings. However,<br />PPG2 is explicit and advises that strict control should be exercised over any<br />associated uses of land surrounding the buildings which might conflict with the<br />openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land in it. To that<br />end the appellant contends that whilst parking is inappropriate development in<br />the Green Belt, this is only the case where it reduces openness. In this<br />instance, because of the enclosed nature of the site with its hardstanding and<br />range of buildings, the effect on openness is very limited.<br />7. I do not accept that view; the presence of parked vehicles reduces openness<br />regardless of any existing screening or buildings. The same principle applies to<br />the storage area between the office and boundary wall. I accept that it is well<br />screened nevertheless, it reduces openness. The development conflicts with<br />the fundamental aim of Green Belt policy; to check urban sprawl by keeping<br />land permanently open. The most important attribute of Green Belts is their<br />openness and I must find that the development reduces that and as such is<br />inappropriate.<br />Appeal Decision APP/M1595/C/08/2076007<br /><br />Conditions<br />8. PPG2 provides that permission should not, in any event, be refused for the reuse<br />of buildings in the Green Belt, if any objections could be overcome by the<br />imposition of suitable conditions. To that end I was asked to consider various<br />conditions which would restrict the use of the site and address the objections<br />raised.<br />9. Firstly, I turn to conditions to restrict the parking of vehicles, trailers and the<br />open storage of scaffolding and associated materials. I accept that vehicle<br />parking, deliveries and storage would have been required for the previous<br />(Class D1) use and that highway safety is not an issue. However, the appellant<br />confirmed that the current use includes daily unloading and loading of plant,<br />machinery and scaffolding. In addition, there would be a requirement to store<br />a minimum of two vans and contamination units in bays near the workshop for<br />maintenance.<br />10. In my opinion, the previous D1 use would not be comparable to the vehicle<br />movements associated with, or the parking and storage required for, the<br />current use. There is nothing before me to suggest that the previous use<br />required external storage or parking for commercial vehicles or that delivery of<br />materials or collection of products was a frequent occurrence.<br />11. In addition, I have taken into account the evidence of third parties regarding<br />the general level of traffic associated with the previous use and the use of a<br />minibus/people carrier for patients. To my mind, that indicates that the need<br />for parking was limited. Moreover, restricting the car parking and storage<br />area, to that shown on the drawing submitted by the appellant, would not, in<br />any event, reduce the harm to the openness of the Green Belt. It would also<br />not be conducive to the setting of the listed building.<br />12. I now turn to the hours of operation; I accept and understand the appellant’s<br />operational requirements in respect of early morning starts (0600 hours). I<br />also recognise the willingness to restrict work times and to not operate on<br />Sundays or Bank Holidays. However, I was able to see the range of<br />equipment currently stored on site and I am in no doubt that loading and offloading<br />of it would generate a level of noise and disturbance. Given the<br />number of vehicles and trailers being operated by the business, I am in no<br />doubt that such disturbance, and the noise it would generate, would have an<br />unacceptable impact upon the living conditions of those living nearby.<br />13. I have also considered conditions which would address issues of security<br />lighting and restrict the use of buildings. I also acknowledge the appellant’s<br />willingness to accept conditions regarding hazardous materials and<br />landscaping. However, whilst these may be achievable to address those<br />issues. Overall, I find, for the reasons given that conditions would not<br />overcome all of the objections and harm I have identified.<br />14. In addition, the appellant asked for consideration to be given to granting<br />planning permission restricted to business use of the site only. In his opinion,<br />that would overcome the issues regarding development in the Green Belt.<br />S177(1) (a) of the Act refers to granting permission for the whole or any part<br />of those matters alleged. However, the jurisdiction to grant planning<br />permission is limited to the terms of the enforcement notice and there is no<br />Appeal Decision APP/M1595/C/08/2076007<br />power to grant planning permission for development different from that alleged<br />to constitute the breach of planning control. In my opinion granting permission<br />for office (Class B1 Business) use would be a materially different development<br />from that alleged. In any event, I am not convinced, from the evidence before<br />me and the operational requirements of the business, that such permission<br />would overcome the harm I have identified.<br />Other matters<br />15. Understandably, given the history of asbestos problems in the area, there is a<br />good deal of local concern regarding the risks associated with the use of the<br />site for an asbestos removal business. I have some sympathy with those<br />views. However, there is nothing before me to indicate that there would be a<br />risk associated with the current business. The removal of asbestos is a highly<br />regularised business, the agencies involved in the licensing and monitoring of<br />such operators have not expressed any concerns regarding the current<br />operations.<br />16. In addition I was able to see the well-organised systems and processes in place<br />during my site visit. There is nothing before me to suggest that any operations<br />taking place at the site are a risk to local people. It would also seem to me<br />that the appellant and his workforce, who work on the site, would in any event<br />be looking toward their own health and safety.<br />17. I have also taken into account the planning history of the site which includes a<br />planning application for the change of use of outbuildings from workshop to<br />store and from workshop and office to B1 office (Ref:07/01309/FUL). I accept<br />that Council officers recommended that application be given planning<br />permission. However, the ground (a) appeal before me is substantially<br />different to that considered by Officers at that time, it addresses the activities<br />taking place at the time the enforcement notice was served and goes beyond<br />what was considered under the previous application.<br />Conclusion<br />18. Overall I consider that the Green Belt would be harmed by reason of the<br />proposed development being inappropriate and by a loss of openness.<br />Moreover, the appellant has not submitted any material considerations<br />sufficient to outweigh that harm. Very special circumstances justifying a<br />departure from Green Belt policy do not exist. I therefore conclude that it<br />would not be acceptable having regard to the strict control over new<br />development in the Green Belt contained in national and local policies. It<br />would also be at conflict with the aforementioned policies of the TBLP and the<br />appeal should fail.<br />Decision<br />19. I dismiss the appeal and uphold the enforcement notice. I refuse to grant<br />planning permission on the application deemed to have been made under<br />section 177(5) of the 1990 Act as amended.<br />Richard Perrins<br />Inspector<br />Appeal Decision APP/M1595/C/08/2076007<br /><br />APPEARANCES<br />FOR THE APPELLANT:<br />Mr Geraint Jones of Counsel Instructed by Wortley Byers of Brentwood.<br />He called<br />Mr Tim Hughes BSc<br />MRICS<br />Senior Partner, Hughes & Associates Chartered<br />Surveyors.<br />FOR THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY:<br />Mr Jeremy Pike of Counsel Instructed by the Head of Legal Services.<br />He called<br />Kenneth Smith Dip EP Senior Planning Officer, Chelmsford Borough<br />Council.<br />INTERESTED PERSONS:<br />Mr Barrie Lawrence 32 Peartree Close, South Ockenden RM15 6DB.<br />Mr D A Duke 31 Mollands lane, South Ockenden RM15 6DB.<br />Mr Chris Savil 45 Mayflower Close South Ockenden RM15 6HZ.<br />DOCUMENTS<br />1 Proof of Evidence – Mr A E Rees.<br />2 Appendices to Proof of Evidence – Mr A E Rees<br />3 Evidence referred to by Ockenden Concerned Residents Action Group.<br />PLANS<br />A Proposed External Commercial Parking & Storage Area (No. HA/01.91/003).<br />PHOTOGRAPHS<br />1 Copy of A3 size overhead photograph of Bentons Farm House and<br />surrounds.<br />2 to 5 Copy of four A4 sized photographs showing various views of<br />farmyard and buildings.OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-10222240028529934022008-12-02T13:39:00.000-08:002008-12-02T13:57:36.182-08:00NEW UPDATE RE BENTONS FARM<div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">OCKENDON CONCERNED RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">(OCRAG</span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">)</span><br /></strong><br /><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>NEWS UPDATE RE BENTONS FARM</strong></span><br /></em>________________________________<br />OCRAG email: <a href="mailto:ocrag@live.co.uk">ocrag@live.co.uk</a> <a href="http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/">http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Firstly we would like to thank all of the people who submitted letters and emails to the Planning Inspectorate recently to support the enforcement notices served by Thurrock Council on T&S Multiservices. Over 100 of you took the time and the trouble to write individual letters and emails to support our case. OCRAG also submitted a combined letter to the Inspectorate on behalf of all residents.<br /><br />As we explained in our last update letter in August, the whole matter will now be decided by an Inspector appointed by the Planning Inspectorate at a public enquiry. This enquiry will be held on 6th and 7th January 2009 at the Civic Offices in Grays. On the 6th January the enquiry will commence at 10 a.m. finishing around 4 p.m. The start time on 7th January will be determined by the Inspector. An independent barrister and planning expert have been appointed by Thurrock Council to argue the case for the enforcement of their notices.<br /><br />OCRAG have already submitted an official request to the Planning Inspectorate to represent the case for all local residents. Also, all three Ockendon and all three Belhus councillors have expressed a wish to speak on behalf of local voters. We believe that the Inspector may ask at the public enquiry if anybody else wishes to speak, but time constraints may limit the number of people allowed to speak.<br /><br />Obviously the OCRAG Committee members will be there to represent your views but we would urge that as many concerned residents as possible, that can spare the time, should attend the enquiry on 6th and 7th to demonstrate to the Inspector that this is a vitally important issue to local residents. There will be limited amount of transport available for those people wishing to attend but who do not have their own transport and if this is required please use our Freephone number 0800 083 2596 or e-mail </span><a href="mailto:ocrag@live.co.uk"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">ocrag@live.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">.<br /><br />We continue to hold meetings and liaise by e-mail with Thurrock Council and all local councillors to ensure that we are all working to present a united front against T&S Multiservices to have the best possible chance of achieving the result that all local residents want.<br /><br />For anybody wanting further information please contact us on our Freephone number 0800 083 2596 or email </span><a href="mailto:ocrag@live.co.uk"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">ocrag@live.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"> and we shall get back to you.<br /><br />For news updates please refer to the OCRAG blog </span><a href="http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.<br /></strong><br />21st November 2008</span></span></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-89954218284210744082008-09-01T11:14:00.000-07:002009-01-08T13:55:03.784-08:00Asbestos<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Link: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1050955/Britains-youngest-Asbestos-victim-dies-28-Did-contract-school.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1050955/Britains-youngest-Asbestos-victim-dies-28-Did-contract-school.html</span></a></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#993300;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#993300;">Britain's youngest Asbestos victim dies at 28: Did she contract it at school?</span><br /></span><br />By <a class="author" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter">Daily Mail Reporter</a>Last updated at 2:42 PM on 31st August 2008<br /><a class="comments-link" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1050955/Britains-youngest-Asbestos-victim-dies-28-Did-contract-school.html#comments">Comments (17) </a><br /><a class="addstories-link myst-add myst-article-1050955" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1050955/Britains-youngest-Asbestos-victim-dies-28-Did-contract-school.html" rel="1050955_2">Add to My Stories </a><br />The woman who has just become Britain's youngest victim of a rare form of cancer could have contracted the disease at school.<br />Leigh Carlisle, 28, lost her two-year battle against the killer disease mesothelioma on Wednesday.<br />It is believed she must have been exposed to asbestos - almost always the cause of the cancer - as a child.OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-32518358171290447702008-03-07T13:06:00.000-08:002008-03-24T14:02:41.681-07:00DRAF MINUTES 14/02/08 PLANNING COMMITTEE[PDF]<br /><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','3','')" href="http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10876">DRAFT MINUTES of the meeting of Planning Committee held on 14 ...</a><br />File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - <a href="http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:2Kvv-LVA76YJ:democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx%3FDocument%3D10876+ocrag+ockendon&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=uk">View as HTML</a>Mr D Duke, spokesperson and Chairman of Ockendon. Concerned Resident Action Group (OCRAG), addressed the. Committee in objection to the following ...democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10876 - <a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=related:democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx%3FDocument%3D10876">Similar pages</a>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-23453271455586747452008-02-22T14:36:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:32.160-08:00Belhus Landfill SiteTo read this leaflet please click on the top of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHTG4raAwcLxhLhnIhVzF58mJANq_mxEQ0svIsnsdNl9aoITxsQDlOKyPhqxCU_fAuKzDkyFK8fv9fgZq-CCGqTBODHdKO1GYRGCZinSY_DzIPOAnxOU4Ft6JT7REeLKW8mhrhIcp2MNb/s1600-h/Belhus+Lane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHTG4raAwcLxhLhnIhVzF58mJANq_mxEQ0svIsnsdNl9aoITxsQDlOKyPhqxCU_fAuKzDkyFK8fv9fgZq-CCGqTBODHdKO1GYRGCZinSY_DzIPOAnxOU4Ft6JT7REeLKW8mhrhIcp2MNb/s400/Belhus+Lane.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-55856177038166932642008-02-16T16:35:00.000-08:002008-02-18T14:34:42.860-08:00THE GREEN BELT<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="font-size:180%;">THE GREEN BELT IN THURROCK</span><br /><br />Approximately 60% of Thurrock is within the Green Belt.<br /><br />Thurrock Council’s strategic objective is ‘To keep the Green Belt open, and only allow building in the most exceptional circumstances’.<br /><br />In the Council’s document Thurrock Borough Local Plan, chapter 4 : The Green Belt it states –<br />The Council’s approach to maintaining strict control over development is to adopt the normal presumption against any inappropriate development in the Green Belt. (4.3.8)<br /><br />The Council also aims to enhance and improve the natural beauty of the Green Belt, and to increase opportunities for quiet enjoyment of it. (4.3.9) </span></span><br /><p><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">4.4 POLICIES</span><br /><br />GB1 THE GREEN BELT IN THURROCK<br />Within the Green Belt, as shown on the Proposals Map, permission will not be given, except in very special circumstances, for the construction of new buildings or for the change of use of Land or the re-use of existing buildings unless it is for any of the following purposes:<br />(i) Agriculture and forestry (unless permitted development rights have been withdrawn):<br />(ii) Essential facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation, for cemeteries. and for other uses of land which preserve the openness of the Green Belt and which do not conflict with the purposes of including land in it;<br />(iii) Limited extension, alteration or replacement of existing dwellings (subject to other policies in the Plan);<br />(iv) Limited infilling or redevelopment of major developed sites (subject to other policies in the Plan);<br />(v) Mineral extraction.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#006600;"></p></span></span>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-67966692331454745222008-02-14T15:46:00.000-08:002008-02-26T12:04:35.224-08:00PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING<span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">The Planning Committee met at the Civic Offices in Grays tonight, 14th February at 7pm.<br /><br />Our local Councillors, Barrie Lawrence, Amanda Arnold and Charlie Curtis spoke very well and clearly laid out their opposition to the planning application.<br /><br />OCRAG's chairman was allowed to speak for 3 minutes and summarised our main points of objection.<br /><br />A majority of the Planning Committee spoke against the development at Bentons and after some debate they decided to go against the recommendation of the Planning Officer and <em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>refused</strong></span></em></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"> </span>the planning application.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">The grounds on which it was turned down was because "<span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong>it is an inappropriate development in the Green Belt."</strong></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#663366;">Many thanks to all those who came along to give their support. The public gallery was full, with some people standing, which gave the Planning Committee the right impression.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#663366;">Thanks also to those who sent in letters - the large number of objection letters was mentioned.</span>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-39438156021685958212008-02-14T12:50:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:32.987-08:00Victory<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWgAXfSZgJ2h-WBbvJyMVroVy4wYXCyrVAjAIEkTIO8yvRGwUTYxZXQZO8P8meHstfGCLrlaEtFt14EcSf8PS4FR0YZpcMs_-M1pDF-Olb9WFowQZMO7GLuFKqKnEqA8kWUoc3ZmVSWMd/s1600-h/516333_churchill04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166941673564440786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWgAXfSZgJ2h-WBbvJyMVroVy4wYXCyrVAjAIEkTIO8yvRGwUTYxZXQZO8P8meHstfGCLrlaEtFt14EcSf8PS4FR0YZpcMs_-M1pDF-Olb9WFowQZMO7GLuFKqKnEqA8kWUoc3ZmVSWMd/s400/516333_churchill04.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtujYl2r3McFDRUPOOz-Sw14pvVEW6ysAs7e_DGOSbfrPsWYX7Hdnn1oQbDHXcBM8NdGH7Hyv_JI3OpRPeSomZom_7Z6Rtn7QuHXBak4zvv_fL39nrHpbiNKEdI_vGn8aHooPzMblYa5Yr/s1600-h/winston_churchill_victory_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166941475995945154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtujYl2r3McFDRUPOOz-Sw14pvVEW6ysAs7e_DGOSbfrPsWYX7Hdnn1oQbDHXcBM8NdGH7Hyv_JI3OpRPeSomZom_7Z6Rtn7QuHXBak4zvv_fL39nrHpbiNKEdI_vGn8aHooPzMblYa5Yr/s400/winston_churchill_victory_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-38905064680937638752008-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:33.260-08:00Site Visit by Councillors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpIruKBqmxItyzOC4_udCvW9teFs0mtdoDneHkdwC6PQdcL54Sdl5QCtAhpv6DqoKUMjRRrJ0coUelwrecKhtUun137AT_J4FJU7LbimvfeQmSjK0ToQJLWMUP64_fhpZVODy14-zErBd/s1600-h/ocrag1%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166985112863672562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpIruKBqmxItyzOC4_udCvW9teFs0mtdoDneHkdwC6PQdcL54Sdl5QCtAhpv6DqoKUMjRRrJ0coUelwrecKhtUun137AT_J4FJU7LbimvfeQmSjK0ToQJLWMUP64_fhpZVODy14-zErBd/s400/ocrag1%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TVjNDaBK5K5GC4-MCJ6pw-n_SDajk1NgjnYz__wOkzmKChzyUdaI_PCYTnPdbPOFREG1YMh-uvrJwBI5YejWrnzXhmvoSJI4l249WOcHnk0EYvNm3W0QHXQPcNKgKrSzcmFWRvI6I4kS/s1600-h/ocrag2photo2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TVjNDaBK5K5GC4-MCJ6pw-n_SDajk1NgjnYz__wOkzmKChzyUdaI_PCYTnPdbPOFREG1YMh-uvrJwBI5YejWrnzXhmvoSJI4l249WOcHnk0EYvNm3W0QHXQPcNKgKrSzcmFWRvI6I4kS/s400/ocrag2photo2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On Tuesday 29th January Councillors on the Planning Committee visited Bentons Farm for a site visit. They were able to see the great changes made to the site. Over 100 residents stood on the pavement opposite Bentons in a silent protest and to register their opposition to the planning application.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-57587859564924470582008-02-06T15:52:00.000-08:002008-02-08T14:48:35.261-08:00Planning Committee next Thursday 14 FebThe Planning Committee will meet again on Thursday 14th February to make a decision regarding the planning application for change of use of the outbuildings at Bentons Farm.<br />At the previous planning meeting one of the councillors commented on the large number of people in the public gallery. <br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Thursday 14th February 2008 at 7.00pm, at Civic Offices, New Road, Grays.</span></strong> </span><br /><p><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Please come along and support us.</span><br /><br /></span>Draft Minutes new link:<br /><a href="http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10765">http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10765</a></p>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-38143982515315541002008-02-06T13:32:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:33.421-08:00Bentons Farm from the east before August 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQhotNCsn7P_TY_HP3B6vzEAVFa2k28wvxO0Yml8i5cCKc2W67Xgft-W_NaxC6W_nA1eSxq0OyR3eijaqIUUqg5D6u_25Olk_XHs1lVJ-FyamDgXmHqxlqQnHRAtNNiwrbO9p1Mom_CY6/s1600-h/Bentons_Farm_from_east%5B2%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQhotNCsn7P_TY_HP3B6vzEAVFa2k28wvxO0Yml8i5cCKc2W67Xgft-W_NaxC6W_nA1eSxq0OyR3eijaqIUUqg5D6u_25Olk_XHs1lVJ-FyamDgXmHqxlqQnHRAtNNiwrbO9p1Mom_CY6/s400/Bentons_Farm_from_east%5B2%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a> Link: <a href="http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10765">http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10765</a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-3683830891407925742008-02-02T08:07:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:33.577-08:00QUIZ NIGHT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrM-9RLZ90VSNqHM-3tu2lAVNkW45O7TKuyrKnFncokhgegOioNGmDICROSAtBcM0wrAlaz0MU0VHKV8kAZZeibsb416IdRCfsunO0gFk7sW2HG1a4iRnbSI1Wra_Svg5k9UpjqfCv6fa/s1600-h/quiz.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162430039282562434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrM-9RLZ90VSNqHM-3tu2lAVNkW45O7TKuyrKnFncokhgegOioNGmDICROSAtBcM0wrAlaz0MU0VHKV8kAZZeibsb416IdRCfsunO0gFk7sW2HG1a4iRnbSI1Wra_Svg5k9UpjqfCv6fa/s400/quiz.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">QUIZ NIGHT</span><br /></span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Saturday 1st March 2008<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">7.30pm<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993399;">Brandon Groves Community Club<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Teams of 8<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">£3 per person<br /><br />Bar/Raffle/Fun Night<br /><br />Ring <span style="color:#993399;">0800 083 2596</span> TO BOOK TICKETS</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you can’t make a table of 8 let us know we’ll make up the team.</span></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-70645283505536302222008-02-02T06:20:00.000-08:002008-02-06T14:02:03.531-08:00OCRAG Freephone number 0800 083 2596<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#660000;">Please note the new Freephone number for OCRAG<br />Ockendon Concerned Residents’ Action Group</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">0800 083 2596</span><br /></strong></span><a href="http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;"><strong>www.ocrag.blogspot.com</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Email:</span> </strong></span><a href="mailto:ocrag@live.co.uk"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;"><strong>ocrag@live.co.uk</strong></span></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-29868787975041093202008-02-01T13:55:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:33.847-08:00Bentons Farm - Before August 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilES_KBjua2eIfrB2YZ852zdUq3Pqgcu8ZHf1g6UxpGzrSFg2-kTp9URfAWlPloyncDsYEfW6PGZpog7K2ztM-b2pSJ2Eraub-I0nEW7_-G_O0Pz7TcXoFU7C2kH0pyYDlkPy474CB_gK4/s1600-h/New_Bentons_3.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162133931352274178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilES_KBjua2eIfrB2YZ852zdUq3Pqgcu8ZHf1g6UxpGzrSFg2-kTp9URfAWlPloyncDsYEfW6PGZpog7K2ztM-b2pSJ2Eraub-I0nEW7_-G_O0Pz7TcXoFU7C2kH0pyYDlkPy474CB_gK4/s400/New_Bentons_3.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-82681459145166487422008-01-26T22:51:00.000-08:002008-02-05T08:57:50.093-08:00EMERGENCY MEETING<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><strong>OCRAG</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">EMERGENCY MEETING</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Bentons’ Farm<br />Planning Application No. 07/1309/FUL<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Wednesday 23rd January<br />Brandon Groves Hall – 8pm<br /><br /></strong></span>As you know a Planning Application has been submitted for change of use of the barns at Bentons’ Farm. If permission is granted it means that T&S Multiservices will be able to operate their business as they wish and residents will have no opportunity to appeal.<br /><br />So far more than <strong>800+ letters</strong> of objection have been received by the Council but <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Thurrock Council Planning Department have recommended this for approval.<br /></strong></span><br />The document recommending approval is full of inaccuracies and was written 15 days before vital information was submitted by our lawyers and before most of the objection letters were received.<br /><br /><em><strong>This has been called to Planning Committee to be heard on <span style="color:#cc0000;">Thursday 24th January.</span> We were not aware that this was to be heard so soon.<br /><br /></strong></em>This emergency meeting has been arranged at short notice to enable us to meet at the above venue to discuss what action we can take.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Link: <a title="blocked::http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=" href="http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10605">http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10605</a></div><div align="center"><a title="blocked::http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=" href="http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10598">http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=10598</a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-16700203819443908262008-01-26T13:28:00.001-08:002008-12-08T18:44:34.248-08:00Bentons Farm After August 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKbXqjwr8EVhlIcY9nJPlfjZC-0iJqIc_7g9JMDg1OKBrPEukvJsvQmPJON0GaxvGY4dHT0jTT1tkL35PvkoJKfQLDU6ebOsP-_ECNlk_Qq1TyJ-IAYtHxhDw37DuqPj1LkKRNlMbeWVC/s1600-h/041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKbXqjwr8EVhlIcY9nJPlfjZC-0iJqIc_7g9JMDg1OKBrPEukvJsvQmPJON0GaxvGY4dHT0jTT1tkL35PvkoJKfQLDU6ebOsP-_ECNlk_Qq1TyJ-IAYtHxhDw37DuqPj1LkKRNlMbeWVC/s400/041.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-6759347223540584602008-01-26T13:28:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:34.419-08:00Bentons Farm Early Morning 6.30am<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuESz8vZCldIVjo9zMAe5e_MdbHz1AgrKkVekSiFovUBLSMKq9XeXmP55B8xbjIlgMYGOJ5L-DP_xks6BxuUgHjL3gdcb-Uml7LsKIJDukfUo5o0qHgzLydZvaDn1OKhwwnmsy4fTIHsw/s1600-h/028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuESz8vZCldIVjo9zMAe5e_MdbHz1AgrKkVekSiFovUBLSMKq9XeXmP55B8xbjIlgMYGOJ5L-DP_xks6BxuUgHjL3gdcb-Uml7LsKIJDukfUo5o0qHgzLydZvaDn1OKhwwnmsy4fTIHsw/s400/028.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-25088860853283797642008-01-26T13:27:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:34.555-08:00Bentons Farm After August 2007 New Gates<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C7zuK0vTqHzjMpsF7p2saeuvvtdYgLbNoFqicqdtKk04Htzbnm3H9hOd8jeezbDucDo_GGgyxo-xY4cpSbiFuGgTYNJr2mYyt-8KnKHN3ERct21bhVTfReabavCeNZ22laIg6M1Tnttk/s1600-h/container+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C7zuK0vTqHzjMpsF7p2saeuvvtdYgLbNoFqicqdtKk04Htzbnm3H9hOd8jeezbDucDo_GGgyxo-xY4cpSbiFuGgTYNJr2mYyt-8KnKHN3ERct21bhVTfReabavCeNZ22laIg6M1Tnttk/s400/container+027.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-60256614860110903512008-01-26T12:52:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:34.659-08:00Bentons Farm November 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYjBQT7kt4ZQLupVhPwcwzKl2N3wlFJhcF7yb_4X089hyphenhyphenzndsZKe7gX5a5de62E8gzT1UmhQhtPLXvPr4A8fGyjWJpPH23qEHNIOw6DkzOZ-CGNhGJgloL8oy1PBvorqnenvEme_pILc7/s1600-h/044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYjBQT7kt4ZQLupVhPwcwzKl2N3wlFJhcF7yb_4X089hyphenhyphenzndsZKe7gX5a5de62E8gzT1UmhQhtPLXvPr4A8fGyjWJpPH23qEHNIOw6DkzOZ-CGNhGJgloL8oy1PBvorqnenvEme_pILc7/s400/044.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-73945562109334555992008-01-26T12:50:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:34.938-08:00Demolition Van Early Morning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-3Jcw7URziZOfOXZeqoNhbBIBZYXonesBPlJFUyamnfoOdIe6Edsk0DxrBwJvRutf66RpGwJ0CeKiHwla6zsKWH8iN9cNkrt1gjzdaZRlpkXDUK1nUk0_ko2UV-NeybaKIOG6TxMcBwK/s1600-h/PICT0234.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-3Jcw7URziZOfOXZeqoNhbBIBZYXonesBPlJFUyamnfoOdIe6Edsk0DxrBwJvRutf66RpGwJ0CeKiHwla6zsKWH8iN9cNkrt1gjzdaZRlpkXDUK1nUk0_ko2UV-NeybaKIOG6TxMcBwK/s400/PICT0234.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-25298947881247528272008-01-26T12:40:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:35.082-08:00Bentons Farm Recent Photo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrk4HUuCDBFgVF7KYLwzIANDyDHs4809KYpvhPgabiLFRRUuoJVYbyuybH2heolFin48jNwOHXReP5dZ75HHDgNhoMu0JFPVajjXwoxNdjXrmsKWLzS2023JjL5A2WlqCUnG3Rb3d91zGk/s1600-h/041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrk4HUuCDBFgVF7KYLwzIANDyDHs4809KYpvhPgabiLFRRUuoJVYbyuybH2heolFin48jNwOHXReP5dZ75HHDgNhoMu0JFPVajjXwoxNdjXrmsKWLzS2023JjL5A2WlqCUnG3Rb3d91zGk/s400/041.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-66121805752068237502008-01-26T12:30:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:44:35.372-08:00Bentons Farm Large Lorry After August 2007<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5aJfQiWNu600SuEe4DUMwCpBtAtIIW3ant7mHilk7BDnz3mROKnLdXtCdR7u4QnIdWL8kv7WCRwpy4wuYRb939LHb1k4FHEcGpdPC3ywd67MaCaSbzzqSBCIZW27Ccat8yAbGEwekFuL/s1600-h/001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5aJfQiWNu600SuEe4DUMwCpBtAtIIW3ant7mHilk7BDnz3mROKnLdXtCdR7u4QnIdWL8kv7WCRwpy4wuYRb939LHb1k4FHEcGpdPC3ywd67MaCaSbzzqSBCIZW27Ccat8yAbGEwekFuL/s400/001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-80356646744414318732007-12-20T13:41:00.000-08:002008-01-21T14:03:34.287-08:00PLANNING APPLICATION<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">To see the planning application, published on the evening of Thursday 20th December 2007 : </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><p><br />Consultation Details<br /></p><p>Consultation start: 15th December 2007<br />Consultation end: 22th January 2008</span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/planning/development/content.php?page=application_details&module=DC&status=1&location=South%20Ockendon&authority=1&caseno=&pageno=1&details=07/01309/FUL">http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/planning/development/content.php?page=application_details&module=DC&status=1&location=South%20Ockendon&authority=1&caseno=&pageno=1&details=07/01309/FUL</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">You are able to comment on the application on the Thurrock Council website.</span>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856825538442540397.post-21753973832130080042007-12-19T16:18:00.000-08:002007-12-19T16:46:59.551-08:00URGENT NEWS UPDATE<div align="justify"><strong>OCKENDON CONCERNED RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP (OCRAG)<br /><br />URGENT NEWS UPDATE<br /><br />DEVELOPMENT AT BENTONS FARM<br /></strong><br />Since our last note to you in early November, the Committee has been chasing the Council Officers through every means at our disposal, to get answers to a number of issues, some of which remain unanswered, or at the very least, an unsatisfactory response.<br /><br />Despite the earlier meeting with Council Officers, they still fail to adequately answer the most basic of requests. We set out below a number of points which you may find alarming:<br /><br />Q. The Council gave extensive time to submit a Planning Application, what is the current status?</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>A. A PLANNING APPLICATION REF 07/01309/FUL WAS SUBMITTED ON 17/12/2007 FOR A CHANGE TO B1 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USE, WITH 21 DAYS TO OBJECT.</strong><br /><br />Q. What is T&S Multiservices doing on the Bentons Farm site?<br /><br /><strong>A. CONTINUING TO RUN A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS AND ADVERTISING THIS AS BEING THEIR HEAD OFFICE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5 MONTHS.THE COUNCIL SAY “THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS” – WHY?<br /></strong><br />Q. T&S Multiservices continue to park “plant & equipment” on site (including decontamination units, <strong><em>which are being used for removing contaminants, including asbestos)</em></strong> in areas not covered by the original Stop and Enforcement Notices.<br /><br /><strong>A. WE HAVE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO EXPLAIN WHY AND TO EXTEND THE NOTICES TO COVER THE WHOLE OF THE SITE.<br /><br /></strong>Q. Why were T&S Multiservices allowed to fell the trees and rip out the shrubs?<br /><br /><strong>A. THE COUNCIL HAVE NOW CHANGED THEIR VIEW AND ADMIT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED, ESPECIALLY AS THERE WERE CONDITIONS ALREADY IN PLACE APPLICABLE TO THIS SITE, WHICH HAVE BEEN BREACHED.<br />WE HAVE ASKED THE COUNCIL WHEN THIS MATTER WILL BE ENFORCED, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TREES.<br /></strong><br />Please raise the questions posed above with the following officers of the Council: Remember –<br /><br /><strong>THE COUNTIL’S SLOGAN IS “PUTTING RESIDENTS FIRST”. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE THIS IN ACTION? IF YOU WISH TO FORMALLY OBJECT TO THIS APPLICATION, PLEASE WRITE TO THE FOLLOWING QUOTING REF. NO. 07/01309/FUL<br /><br /></strong>Terry Hipsey,<br />Leader of the Council,<br />Thurrock Council,<br />Civic Offices, Grays RM17 6SL<br />Tel: 01375 366321<br /><a href="mailto:thipsey@thurrock.gov.uk">thipsey@thurrock.gov.uk</a> </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Andrew Millard<br />Head of Strategy<br />Thurrock Council,<br />Civic Offices, Grays RM17 6SL </div><div align="justify">Tel: 01375 652652 </div><div align="justify"><a href="mailto:amillard@thurrock.gov.uk">amillard@thurrock.gov.uk</a> </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Paul Clark<br />Principal Planner<br />Thurrock Council,<br />Civic Offices, Grays RM17 6SL<br />Tel: 01375 652273 </div><div align="justify"><a href="mailto:pclark@thurrock.gov.uk">pclark@thurrock.gov.uk</a></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">OCRAG will continue to fight to stop these business operations at Bentons Farm, but we still need your active support. We have engaged a specialist solicitor to advise us with regard to future actions</span>.</span> </div><div align="left"><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ON ANY COMMENTS TO US, PLEASE USE OUR WEBSITE:</span></strong> <a href="http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.ocrag.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>OCRAGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129401809648003443noreply@blogger.com1