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Council donates £10k to Pyestock fight fund
By Stephen LloydNovember 13, 2009
A CAMPAIGN group branded ineffective by a Conservative town councillor has been given £10,000 of public money.
Hart District Council’s influential cabinet has handed the cash to SPLAT (Stop Pyestock bLot Act Today) to help it fight controversial plans for a massive warehouse between Fleet and Farnborough.
An independent planning inspector recommended the 1.3 million sq ft Pyestock mega-depot be rejected because it would adversely affect the strategic gap.
But Lord McKenzie, a new junior minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government, over-ruled the decision, saying job opportunities outweighed the disadvantages.
Hart has decided not to appeal the decision, instead leaving SPLAT to mount a High Court challenge.
Last Thursday, the council’s cabinet agreed to a community grant of up to £10,000 to help SPLAT fight the case.
Moving the decision to give support, Conservative council leader Ken Crookes said: “SPLAT has done a great job so far and we will do what we can to support their continuing challenge.”
Cllr Stephen Parker, deputy leader of the Conservative group on Hart whose Fleet North ward covers the Pyestock site, was pleased the proposal had the full support of all cabinet members.
“I am delighted that Hart is providing support to SPLAT, not just in funding but also practical help from officers,” he added.
“This gives SPLAT and the community of Hart the best possible opportunity for good sense to prevail over the catastrophic decision of an inexperienced junior minister.”
Hart’s full council had already backed a motion to give as much support to SPLAT as possible.
Cllr David Simpson, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Hart, welcomed the cabinet decision to give financial help.
“This is good news and I am pleased that our motion helped the Tories come to that decision,” he said.
“Hopefully the council will now work with SPLAT to get the best for this area.
“In view of the impact this will have on Farnborough perhaps Rushmoor Borough Council will also provide help if needed.”
David Healey, Conservative councillor for Fleet Pondtail ward, attended the cabinet meeting but was asked to leave during the grant debate as he is a leading member of SPLAT.
But he said after the meeting: “I am delighted with this gesture and I am still very pleased that the whole council has seen fit to support SPLAT.”
Conservative Yateley town councillor Edward Dawson also attended the cabinet meeting.
He had branded SPLAT ineffective during a town council meeting and criticised the Liberal Democrats for giving it public money to fight the case.
But he chose the cabinet meeting to publicly withdrew his comment.
“My comment about the effectiveness of the SPLAT group had been deemed to be an insult, and had caused them to be offended,” he told the News & Mail.
“It was not my purpose to offend them or anyone else, so I withdrew the comment.
“The cabinet meeting provided a public opportunity to do this quickly and I did.
“I did not offer any advice to the cabinet on the matter of providing a grant, which was for them to decide.”
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