Dear STOP! Supporters

STOP! continues to say ‘No’ to the MEGAshed and ‘Go’ to the mixed Business Park

Thank you to all who have sent in messages of congratulations and continuing support following the rejection of the MEGAshed application on 1^st September. These are all greatly appreciated. Also – many, many thanks to those who have sent in donations in support of the Campaign in this crucial run-up period to the Planning Control Committee.

As explained in our last communication, we need to finely tune our expert and legal advice in preparation for that meeting. Do consider donating if you have not done so already.  Please make your cheques payable to StopMegasheds and send to Rectory Cottage, Monxton, Andover SP11 8AH or click here http://www.stopmegasheds.co.uk/Support_STOP/Donations.htm to link to our website for details to donate by bank transfer.  

You will no doubt be aware that another group has now been established which supports the building of the MEGAshed. They have set themselves up to represent the ‘voice of the silent majority’ assuming that silent majority want the MEGAshed.  Well - I can assure you that their activity has in fact increased the flow to our website and the number of people of Andover & District actively contacting us to voice their opposition to the Shed.

Whatever we make of their reasons to support the MEGAshed, we at STOP! are pleased that our activity has prompted a wider debate – and we look forward to engaging with them about the impact of the Shed – maybe in true Presidential style!

To continue to impress on TVBC, Councillors and the wider public, the weight of support for the rejection of the MEGAshed there are three things you can do now:

1.         Send an email to TVBC to say ‘I support the decision by TVBC’s Northern Area Planning Committee to reject the Goodman/Tesco application for the Andover Airfield’ followed by your key reasons for objecting – cumulative negative impact, traffic, noise, pollution, loss of visual amenity, contrary to local plan etc. . Here’s the link to the page where you can submit your message online - http://idoxwam.testvalley.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=Planning&appNumber=07/01951/OUTN . Sometimes this online facility is unavailable. As an alternative, send an email to rtetstall@testvalley.gov.uk  and mwinter@testvalley.gov.uk (copy info@stopmegasheds.co.uk) with ‘I support the rejection of the MEGAshed’ in the subject line with a short summary of your reasons to object with your name and postcode.

2.         Complete the survey on the Andover Town Central website http://www.andover.towncentral.co.uk  to confirm that the MEGAshed will be a nightmare for Andover.

3.         Keep up the debate in the local paper by submitting a letter to the Editor for publication expressing your concerns/objections or adding your comment to the latest news item – Councillors and TVBC Officers do read these as do Goodmans and Tesco – so continue to make your voice heard at http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk

You will also be aware that the Head of Planning and others are continuing to state that costs could be awarded against TVBC if Goodman were in the unlikely event to win an Appeal. We have now had it confirmed from our own research and from a number of experienced experts in this field that as the application was rejected on sound planning grounds this is highly unlikely. Costs to local tax payers are much more likely to go up if the MEGAshed is built due to its impact on the roads and the environment.

The date for the Planning Control Committee meeting at The Lights, Andover has still not been confirmed but we have information that suggests that early December is the most likely with Monday 1^st December a possibility. Put that date in your diary now – and we will update you as soon as we know.

But a date we can confirm is Thursday 30^th October – this is when we will hold our next STOP! Public Meeting when we will update you on the process of the Planning Control Committee meeting and the evidence and legal opinion we are collating. Put that date in your diary - we look forward to seeing you from 7pm at John Hanson School.

Best wishes & thanks in anticipation of your continuing support. See you on 30^th October!
Rhonda

For and on behalf of the
StopMegaSheds Campaign team
http://www.StopMegaSheds.co.uk

PS: Pass this message on to your own e-network – get them to register with us via the website to receive updates direct.