Barleycorn Revelations: 30th October
Environmental Health Officers Recommended Refusal
New documents provided to local resident Stuart Scott following his request for information have revealed that the Council’s Environmental Health Officers had recommended that Blue Chip’s application to convert the Barleycorn into a casino should be refused. They also reveal that Highways had said that more information was required.
The actual minute of the Planning Committee, that first turned down the application in September 2003 states
“DC/03/40495 (Change of use from A3-D2 (Public House to Casino use) – including a two storey extension. The Barleycorn, Bearwood Road, Smethwick) –The Head of Planning and Development Services amended the description of the development to include application DC/03/4729A (Proposed illuminated signs). It was reported that the Head of Highways had now withdrawn his objections. The Head of Planning and Development Services recommended that the applications be approved subject to the addition of a further two conditions in connection with application DC/03/40495. The Committee was however minded to the refuse planning application DC/03/40495 on the grounds of noise and disturbance to local residents late at night, and application DC/03/4729A on the basis that it would be detrimental to residential amenity”.
No mention of Environmental Health’s views at all in the minutes, although the report to the committee (not available on-line) did report the objections. It is also worth noting that the minute does state that Highways had withdrawn their objection. However, copies of memos from them do not reveal any objection, but state “further information required”.
I fear that we haven’t got to the bottom of this one yet.
Shrouds of Secrecy at the Gambling Commission – anyone would think we were dealing with MI 6, but Blue Chip have applied for consent
It now transpires that Blue Chip have applied to the Gambling Commission for consent to operate a casino at the Barleycorn. It seems that they applied under the 1968 Act, before the Planning Inspectorate gave planning permission.
The Gambling Commission had previously refused to comment on if an application had been received, but we are now told that Blue Chip have agreed that this information could be revealed following representations made to Richard Caborn M.P., Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. In a letter to John Spellar M.P., Richard Caborn states:
"The Commission has confirmed that it has received an application for a certificate of Consent for a casino at the premises of The Barleycorn Public House. The application was made under the Gambling Act 1968 and the Commission is currently reviewing the documentation received from the company in order to determine whether they consider the company to be fit and proper to operate a casino."
Should the Commission grant consent, Blue Chip would still need to apply for a licence. We will need to keep a careful eye on how this develops, especially if applications for casinos are to be treated like state secrets.
There are some transitional arrangements guidelines between the old and new legislation on gambling that I’ve found and included in “Documents”, that make interesting reading.
Planning Inspectorate confirm the number of households written to and responces
This is their response to my enquiry
“As is required by the appeal regulations the local planning authority wrote to local residents on 16 February giving them the opportunity to comment on the proposals. A copy of the letter is on file along with a list of the 433 names and addresses of residents so notified. The reference to almost 400 in our letter to John Spellar was a broad estimate - the precise number did not seem important in the context of the general point we were making.
19 written representations were received in response to the appeal; 6
by letter, 2 by e-mail and 11 via the website (including yours of 27
March).”
I still don’t know where the 433 households were. Can anyone remember being written to?
Mr Angry from Bearwood writes to the Chronicle
Mr Angry from Bearwood (a.k.a Stuart Scott of Marlborough Road) secured letter of the week in last week’s Chronicle. In his letter he says:
“Despite overwhelming objections from the residents of Bearwood the recent ruling in favour of Blue Chip is an obvious miscarriage of natural justice.
Once again the monetary power of large corporations has totally abused the concerns, fears and dangers raised by residents.
The Planning Inspectorate’s report clearly demonstrates the disdain shown towards the people of north Bearwood.
How sickening when overwhelming local, democratic opinion runs so strongly against something and it is contemptuously stamped on from so high.
How can some faceless bureaucrat, with no interest in our area whatsoever, make such a decision without holding the opinions of those who live here paramount?
No wonder people are apathetic about local, national and international politics.
All this verdict proves is that the planning policies and system are stacked against the interests of residents and communities. Local people all hate the idea. The local MP hates the idea. The local council hates the idea and unanimously turned planning permission down.
Blue Chip may well now wish to consider, despite their victory, whether given the strength of local opposition they really want to proceed at the Barleycorn site”.
It is sad but true that incidents like the Barleycorn saga do bring the whole democratic process into disrepute, with people feeling that there is gross unfairness of big money, and faceless bureaucrats riding roughshod over the best interests of local communities. This is why we must keep up the pressure, to exert our views locally and let the Planning Inspectorate and Blue Chip know that we are not prepared to be trampled on, and we will put up a fight.
Planning Inspectorate say almost 400 residents notified about the appeal by the Council and that approximatly 20 responses were submitted to them!!!
This is from a letter from them to John Spellar M.P.
I would have thought that they could have been a bit more precise about how many responses they had received, so I’ve asked them to provide this information. I’m surprised at the number because it’s a lot less than the letters and e-mails that I received supporting the motion to Sandwell Council.
I’ve also asked them what evidence they have that almost 400 residents were notified. Were you notified – I’d like to hear.
"Council Outraged by Planning Inspectorate's Decision"
Sandwell Council resolved at its meeting last night (25th July) that it is outraged at the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to allow an all night casino at the Barleycorn.
The Council will now challenge the decision and the process through which it was made through all reasonable means.
The next stage of the battle starts from here.
I would like to thank everyone who has written to me in support of the motion to the Council. I will write directly to you with thanks over the next few days.
New Deal for Faceless Bureaucrats Lording It over the Masses
No public hearing…… No date of site visit……. Never mind local communities at the heart of planning……. Never mind local democracy
His name is Simon Rawle BA (Hons) Dip TP MRTPI Solicitor, and his views seem to be worth more than ours when it comes to determining what is best for our local community.
He is a Planning Inspector. His office address is:
The Planning Inspectorate
4/11 Eagle Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN
The phone number given is 0117 372 6372
He is the man who has given permission for the Barleycorn to be converted into a casino operating through to six in the morning.
The local community asked for a hearing so that local people could express their concerns. He denied local people that opportunity, even though guidance from the Planning Inspectorate suggests that complicated and controversial appeals should be the subject of an inquiry. What’s worse is that the Planning Inspectorate didn’t even bother to reply to these requests. They couldn’t even be bothered to write back and say “NO”. Who the hell do they think they are - faceless civil servants being paid for out of our pockets, that’s who they are. He says in his decision letter “I also note that there were representations made that this case should be dealt with at a public inquiry. However, I can confirm that all the issues raised in the written representations have been fully taken into account and have been given as much weight as if they had been made in person at an Inquiry”. Drivel – where’s the challenge to Blue Chip Casino’s assertion on a case that was not presented to the Council’s Planning Committee, that there will be a need for a casino in future years. What does he take us for?
What’s next in the case for open and transparent argument – don’t try people in court – just have written representations?
We feel that the bottom line is that the local community have been treated with utter contempt - disgraceful.
In Bearwood, the credibility of the planning system is now in tatters.
But, we are not beaten yet. Now its time for some serious questions for Government Ministers. Our M.P. John Spellar is already on the case.
Never mind the latest policies on “New Deal for Neighbourhoods”, what about “New Deal for Faceless Bureaucrats Lording It over the Masses”