Simon BTFC Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 Well I'll come out and say I'm supporting the scheme - only because none of the alternatives appeal. As I see it there are 3 alternatives: 1) Stay at New Lodge. Admit that we have gone as far as we can up through the leagues. Slowly turn into Harrow or Hendon who have been in this division for donkey's years with dwindling support and financial difficulties. In league terms 1st place would be just as good as 1 above relegation. 2) Another site in Billericay. The two that have been suggested are Hannikin's farm and Lake Meadows. Both of these suffer from the same problems as New Lodge - space and access. Hannikins farm is in Greenbelt land so it would be difficult to build on and the area of Lake Meadows I assume people are referring to - the swimming pool - is currently occupied by the pool. 3) Another site in Basildon (or other local town outside Billericay). Would not appease the likes of Neil who (correct me if I'm wrong) are opposing the move on the grounds that Billericay should stay in Billericay. mobrien suggests a few sites - all of which are already earmarked for development in the local plan and are unavailable to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 I am sorry to keep going on but Nitetime neil every voice that opposes the move makes it less likely to happen and therefore everyone must speak up or they will say nobody stood up and complained and therefore there are no objections STAND UPAND BE COUNTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. SIMON BTFC You are looking through a tunnel! you must be aware that this site is less acceptable than Lake Meadows or Hannikens, Green belt land is regularly built on and maybe difficult but not impossible. just drive through Billericay and see the empty land around the town.Billericay's economy need a development like this in the the area not outside it. What arrogance, the managment of BTFC are leading you around by the nose like a prize bull, Barleylands and many many more sites would be more suitable but Stadia see better access on the A127 and think " cheap land" ££££££££££££££'s nothing else but £££££££££££'s I challenge anyone at the club or supporters group answer the question. What is the contingency, Do not dare say there is not one as that can not be believed. To say there is not one would indicate total incompetance on behalf of the management. There is no management team in the world that would enter in to such a high risk venture without protection. If you can put your hand on your heart and say there is not one then you are a liar or not considered worthy of inclusion in the plans. Are the people of Billericay thick? I think not. Call your self supporters you are selling your club and town. Judas Town FC 30 pieces of Basildon silver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 Mr Moore, Mr Turner, BTFC, BTSA and anyone else interested we now have has more hits on this subject than you have at some home games, bearing this in mind do you think it is now time for a proper consultation. I DARE YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon BTFC Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 <blockquote><font class="small">Quote mobrien:</font><hr /> SIMON BTFC You are looking through a tunnel! you must be aware that this site is less acceptable than Lake Meadows or Hannikens, Green belt land is regularly built on and maybe difficult but not impossible. just drive through Billericay and see the empty land around the town.Billericay's economy need a development like this in the the area not outside it. What arrogance, the managment of BTFC are leading you around by the nose like a prize bull, Barleylands and many many more sites would be more suitable but Stadia see better access on the A127 and think " cheap land" ££££££££££££££'s nothing else but £££££££££££'s <hr></blockquote> Given that you've yet to give a reason why Gloucester Park is less acceptable than either of the two sites mentioned given that for the reasons stated ie access, land in use and Greenbelt the two sites are unsuitable. there is not 1 example of Greenbelt land being opened up in the district for a development like this. The tennis club were refused permission to build their indoor practise facility for this reason - a much smaller development than the one we planned. You claim to want to save the club money by avoiding legal fees in a consultation but trying to build on Greenbelt would be far more expensive - look at what has happened to chelmsford at boreham. Your alternative suggestions are becoming more and more ludicrous - Barleylands!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't make me laugh - it is privately owned farm slap bang in the middle of the greenbelt. You say they looked at the site and saw "easy access" well obviously. Access is the major problem at new lodge as it would be the major problem at pretty much any site in Billericay. You're quick and easy with your challenges mobrien, well here is one for you. Name an alternative site. It must have good access - for pedestrians and cars Not in greenbelt (unless you can show examples of Greenbelt land being opened up in Essex for this kind of development) It must be in Billericay or surrounding area (since you think 50% of the support will leave) It must have sufficient space for a Conference stadium The land must be "sport and leisure" use in the local plan - given that the Essex development plan is to build as many houses as possible in Basildon district we would be unable to get a change of use through. Land Owned by the Council. Believe it or not there is little desire to own the land - as with new Lodge - to avoid an "Enfield" type situation where the owner of the club sells the ground for his own benefit. You say there are plenty of alternatives but you have yet to name a credible one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
&yB Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 So Mr O’Brien is trying to go for the largest number of hits against a thread on this forum (448 at time of writing). Presumably he’ll mention this in his next letter to the Echo. Damn, just by adding this posting it guarantees another 60 or so hits from all us Townies-in-cyberland who read anything written about the club to keep up with the mood of opinion whether we agree with it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 Simon BTFC I have not got the resources or the knowledge to promise every suggestion I make will be a good one as I am not a propert developer and donot have access to titles and deeds before I make a suggestion. I do think however the club have but failed to use them properly. In the best spirit of a challenge I have said my piece so I feel I have to at least try to rise to it, I will shortly make some suggestions they may be of the wall but I will give it a go. watch this space. (1) I may be wrong but I think Barleylands already lease a substantial piece of land to Forest Glade FC who I believe are hoping to develop the site. If that is the case could the club not look at joining some form of alliance with them and developing something benefitial to both. Might be a load of old Bo*?/ox but has it been considered. &yB I was just proving the point that this is of importance. I am not concerned howmany read the post it is the quality of the reader that counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon BTFC Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 If you're not a planning expert perhaps you could avoid making sweeping statements such as "Green belt land is regularly built on" without being able in any way to substantiate your claims. I am also not a planning expert (although I have been taking more interest in planning matters in recent months for obvious reasons) nor are Rod Moore or John Stacey or indeed most of the district councillors. However the site was not chosen as part of some plan cooked up by the directors and the county - people who ARE planning experts have been fully consulted about available sites. These include the planning departments at both district and (I believe) council level as well as third party consultants (if memory serves the former head of planning for Sutton was mentioned at the last fans forum). I would venture to suggest that BTFC are more clued up than most about the difficulties encountered in this kind of venture having watched the problems that our tennants have had. Your suggestion of the barleylands / forest Glade site is not a bad one, you are right that they lease the land (I believe from the council) and they have been granted planning permission for development. However this development is limited to building a clubhouse - changing rooms etc - as a replacement for the collection of caravans and so on that they have at the moment (or had - I havn't been down there for a while). I would imagine that in time they could reach the level of Great Wakering's stadium at best but certainly not a 6,000 capacity conference graded ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon BTFC Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 If people are interested in finding out more about planning in general and Basildon specifically then the BDC website www.basildon.gov.uk has a large section devoted to the subject. Had a read through the "key issues report" from the local plan consultation - one of the recurring themes was the limited availability of sites for any kind of development in the district. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 Fair point my knowledge is limited but I am not stupid and I do know Green Belt land has been built on for years, as for barleylands what is a stadium but changing rooms clubhouse etc. I am looking into more sites and I will suggest more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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