Response to Charlie Ellingworth from Robin Bastable

Response to CE from Robin Bastable.

From: Robin Bastable

Date: 29 July 2020 at 19:27:34 CEST

To: Charlie Ellingworth

Subject: Re:  Yarlington Lodge

  Dear Mr Ellingworth

 Thank you for your email and the views you express, yes I myself asked at the pre meeting what was local opinion to this and yes we were given to understand that generally they were in favour.

 I will follow up on your directions to try and ascertain local feelings on this proposal.

 I do take issue with your opinion that all the Newts plans get nodded through, the Area East Committee in my opinion is reasonable and try and do the right thing for all residents and you also have to take into account that these projects do give employment to local people, not only contractors but employees at the venues and Rural Somerset as a whole is a relatively low income area.

 Your other point about low-cost housing in the area is a valid one but that is not solely down to the Newt, the developments in Bruton started this rise in house prices in the area and recent press reports that Bruton is the new Notting Hill does not help, we could discuss this for hours but councils do no longer build affordable housing in the rural areas I’m afraid.

 If feeling is so strong in Yarlington may I suggest that you encourage as many people as possible to attend the meeting where this application is discussed with the caveat that please do not have everyone repeating the same points non stop you will loose impact, spread the points or even just say I support previous speakers, this will show local feeling and come across much better.

 If you wish to discuss any other points please do not hesitate to contact me again.

 Regards 

 Robin Bastable  

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