Gaswork: the fracking film >>> showing in Lyme Regis >>> Saturday 5th December

Where to go with fracking?
Futures Forum: Fracking... and the strange death of Localism?
Futures Forum: Fracking and declining profitability
Futures Forum: Fracking: kick-starting the shale gas revolution when local planners prove obstructive
Futures Forum: Peak coal > peak shale oil > peak gas >>> peak fossil fuels

A very controversial documentary has just come out on the subject:



“GASWORK” film: FRACKING's Killing many Workers! Josh Fox - Chris Hayes - YouTube



Gaswork - A New Film By Josh Fox
Gasland 2: A film by Josh Fox - NOW on HBO
What the Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know About Fracking | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community

In fact, the film is so controversial, that an 'anti-Gaswork' film has been put out to counter its arguments:
"Gaswork": Josh Fox’s Latest Film Called a Hoax
gashoax | gasland | gaswork | fracking dangers | documentary
Another Health Hoax from Gasland's Josh Fox - Breitbart
Phelim McAleer to Release GasHoax Ahead of Josh Fox’s GASWORK | Marcellus Drilling News

Here is a note from Tracey Green of the transition town organisation Turn Lyme Regis Green which will be showing the original film this Saturday:


GASWORK – Saturday 5th December, 7 for 7.30pm, Woodmead Halls

The chance to see GASWORK, a documentary about the practice of fracking, is coming up this Saturday. An opportunity to learn more and join the debate. There is no charge to see the film; donations towards the cost of the evening and refreshments would be welcomed. So please spread the word and bring friends along. Tracey West has written the following note about the evening.

from Tracey……

“ Dear Turn Lyme Green Friends,

Hope this finds you well. I just wanted to drop you a short note to explain why I felt motivated to organise it in the first place.

In case you're not familiar with the film, it's a punchy little documentary that explores many facets of the practice of fracking. It was created by Josh Fox and follows Charlotte Bevins as she fi­ghts for CJ’s Law, a bill to protect workers named after her brother CJ Bevins, who died on an unsafe drilling site.

Josh investigates worker safety and chemical risk, interviewing many workers who have been asked to clean drill sites, transport radioactive and carcinogenic chemicals, steam clean the inside of condensate tanks which contain harmful volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other chemicals and have been told to do so with no safety equipment.

It explores a very dark side of this volatile industry and when I watched it, I felt a wave of helplessness flood through me, which was swiftly followed by a rush of optimism. Education and people power holds the key to great change and I have faith that GASWORK could be part of the solution.

I'm no superwoman, I'm a mum, I run a small business here in Lyme and I consider myself to be a regular everyday gal who likes to lean towards the green. I do my level best to keep a finger on the pulse of what's happening on the environmental scene, but like many of you, I'm busy getting on with the things that do such a great job of occupying our time; work, family and life!

I sincerely hope you'll be able to add the free screening of GASWORK to your calendar and that you'll join us in Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. I hope to kick off a bit of a discussion after the film - we'll be serving organic refreshments for a donation.

Finally, huge thanks to the team at Turn Lyme Green for sponsoring and helping to promote the event - I hope to see you there and please, feel free to bring friends! ”

Tracey West

turnlymegreen.co.uk
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Empty Homes Week: there are 60,000 people in temporary accommodation: there are 600,000 empty homes

A month ago, Simon Jenkins pointed to several myths about the 'housing crisis':

3 That there is a national “need” for 250,000 new houses a year. 
For decades this has been Whitehall’s meaningless concept of “household formation”, taking no account of regional preference, propensity to move home, house prices or cost of finance. 
Housing need implies homelessness. It should refer to the 60,000 people currently in temporary accommodation, who ought to be the chief focus of policy attention. All else is “demand”.

Crisis, what housing crisis? We just need fresh thinking | Simon Jenkins | Comment is free | The Guardian
Futures Forum: Housing myths and housing numbers

In other words, there is not a 'shortage' of housing:
Futures Forum: Housing numbers in East Devon
Futures Forum: Housing crisis in East Devon - what housing crisis? ... "Evidence for a housing shortage is hard to come by."

The issue of empty houses has been with us for some time:
Futures Forum: Tens of thousands of empty houses in the West Country is "a scandal"

This week is 'empty homes week':
Homes From Empty Homes » Empty Homes Week 2015
Why are so many British homes empty? - BBC News
“Why are so many British homes empty?” | East Devon Watch

And the District Council has announced its new Empty Homes Plan
30 November 2015 - East Devon supports Empty Homes Week 2015 - East Devon

As reported by the Homes from Empty Homes campaigning group:

During Empty Homes Week, East Devon District council is highlighting its new Empty Homes Plan. The plan will act as a guide for how the council’s Private Sector Housing team will help owners of long term neglected empty properties bring them back into use over the next four years. The plan will work towards the rehabilitation of the 467 long term empty properties that currently exist in East Devon. In the past year, the council has successfully restored 25 properties into use.

The Private Sector Housing Service is currently investigating 35 cases of unoccupied homes, many of which are in serious disrepair due to abandonment and neglect. The council encourages the owners of such buildings to take action by putting them in touch with the various agencies and developers who are involved in property renovation so that they can eventually sell or let their property.

Identifying empty homes can be a challenge, and the council hopes that Empty Homes Week will encourage people to report empty properties to its officers, as the council has found that public support can help speed up the process of bringing empty homes back into use. The council also aims to make sure that the owners of empty properties have access to useful information and advice about restoring their homes.

Homes From Empty Homes » Empty Homes Week 2015

There are ways to tackle this problem, some more politically tricky than others:
Futures Forum: East Devon: taxing second homes
Futures Forum: Toxteth and Turner: "It has taken the Turner prize to highlight that there is an alternative to replacing low-income housing with expensive flats."

There are some very enterprising and practical projects out there:
Futures Forum: Abolish Empty Office Blocks (AEOB: House People) awarded funding for project
Futures Forum: Housing: Made in Bristol

The Big Issue, the magazine on sale on the streets, looks at the obvious solution: 

HOW TO RESCUE AN EMPTY HOUSE

FEATURES

ADAM FORREST NOV 30, 2015

SHARE ON PRINTSHARE ON EMAILSHARE ON STUMBLEUPONSHARE ON TWITTERMORE SHARING SERVICES

Small, community-led organisations are leading the fight to turn derelict buildings back into homes for families

Waiting for government or big institutions to do things for you can be frustrating at best, futile at worst. Ordinary people getting together and rolling their sleeves up is often the best way to bring about change.

Since we launched our Fill ’Em Up campaign last month, readers have informed us about the inspiring community work going on to rescue empty buildings in their neighbourhoods. In fact, local knowledge and local passion is exactly why community-led projects have been at the forefront of the most inspiring work on empty homes.

There remain 10 empty homes for every one homeless family in EnglandThere remain 10 empty homes for every one homeless family in England. It’s a disparity that motivates the work of a small charitable organisation in Yorkshire called Latch (Leeds Action to Create Homes), which now has 25 years of experience refurbishing derelict houses in the city.

Latch started back in 1989 when a group of homeless men formed a collective to renovate an empty building in the rundown area of Chapeltown, then lived in it together. Leeds City Council was impressed enough to lease them two more properties to renovate.

“The original insight was that there were lots of empty properties and lots of homeless people, and why can’t we try to do something about that?” says James Hartley, chief executive of Latch. “We’ve professionalised since then but the mission is the same: let’s do something to provide more homes for homeless people.” Latch – now a community benefit society (volunteers pictured) – has 64 properties it rents out to homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.

The organisation has been at its busiest in the past three years, thanks to the UK government’s Empty Homes Programme (EHP), which set aside £60m for community-led groups. Around £900,000 from the EHP fund helped Latch buy, do up and rent out 25 terraced homes (15 houses were brought back into use from the fund, which enabled Latch to secure loans for another 10 properties).

“It’s been a good period for us,” says Hartley. “But it’s still difficult to get our hands on empty properties at the right price, because owners have strange desires. They can hold onto the idea a property should be worth a lot, and that the housing market will turn for them in future.”

TAKING ACTION TO SAVE HOMES

• A small two-bedroom terraced house in Nowell Crescent in the Harehills area of Leeds, had been empty for several years. It had been used as a drug squat for a period, so by the time it came to the attention of Latch (Leeds Action on Empty Homes) it was in really bad condition. Plumbing and heating systems had been stripped, stolen for scrap, and flooding had damaged the ground floor and cellar.
  Latch bought the property from the absent owner for £52,000, and spent another £30,000 on structural repairs and the fitting of a new kitchen, bathroom and heating system. Once all the decorating had been done, it was let out by Latch to a young family on the housing waiting list – a family at risk of homelessness.
  The house had become a home once again.

Hartley says it has cost Latch £105,000, on average, to bring each home back into use – around £70,000 to buy a derelict property, £20,000 on refurbishing and £15,000 for overheads (the cost of managing the whole process and getting tenants in).

“We did buy one house for £40,000 but I think we spent as much as £35,000 refurbishing that one. It can be a lot of work.”

Jon Fitzmaurice, director of Self Help Housing, thinks Latch and around 100 other small charities, social enterprises and community land trusts have made brilliant use of the three-year government fund, which sadly ended earlier this year. Nearly 1,500 homes were brought back into use. It was unprecedented for small groups – none of them registered housing providers – to be given money and encouragement.

“It’s been a great success,” he says. “These guys have the local knowledge, the enterprise to make things happen, and now have a track record of getting value for money.”

Fitzmaurice remains frustrated that councils and big housing associations have been sluggish about carrying on the same work. “Unfortunately some mainstream providers have become risk averse,” he explains. “They don’t want to get involved in renovating homes in empty streets because it’s messy, it’s hassle.

What’s needed now is some more capital funding from government for a further programme“We know there are organisations with the innovation and imagination,” he adds. “What’s needed now is some more capital funding from government for a further programme. Many of the small groups and projects are still viable – they’ve often been able to borrow on the back of what they’ve already done. But the work is plateauing now, unfortunately, at a time when we really need to be doing more.”

Some local authorities have engaged: 13 of Latch’s empty properties were leased to them for nothing by Leeds City Council. Stoke’s housing department has been active too, offering prospective homeowners derelict council properties for £1 and creating a loan scheme for their refurbishment.

But some local authorities, particularly those in the north of England, are holding onto the same unrealistic expectations as private owners, imagining lucrative future development deals will arrive soon to transform their fortunes. They remain far too content to leave great swathes of neighbourhoods boarded up in the meantime. It’s a terrible waste. The lesson from the community groups’ renovation revolution is simple: if you can’t use them, hand them over to those who can.

Join Fill 'Em Up, our Empty Buildings Campaign

The Big Issue believes empty buildings offer a great chance to increase housing supply. We want to see the following:

• More support and funding for community-led empty homes projects.

• More public bodies engaging with community projects ready and willing to make the most of empty buildings.

• More homeless people getting the chance to work on refurbishment projects.

Britain also needs new ideas. Please get in touch and tell us your own suggestions for transforming empty buildings in your town or city. Contact editorial@bigsissue.com or tweet @bigissue

How to rescue an empty house | Big Issue
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Mill Street car park: proposals for 'managing the remaining car parking spaces as a public pay and display car park.'

There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing over 'what to do about' the Mill Street car park:
Futures Forum: Mill Street Blues
Futures Forum: Proposals for Mill Street - Port Royal - Neighbourhood Plan

The District Council's Cabinet will consider a lengthy report tomorrow:

Sidmouth Mill Street car park 

Purpose of report: 
To consider a proposal to manage 36 un-let parking spaces in Sidmouth’s Mill Street car park for public pay and display car parking and to seek Members’ views on the long term future of this site. 

Recommendation: 
To take the necessary steps to revise the East Devon Parking Places Order and to task the Council’s in-house team with managing the remaining car parking spaces as a public pay and display car park.

eastdevon.gov.uk/media/1395571/021215-combined-cab-agenda.pdf

The Sidmouth Herald has covered the meeting on-line:

‘Partner’ for Mill Street?

16:30 02 December 2015

When Mill Street Car Park was almost completely empty

Mill Street’s 36 town centre parking spaces could be brought back into use for all if district chiefs back proposals for it to be managed on a pay and display basis.

East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) cabinet will consider bringing in a commercial partner to run the facility when it meets on Wednesday.

The review comes after more than 50 residents and businesspeople united in support of bringing the spaces, currently for permit holders only, back into wider use. EDDC is considering developing the site for affordable housing.

A report to cabinet says that EDDC could manage a pay and display car park itself, but the process would likely take too long to get it open in time for Christmas. Bringing in an external partner to manage it using number plate recognition technology would save the council £10,000 in legal work, consultation and advertising costs needed to vary its parking regulations. Revenue would be split 50-50 between EDDC and the external contractor – a move intended to avoid ‘incentivising over-zealous enforcement’ that could damage the council’s reputation.

EDDC reviewed the previous system of permits because it found that some spaces were being used by second home owners - while other had changed hands unofficially. The council trebled the annual cost of a permit for Mill Street or Holmdale to £1,800. When it sold only 22 out of a possible 58 permits, it suggested that Mill Street could be developed for affordable housing.

EDDC is still considering developing the site, but says it will continue to offer sufficient reserved car parking spaces at Mill Street and Holmdale to meet the needs of its existing customers.

‘Partner’ for Mill Street? - News - Sidmouth Herald

The East Devon Watch blog comments:

MILL STREET CAR PARK – EDDC MUDDIES THE FUDGE!

2 DEC 2015

Can anyone work out what the future of Mill Street from this article below? Is it a car park? Is it a development site? And why does EDDC need a ” partner” on this one site?

Mill Street car park – EDDC muddies the fudge! | East Devon Watch
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Knowle relocation project >>> Pegasus plans in full >>> "At £400K per apartment, Pegasus is in line for a £40m bonanza."

There has been a lot of comment about the proposals for Knowle - most of it not very favourable:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project >>> Pegasus plans in full >>> "They are planning over 120 dwellings on the site, whereas the emerging Local Plan proposes only 50."
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project >>> Pegasus plans in full >>> "very imposing and brutal"

This is the latest observation received from a commentator about the situation the District Council's planning cttee (or Development Management Committee) might well find itself in:

At £400K per apartment, Pegasus is in line for a £40m bonanza.

And if this planning application fails they can always put in another and again. 

In other words they have the DMC over a barrel.

However, things have not been plain-sailing for Pegasus:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: Pegasus as preferred bidder... However, its proposals for ‘one of the finest coastal properties’ in South Devon have been rejected by Dawlish Town Council 'on the grounds of overdevelopment'.

Another observer has pointed out other developments proposed by Pegasus:

> The Wilmslow project on former Council land is for large-density blocks - but has been refused on grounds of over development:
Chapelwood, Wilmslow | PegasusLife Portfolio
Local Plan: Proposed sites for future development revealed - wilmslow.co.uk
Decision on plan for retirement apartments put back - wilmslow.co.uk

> The proposals for development in Harpenden have been rejected due to the height of the blocks, the closeness to neighbours and inadequate parking:
New properties for sale in Harpenden by PegasusLife
Harpenden Society - Spring 2015
Bid to redevelop derelict Harpenden building looks set to be rejected - News - Herts Advertiser
Developer likely to appeal over rejection of Harpenden retirement home plan - News - Herts Advertiser

> A planning application in Bristol is pending: the Bristol Civic Society and Council Officers recommended refusal due to excessive bulk and massing; and that the project does not relate to the surrounding area of high local significance:
Bristol, Central - PegasusLife
Bristol Civic Society - Nuffield Hospital
Bristol Urban Design Forum | Nuffield Hospital (St Marys), Upper Byron Place, Clifton
Pegasuslife: some interesting planning application comments | East Devon Watch

> The Sutton Coldfield plans were originally passed for tower blocks with 240 apartments; however, the plans have fallen through, ostensibly because the developer is occupied with other sites - and so the site is now up for sale:
Tower block plans unveiled for new retirement homes in Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield | Sutton Coldfield Observer
Sutton Coldfield care village plans approved - Birmingham Post
Collapse of Brassington Avenue retirement home plans in Sutton Coldfield confirmed | Sutton Coldfield Observer
Plans for Pegasus retirement tower blocks fall through in Sutton Coldfield because PegasusLife is “too busy” | East Devon Watch

> And at South East Green contractors recently smashed a hallowed statue of the Virgin Mary which they said would be saved;
Hampstead Green, London | PegasusLife Portfolio
Virgin Mary statue seen lying face down in rubble despite assurances it would be saved | Camden New Journal
Pegasuslife smashes statue it promised to save in Hampstead | East Devon Watch

This is the press release from Save Our Sidmouth:


Response to first Pegasus Life Exhibition (Nov 2015) on plans for Knowle

December 1, 2015

Text of statement sent to Sidmouth Herald by SOS Chair Richard Thurlow, who is also Chair of Conservation and Planning for the Sid Vale Association (SVA):

‘Pegasus Life are conducting a charm offensive to win over the hearts of the residents of Sidmouth. In doing so they are clearly streets ahead of EDDC’s dictatorial approach. The SVA’s disagreement is with the latter and their removal of 400 good jobs from a defined employment area, and not as yet with EDDC’s chosen candidate for development.

The Exhibition focused almost wholly on the Knowle parkland, and the external surroundings of their large development. Whilst we appreciate their apparent wish to involve the Sidmouth public in this, the parkland, will in any event remain in public hands. It is to be hoped though that Pegasus, should their application succeed, will contribute to its improvement and maintenance.

There was minimal space in the exhibition which gave an indication of size, styles and massing of the buildings they plan. Whilst appreciating their wish to minimise their plans in advance of their planning application we feel it is a pity that they have not been more open with these aspects, which, bearing in mind that they must submit an application by March next year, must be well advanced.

Little could be seen from the display that illustrated their thinking on the buildings, but what could be seen showed that the two separately defined areas on the development (the Plateau and the Dell) did not appear to have any similarity of design or context. It also seems that they are intending to adopt a brutalist approach to appearance and scale of the former, with flattish roofs from the separate “Blocks” highlighted against the horizon from the approach from the south. But hopefully this might change and Pegasus did seem to appreciate that the building height must be kept as low as possible to conceal the development from Station Road. Pegasus also understood our concern about the treatment of the upper terraces outside the footprint of the buildings and we hope that they will preserve the open appearance and public access to these areas and the footpaths through the site.

A surprising admission was that they are planning over 120 dwellings on the site, whereas the emerging Local Plan , (yet to be reported on by the Inspector), proposes only 60.

We await Pegasus Life’s further exhibition in January.’

Reminder of SVA objections to EDDC’s plans for Knowle can be viewed at http://www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk/index.php?page=sva-objections-to-proposed-knowle-redevelopment

Response to first Pegasus Life Exhibition (Nov 2015) on plans for Knowle | Save Our Sidmouth

See also:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: deciding to sell >>> 'overage' and the dangers of selling Knowle short
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: deciding to sell >>> Full Council: Wednesday 25th March >>> and more reports
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: contracts exchanged for sale with preferred bidder Pegasus
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Shop Indie this Christmas - support independent businesses in Sidmouth

Black Friday was not too good for the High Street:
Black Friday 2015: Empty aisles as Brits choose to shop at home instead - Mirror Online
Black Friday online spending surges as consumers shun high street - FT.com

The High Street is actually quite inviting in a town like Sidmouth - with that old-fashioned feel:



Sidmouth, High Street 1906 - Francis Frith

The town's independent retailers are challenging shoppers over the next couple of weeks:




Sidmouth Independent Christmas Shopping Challenge 2014, East Devon

The Herald is supporting the project:

Celebrate shopping in Sidmouth with Christmas challenge

16:12 23 November 2015

Harvey Gavin

Sidmouth independent bsuiness men and women are gearing up for the festive season and in particular the late night Christmas shopping event. Ref shs 5600-45-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn

A campaign aimed at boosting independent business and celebrating what makes Sidmouth’s retail experience unique is under way for the third year running

The Christmas Shopping Challenge gives customers the chance to win £200 towards their festive purchases while supporting the local economy.

Twenty-five of the town’s independent businesses are participating this year.

Organiser Claire Jenkins hopes the challenge, which runs until Chritmas Eve, will attract as much interest as it has in the past. She said: “For every £1 you spend with a local, independent business, between 50-70p circulates back into your local economy. Shopping locally supports local traders, their suppliers and the people they depend on to run their businesses.

“Shopping online or out of town may save you a little time, but for every £1 you spend, only five pence trickles back into your local economy. When you shop with your local independents you are doing ‘your bit’ to keep your high street or town ‘open for business’.

“Sadly, it really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.”

Anyone shopping at one of the participating independent shops will receive a challenge leaflet, which will be marked with a ‘bauble’ for each purchase. After collecting 10 baubles, shoppers will be entered into a prize draw for £200 of vouchers that can be spent locally. The shopping challenge is supported by theHerald, Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce and the town’s representative on Devon County Council, Councillor Stuart Hughes, who provided £150 from his locality budget.

Cllr Hughes said: “I am delighted to support this challenge. Sidmouth is very lucky to have a good range of independent shops, and it’s important that we as residents and visitors to the town continue to support them.”

A full list of participating shops can be found at www.sidmouthindieshops.co.uk. More details in next Friday’s Herald.

Celebrate shopping in Sidmouth with Christmas challenge - News - Sidmouth Herald

The District Council is doing its bit too:

Temporary £2 a day parking tariff for three months at all EDDC car parks from December 1

When this content has been created

26 November 2015

Temporary £2 a day parking tariff for three months at all EDDC car parks from December 1

Move set to boost trade over Christmas and New Year and extend to February 2016

An across-the-board standard parking charge of £2 a day is being introduced across allEast Devon District Council car parks for three months from December 1.
The temporary tariff will not only support local shops over Christmas, but will help boost trade during the traditionally quieter months of January and February.
The move was welcomed by East Devon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Colin Wright who said that he was delighted.
Mr Wright, who is also chairman of the Honiton Chamber of Commerce, said:

We’re very pleased that the district council has once again granted us a very generous concession for car parking.

It was a great success last year – for example I know that the footfall of shoppers in Honiton increased by a considerable amount and extended the shopping time for our visitors and local residents. It’s really great news that the concession is also being extended to the end of February which will also help our businesses.

The parking concession is available after 10am in all East Devon’s 39 pay and display car parks. The 10am start time avoids car parks becoming blocked by commuters and (in the case of Honiton, Axminster and Exmouth) by rail commuters. In addition, anyone buying a £2 ticket after 10am will be able to use the same ticket to park in any other EDDC car park for the remainder of that day.
Councillor Iain Chubb, the council’s Cabinet member for the environment, said:

We understand that our local business communities are competing during the festive season with big city shops and online retailers which is why we are introducing this parking concession.  
This is the second year that the concession has been extended to three months and that’s because it proved so popular with our customers last year and we want to thank them for shopping in East Devon.

We do all we can to help our traders and the Chambers of Commerce, particularly at this time of year. For some of our businesses, the Christmas season is when they make enough money to keep them afloat during the quieter months of January and February so this initiative will be a welcome boost for them.

26 November 2015 - Temporary £2 a day parking tariff for three months at all EDDC car parks from December 1 - East Devon
Sidmouth car parks to benefit from £2 rate - News - Sidmouth Herald
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