Last night Stacey and I attended a committee meeting of the Hesledens Residents' Association where a number of local matters and future events were considered. An update was also given on recent issues associated with the community campaign against the pit heap development in Hesleden, and that is the main focus of this post.
The meeting itself was very positive in outlook and equally strong on unity, which is exactly what we need at the moment. It also emphasised how effective well-organised groups like the HRA can be in bringing communities together at critical moments.
As soon as the meeting got underway concerns were raised about recent developments that could have had a disruptive impact on the campaign, and ultimately create divisions in the village itself. It was agreed that up until recently the community had stood together as one, but lately there'd been a real risk that cracks could develop in that unity if some of the negative messages on social media started to take hold. This is never a good thing at any time of course, but it's especially concerning at the moment when we're trying to face forward as a community and move on to the next phase of the campaign.
Stacey and I gave a brief update on developments so far with the campaign to oppose an extension of time allowed to extract more materials from the former pit heap. There still hasn't been a date set for the planning committee, but nevertheless it was felt that we’d reached the stage now where we should be preparing for how we take the campaign forward to the next level - which includes deciding on the most effective way of representing our community's interests at the planning committee meeting.
By way of background to the latest developments I echoed the comments of other committee members about dark and potentially divisive comments made on social media about ‘secret meetings’ taking place, and false claims that a decision has already been made behind the scenes. I pointed out that anyone who had any experience of campaigning on local planning issues should know that it is only members of the planning committee who can make a decision on this planning application. Anyone who suggests otherwise either doesn’t understand how the planning process works, or is deliberately trying to create divisions in the community for their own purposes.
Whatever their intentions, the clear message coming out of last night's meeting was that in the interests of unity, and for the sake of the community itself, these attempts at disruption and division must be brought to an end. It's a fact that divided communities don’t win campaigns.
In addition it was generally acknowledged that we now had as much meaningful and relevant information as we needed to start to coordinate how we move the campaign on and prepare for the planning committee meeting.
At this point Stacey gave an outline of the format of planning committee meetings - including how the time allowed for speakers is divided up between elected members and residents’ representatives. It was agreed that when the planning officer’s report is made public the relevant community representatives would coordinate the way we intend to address the committee.
It was stressed that if we are to have any influence on the outcome of the planning meeting we will have to demonstrate to committee members that our case is robust and focused on 'material' planning considerations. Arguments based on diminishing property values, individual council tax bands and the name and ownership of the company are simply irrelevant in planning terms and will be disregarded as such by the planning committee. It was acknowledged that we have only one chance to make our case, so if we don't use the right arguments that opportunity will be wasted.
So in summary, the firm and unmistakeable message to take from last night's meeting was that we must stick together as a community and rally round a common cause. For many years residents have united around the campaign started back in 2013 to oppose the pit heap development. The last thing we need now at the 11th hour is disruption and division. Only by standing together and speaking with one voice will we stand any chance of winning through.
That theme of solid unity was fully endorsed last night by all committee members - and that simple act showed the strength that community-based groups like the Hesledens Residents' Association have when they're well-organised and operated by and on behalf of their community.
As ever, I'll update in due course on any significant developments. In the meantime, if you have any issues you would like me or Stacey to know about please get in touch with us at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk
**Please note that this is a personal account of events
