I'm starting a petition and taking on the Council..... eeeek

[KbearBrockovich]

it's about the sale of some land behind my house and access to it etc etc, bit dull but will ultimately determine what my house is worth. Just had a residents' meeting with some local Councillors and I'm all fired up to take on the big boys (bit scared too actually). I was asked to speak at the Council meeting but I know my voice will just squeak. Leaving that to my neighbour who can talk for England.

I'm going door to door....

[CaptainUnderpants]

Are you getting the support from your local councillors ?

[KbearBrockovich]

Yes, they are the ones who told us about the proposed sale, they are firmly on our side. I just wish I understood how local govt works, feel a bit on the back foot.

[CaptainUnderpants]

The land may be sold but before they can build anything they have obviuolsy get planning permission , that where your local councillors come in to help oppose any building. More than a certain amount of objects to any planning then the plans will have to go to council planning commitee ( made up of councillors ), but remebre these big building firms always submit bigger plans initally than actually needed and then work down to what they actually want so it looks asthough they are conceding .

Who is selling the land ? Council or private owners ?

If council then surely they would have to have discussed it at coucnil meetings .

[KbearBrockovich]

Council are selling it - we suspect to a Housing Association, who already own some garages on the land.

My concern is that the access into this land is next to my house and is only wide enough for one way traffic. The Housing Association approached the previous owners of my house and asked to buy it so they could knock it down to widen the access road.

I'm a bit worried about compulsory purchase too.

[CaptainUnderpants]

If the local councillors are supporting you then they need to do some work on this aswell and not leave it all to you . they represent you ans should be able to speak out at the meeting to oppose this sale .

I suppose you could always conatct the Local Governemnt Ombudsmen for help and advice aswell here

[KbearBrockovich]

Yes, they are speaking for us at the meeting, as well as two residents nominated by us. The Councillors are being very helpful.

thanks for posting

[KbearBrockovich]

I've been reading the deeds to my property and although I work in law I am bamboozled by the legal speak of older documents - wheretofores and hereins that you just don't get in modern legal docs thanks to the plain english campaign.

[wheresmysuntan]

In our area we are fighting against our village being swamped by a developer's 2500+houses proposal. Very early on we were advised against a petition as the council would only count it as one letter of objection. We therefore asked people to write individual letters ( providing them with a pro forma) instead.Probably not what you want to hear I know but do check it out with your local councillors.

[KbearBrockovich]

they suggested it! I will email them today and put your point to them about it being one letter of objection.

All help here gratefully received - it's new to me!

[lionheart]

Do deep breathing exercises before you speak ...

[wheresmysuntan]

Good luck 'Kbear'. Perhaps your council will take a different view re the petition.