"This is a protest by residents from all parts of the Medway Towns. It is not by a group with a name nor does it have any single political party connection.
Our concern is for the green spaces and Heriitage of our towns, especially The Paddock and Riverside Gardens which have just been appropriated by Medway Council to build a bus station.
There were many objections to the process known as Appropriation which began on the 5th February 2010 and ended on 19th February 2010. No acknowledgement of receipt of objections has been received. Last week on Friday 26th February 2010, felling of trees commenced despite the fact that the decision to appropriate the land on which the trees stand, had not been published.
The proposed bus station means that parts of The Paddock, including 4 mature Red Chestnut trees which are over 100 years old, and the Riverside Gardens will be replaced by road space and waiting areas for buses.
The proposed new bus station is very unpopular and only Arriva and Nu-Venture Bus Operators have offered their qualified support. It has attracted widespread opposition from many different groups including The Open Spaces Society and Urban Spaces Society. The proposed bus station is smaller than the existing bus station in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, whose traders have expressed concern for their businesses if the bus station is relocated.
The council is rushing this major infrastructure project through and must commence building it by the beginning of the next financial year to gain government funding.
Medway Council has quashed any debate. The Planning Application for this £6 million project was lodged on 7th December 2009 and the Planning Application was heard on 27th January 2010. The council's Planning Committee Chair refused a site visit for its own members and took the very unusual step of refusing a Ward Councillor's request for a public site meeting.
Medway Council's governing cabinet has refused permission for the councils' Regeneration and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review (scrutinise) this decision.
Protesters condemn this abdication of democratic processes and the building of this unnecessary and unwanted bus station. It has no popular public support and we call upon Medway Council to acknowledge the beauty of this historic and much-loved open space. The council should review the whole process carefully, including negotiating the upgrading of the current bus station.
This Thursday 4th March 2010 at 7pm, a number of questions will be asked by members of the public at the Full Council Meeting at the St George's Centre. Members of the public are invited to attend to hear the Leader respond to the concerns of local residents."
Our concern is for the green spaces and Heriitage of our towns, especially The Paddock and Riverside Gardens which have just been appropriated by Medway Council to build a bus station.
There were many objections to the process known as Appropriation which began on the 5th February 2010 and ended on 19th February 2010. No acknowledgement of receipt of objections has been received. Last week on Friday 26th February 2010, felling of trees commenced despite the fact that the decision to appropriate the land on which the trees stand, had not been published.
The proposed bus station means that parts of The Paddock, including 4 mature Red Chestnut trees which are over 100 years old, and the Riverside Gardens will be replaced by road space and waiting areas for buses.
The proposed new bus station is very unpopular and only Arriva and Nu-Venture Bus Operators have offered their qualified support. It has attracted widespread opposition from many different groups including The Open Spaces Society and Urban Spaces Society. The proposed bus station is smaller than the existing bus station in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, whose traders have expressed concern for their businesses if the bus station is relocated.
The council is rushing this major infrastructure project through and must commence building it by the beginning of the next financial year to gain government funding.
Medway Council has quashed any debate. The Planning Application for this £6 million project was lodged on 7th December 2009 and the Planning Application was heard on 27th January 2010. The council's Planning Committee Chair refused a site visit for its own members and took the very unusual step of refusing a Ward Councillor's request for a public site meeting.
Medway Council's governing cabinet has refused permission for the councils' Regeneration and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review (scrutinise) this decision.
Protesters condemn this abdication of democratic processes and the building of this unnecessary and unwanted bus station. It has no popular public support and we call upon Medway Council to acknowledge the beauty of this historic and much-loved open space. The council should review the whole process carefully, including negotiating the upgrading of the current bus station.
This Thursday 4th March 2010 at 7pm, a number of questions will be asked by members of the public at the Full Council Meeting at the St George's Centre. Members of the public are invited to attend to hear the Leader respond to the concerns of local residents."
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