We are residents of the countryside worried
about the uncontrolled proliferation of polytunnels that is destroying Britain's
landscapes.
The CPC as a group declared itself on the 20th
September 2002 following a long protracted and continuing battle with Herefordshire
council.
Herefordshire planning considers polytunnels
to be temporary structures and hence require no planning consents. Whilst other counties
have sensible planning regulation to control polytunnels Herefordshire has non and resists
implementation.
This council are allowing the uncontrolled proliferation of polytunnels through out
the county.
Local people are being denied any platform from which to object to what is happening to
their environment.
Although this is an issue primarily in
Herefordshire we believe this has national concerns.
The loss of beauty and the tranquility of the famous national asset the Wye valley a
designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a loss to the country as a whole
As a result of individual letters to the
press and subsequent TV reporting, we discovered that this was a widespread problem across
our county; other communities and individuals had been inflicted by polyblight. They also
had been making complaint to Herefordshire council for a period of many years. They also
had found the council unresponsive and unwilling to take action.
There is no doubt that there is political and
vested interest in Herefordshire that encourages such development and wishes it to expand.
Hence the despoliation of landscape continues, as does the dismissal of the rights of
individuals and whole communities to object. Hereford planning had concealed
and failed to act in accord with legal ruling.
photo: alongside river Wye at Kings
Caple in AONB
in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty & Site of Special Scientific Interest & Area
of Great Landscape Value
photo: looking across river Wye to
Ross-on-Wye
in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty & Site of Special Scientific Interest & Area
of Great Landscape Value
photo: aerial view of Marden, showing extent of polytunnels - Marden once proudly nominated "best kept village”
Our intention is to contest and
go forward as one voice. The CPC web site
www.polytunnelcontrol.org.uk
provides a platform to represent individuals, communities, public bodies and county
councillors who are willing to speak out against this denial of democratic rights and loss
of landscape.
If you wish to contribute you can do so by e-mail to polygon1000@yahoo.co.uk