27/05/13….Thame Neighbourhhood Plan – criticism but hope for the future

DEAR Editor, Hallelujah! We have a plan ? now four weeks old, and about to be delivered! Starting with history, I refer to the town clerk?s letter clarifying the process for ?The Count?. It was very reassuring that at least in this process there could be no interference by anyone in the Town Hall, or others.

C.H. was not the only one who had concerns about this matter. These concerns stem from the total contempt with which the town clerk and all architects of the plan treated the majority of participants that were promised a say in the process but were totally excluded without notification. I will not go into details of all the disgraceful shenanigans that were employed then, as well as in the ?Yes? campaign, as those concerned will know exactly what I?m referring to.

However, as none of this will give us a better plan, we must put it all behind us and look to the future, support those entrusted with the plan?s delivery, and hope for the best!

I noted that the ?Yes? campaigners have made a start which, although rather late, should be welcomed by all those sidelined. I refer to the Jeanette Matelot-Green?s statement that the 24% of ?No? voters should now be listened to.

Also, although this has not yet been confirmed by those entrusted with delivering the plan, the proposal to put 85% of all affordable/social housing on site ?F? and ?The Elms? and the remaining 15% on ?C? & ?D?, seems to me a very welcome one. The common sense of this proposal is really far sighted. Those who would normally occupy such dwellings are also those more often reliant on public transport of which there will be no shortage on those sites, in contrast to sites C & D which will have none at all.

We hope there will be more ?good? ideas followed by ?good? decisions as ?the plan? is delivered.

Oliver Dyroff