Scandal, Rumpus, and the Offices on Warley Hill …

You know, what with one thing and another … ?

I’m surprised anything gets done in this town, I really am … !

Because — if you’ve been keeping an eye on the Brentwood Gazette — you’ll ALSO know that Brentwood Council’s conservative group … ?

Seems to be …

Well …

Having more schisms than the 9th Century Roman Catholic church.

Which was pretty fractious, if what I remember from what I’ve read, over the years.

But, at any rate, it seems that the conservative group on Brentwood Council’s having something of a civil war.

Mostly … ?

Mostly over the debacle of the planned demolition — possibly on hold, possibly not — of Brentwood’s Town Hall.

Seemingly with the tory group’s leader, Louise McKinley having people call for her job, and calling, in this week’s Gazette, for the resignation of the Mayor, Councillor Joan Holmes.

Hmmm …

I hate having to say I actually agree with a TORY — trust me, I REALLY don’t — I’m thinking Mrs McKinley has a point, and that the Mayor should stand down.

Mind you … ?

I’m also thinking that, after the Town Hall Demolition debaçle … ?

Well …

Actually, I’m thinking several things … ?

Well, I’m thinking I’d like a job, a new Mac Mini, lots of money, the ability to drive, tons of money, steak and chips with plenty of salt and ketchup, a new TV, a blu-ray player and maybe some more money.

Oh, HELL, just TONS of money would be good: about a million, sterling, in used notes, would be good.

But on a more realistic note … ?

I’m ALSO wondering if there’s any way of calling a simultaneous by-election in each ward.

Or, at least, in Brentwood West and Hutton North, the wards of Councillor Holmes and McKinley.

After all, shouldn’t voters, rather than a council clique, be deciding this … ?

»»·««

But, at ANY rate … ?

You know, I’ve got to admit, I had intended to tell you something else, as well.

You see, those photos — and the slide show that I put together of them — have been taken of various offices around the Warley Hill area.

One reason that Councillor Holmes got a HECK of a lot of my ire, at least?

Was the planned offices/flats/development at the end of St. James Road, just around the corner from Rollason Way, where I live.

She managed to speak in favour of extending the planning permission held by the developers of the area, in order to give them a chance to find a company who’d be happy to rent it from them.

All on behave of her closely consulted residents, or course.

Ahem.

I was rather ticked off: indeed spoke out against the planned flats, at a planning meeting at Brentwood Council, a few weeks before.

A meeting Councillor Holmes also attended, speaking out against it.

The reason I was annoyed, then, and still ticked off, now … ?

Was that Councillor Holmes didn’t think to send me a courtesy email, even if she couldn’t be bothered to knock on my door.

Despite being aware I’d spoken against the plans at the meeting, a few feet away from where she was sitting.

And despite the fact I’ve had my Googlemail address publicly listed here, ever since I started blogging.

I still feel she should step down.

But it gets worse.

In seeking view of some residents, I believe she only sought those who she felt would agree with her views.

There’s more.

And I’m kicking myself for not thinking to check this, myself, earlier.

You see, as you can tell from the photos and slide show, № 1, St. James Road, the bottom photo, has been vacant since it was built.

According to a spokesperson from Mass & Co, the letting agency responsible for Romy House, the offices above Murphy’s Sports Bar, on Warley Hill, have been vacant for about six months.

Since February, about a month before the planning meeting that extended the office developments planning permission was extended.

And the ground floor of Kingsgate, at the top, there … ?

According a chap called Mark that I talked to, from Bidwells, the lettings agency responsible for that … ?

That 3, 000 square feet of offices — the same sort of size, if I’ve got it right, as № 1, St. James Road — has been vacant since 2009.

At £20 per square foot.

Now, I’m happily admit, I didn’t think to ask the various landlords and lettings agencies involved about that, before now.

But I’m ALSO thinking something else.

I’m one man.

With a way of expressing his views, directly, and who loves the attention, I’ll admit.

But still just one man.

That kind of slip, from a local councillor, representing both voters — those who voted for and against her — and businesses in her constituency.

Lord knows I’d’ve given Karen Chilvers a serious rollicking if she’d made the same sort of mistake, when in office.

What we’ve got … ?

Well, I firmly believe Louise McKinley should stand down from her position as a councillor.

As should Joan Holmes.

Councillor Joan Holmes Won’t Be Getting My Vote

You know, isn’t it amazing what you find out if you keep your ears to the ground?

I’ve found out the the roads are covered in gravel, for a start.

The really pointy sort that gets stuck in your ear canal.

That’s just for starters … !

The other bit … ?

Is that you can find out about planning meetings.

Specifically about the planning meetings concerning Saint James Road.

Seemingly, Brentwood Council’s planning commitee approved the extension to the planning application that allows more time for an office block to be built, just around the corner from me, in Saint James Road.

Yeah …

The heavily advertised one.

Ahem … !

At any rate, I spoke out against the residential flats the developers wanted to build there, a few months ago, and still don’t like the idea of anything being built there.

I’m just disappointed I couldn’t get to the planning meeting about it.

Because I’m told that Brentwood West’s one Tory councillor, Councillor Joan Homes, was quoted as saying that residents were “broadly in favour” of it.

Well …

The source I had, didn’t name names, but as there’s only one Tory councillor for the area …

So …

Given Councillor Holmes email address isn’t THAT hard to find, I sent her this …

Dear Councillor Holmes,

I’m writing in regard to the extension to the planned office block on Saint James Road.

I’m informed that you spoke on the subject, and said that residents in the area are broadly in favour of the development going ahead.

Speaking for myself — and, I believe, for many others in Rollason Way, just around the corner from the development — I think I can safely safe I am not. I also feel I speak for many of my fellow residents, many of whom signed the petition against the residential development on the same patch of land.

I’d like to ask — at this point — what your motivations are for voting for this extension.

And ask if you — and all those who voted for this eyesore in the making — will be stepping down from your office as councillor for Brentwood West, as you have badly let down your constituents.

Oh, and sent this to the Gazette …

Dear Sir,

I’ve got to admit, I’ve just heard that Brentwood Council’s Planning Committee have decided to extend planning permission for a proposed block of offices in Saint James Road.

I’m disappointed, I really am. Especially given that, a few months back, I spoke out against the proposed flats that the developers had wanted to put there: something that thankfully got refused.

I’m also told that the one Conservative member for Brentwood West spoke in favour of the extension. And told the committee that residents in the area were broadly in favour of it.

I’m a resident of Rollason Way. Just around the corner from the proposed development.

I spoke out against the residential flats on the same land, and still believe any further development will be bad for my street.

And from talking to my neighbours in the area, one of whom lives direct;y opposite the plot in question … ?

Know there is still opposition in Saint James Road.

I can effectively say that councillor is talking twaddle.

I’d like to know one thing, at this stage.

Will that councillor be stepping down, from both the Council and the associated committees … ?

As she obviously don’t speak for her constituents.

Here’s hoping I get some form of reaction … !

Feel free to copy and paste things into you email client or webmail service …