Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[Bigcrack]

So let's get this right Shippo.
This "Master Plan" wont be revealed until later this month or "sometime in October".
It all seems rather vague and stinks of "scaremongering".
Let's wait and see what this cunning "Master Plan" consists of before we jump to any conclusions.
Who knows, robcrack might be right and Michael Jackson (or even better) Oasis might make an appearance at the Grandstand before we see horse racing and all the associated aircraft on the West Common.
With your love of aircraft it might be a bonus for you if the "Master Plan" works!!!

[john shipton]

Yes, from those wanting to bring back professional flat horse racing to the West Common, especially the two groups which have already have been mentioned plus Karl McCartney who is under starter orders to lead the way, these folk have been very vague indeed. Having spoken to Mr McCartney who is the PPC for the Lincoln Conservative Party on a couple of occassions in the last three years (not the two racing companies), he must surely know what is on the Master Plan. After all, he was in the media headlines with " Horse racing to return to the Carholme" and that was sometime ago. He hopes to become a politician after the next General Election so why not start his campaign rolling by making headlines in doing so, in this case, use horse racing as a gimmick to get attention. When you look at the carreer of the Labour MP for Lincoln, this what has been happening for sometime, especially saying that Post Offices in Lincoln should remain open for ther sake of communities, yet voting with the government to close them which the Post Office did.
But then, this is common practice amongst politicians as the public has seen with MPs expenses, and so forth.
Master Plans or Masters to be, is what is becoming to get attention and headlines with little information given by those involved.
Residents have asked me to provide details available on the history of the West Common which I have gladly done and has been appreciated.
Yes, the Master Plan will be revealed, hopefully for all to see, read, and to be discussed. With those involved in bringing back horse race to the Carholme, why did they give out snippets of two grandstands, a hotel, parking, a circular race course, access, securing the race couse, closing Carholme Road, etc, etc, when Mr McCartney said at the recent Carholme Community Forum, which by the way, the police attend, that he did not know what was on and written down on the Master Plan? For him to be the leading spokeman from the beginning, he must know more about the plans but claims not so!
Arthur Houghton, a former jockey, who still lives in Lincoln, actually took part in horse racing at The Carholme. He has said that bringing back professional flat horse racing to Lincoln is "pie in the sky." He is an elderly gentleman who knows much about horse racing. He also said that it will be about commercialism, making money, and the common will be taken over by private enterprise. He indicated that he does not trust either Lincoln City Council who is going ahead to change the Act ( already known) which protects the common, and the two business groups who want horse racing to return. The common will be destroyed in favour of development.
As Shakespeare said..."to be or not to be - that is the question!"

[robcrack]

Shippo,
whilst I respect your enthusiasm, I wonder who your letter in the Echo on 14/09 was on behalf of?? You signed off as John Shipton Long Leys Residents Association. It's not a qualification or award like an OBE.

Rob Crack M.I.L.F

[deb]

John's views are his own and should neither be taken nor written as being on behalf of any group of people.

[GDStimson]

Hello all

Apologies for the less than timely contribution, but I am a lowly LLRA volunteer with a full time job which takes me away from home periodically.

As John stated earlier, I also attended the special CCF meeting on behalf of LLRA, at which Mr Karl McCartney was presenting the outline case for bringing racing back to the common, and answering the questions submitted in advance - plus many more in "real time".

I would offer the following observations:

1. The development, as discussed (no presentation material as yet) generally seems commendably low impact – from memory:

• Renovation of Grandstand
• Replace existing stables with new facilities (including vet facilities)
• Level and re-turf designated racecourse (route TBC)
• Permanent railings around racecourse, with periodic pedestrian access points
• No new buildings planned – hospitality, etc. via temporary structures (marquees, portaloos, etc.)
• 16 events = 16 days (or parts thereof) max.
- When horses will need to be removed from the common.
- When A57 Carholme Rd will be closed.

2. I think it's rather harsh to say that Karl did not have answers to many/most of the questions. At this stage, the discussion is about the concept of bringing back racing - whereas most of the questions addressed quite specific issues and were therefore un-answerable at the moment. My personal judgement is that this is reasonable.

3. Some of these "issues" are admittedly fundamental to the return of racing, such as what alterations the legislation protecting the common will currently permit, and is this sufficient to allow racing? This will inevitably be for legal experts to decide - not amateurs.

4. The development group acknowledges that it needs to maintain public goodwill for the project to be successful. As plenty of residents already grumble about the xmas market, cycle race and 10k, CCF members offered some initial feedback on emerging public concerns, the key points boiling down to:

• Traffic management, i.e.: access, diversions and parking, and enforcement thereof.
– the police view being that anything is possible if sufficiently well funded.
• Maintaining maximum public access to the common.
• Minimising negative impact on the common as an amenity and wildlife habitat.

Okay – that’s the report.

As Chairman of the LLRA, I would like to categorically state that we (as an organisation) currently have no view on this matter – no plans were presented at the CCF meeting, and no applications made to any of the relevant authorities. We haven’t even met to consider it, as forming an opinion based around no information would be a waste of time (and I greatly value my free time!).

Personally, I would advise residents to attend any public consultation meetings, review any applications, form their own opinions, and make direct representation to the relevant authorities (as the number of individual submissions is taken into account).

LLRA will gladly assist in the above by publicising any such events and relevant contact details, and providing general representation of residents views into, and feedack from, any meeting without public access (providing we’re invited, of course).

Furthermore (to avoid a repeat of the complete drubbing I took on the Baker’s field matter) may I also remind everyone that LLRA is essentially a conduit to facilitate communication between residents, and the various official bodies which may influence our area. If our understanding of the consensus view isn’t in line with your view, remember that you (as individuals) always have the right to make contact with these self same bodies and make direct representation - or come to the LLRA AGM and vote us out! .

We’re not a parish council, we have no special powers - our only advantage is direct access to first-hand information. However, we’re not exclusive and do have some room on the committee if anyone is interested!

Have a good weekend.

Gary

[Bigcrack]

by deb » Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:26 pm

John's views are his own and should neither be taken nor written as being on behalf of any group of people.deb

Posts: 486
Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:00 pm
Location: manrico drive



So if that is the case then John Shipton has no right to sign off his letter to The Echo on 14/09 with "Long Leys Residents Association" other than to further his own agenda??

His recent silence speaks volumes!

[john shipton]

In answer to Big Crack and Rob Crack comments, sorry folks I have no political agenda of my own and those who have asked me to stand as a candidate for the next local elections, this will not happen because I remain a-political rather than political.
I am not against horse racing on the West Common as I have been involved in bringing back pont to point horse racing for the common. Alas, Lincoln lost this going to the Lincolnshire Showground.
A lot of residents are aware over what will happen when private enterprise takes control of the West Common. They are aware too that once the buildings are in place for professional flat horse racing on the common, it will not stop there. The word is "development." Perhaps they would like to walk the beat as I do, talking and listening to the local residents. For many commons have disappeared in the UK and have been built upon.
It has been so with allotments and this is called progress when development takes precedence.
As part of the LLRA and have been so since its beginning, I have explained what has happened and going on with our so called urban village on Long Leys Road, hence my postings on this web site. It has been so with the West Common.
I am a representative of the Commons Advisory Committee of the City of Lincoln Council and have been so for several years. This committee came about from the Lincoln Commons Act of 1985 to protect and preserve the three commons of Lincoln which the West Common is one of them. So there is no agenda of my own.
The media know that I am a committee member of the LLRA but when it comes down for their stories about Lincoln, they just use my name and Long Leys Residents Association, and it is the same with committee members of the West End Residents Association. It has been similar with being a member of the LLRA - they have either edited or ommitted the word "member."
Now if these two folk don't like what I share, then would they please take over my role or become a committed member of the LLRA by joining its committee. They can be co-opted!
Perhaps they could find time time to do their own research and explain their findings about the use of the West Common, and what to do to it for future generations. For way back in the 1960s, when council housing was a major topic, this common was considered for a council house estate.
Perhaps they would like to share their views and opinions regarding the future use of the former SEC site nearby which remains derelict. Don't forget local residents are still waiting for community facilities for the Long Leys Road area. Do they have any proposals?
The local authority cannot guarantee the use of the Grandstand on the West Common as a community centre, so do they have any ideas on what to do next when closed for other useage?
To start the ball rolling, please comment on the former SEC building and land!

[deb]

Big Crack, obviously The Echo can speak to anyone they please for their views. John is, as is everyone on the Long Leys Road area, a 'member' of LLRA, but by including it in a sign off it implies that his views, if not those of the members, are those of the committee. I am sure John will ensure that they make no assumptions as to his 'sign off' next time.

[SteveW]

Simple :

If you are acting on someone elses behalf or speaking for a group, unless you have their agreement then NO COMMENT would be most relevant and best answer to the media.

However, if you consider yourself the local correspondent, then I suppose it's hard to keep YOUR views to yourself !!!!!!!

[john shipton]

Steve:

I would suggest that residents like yourself be made available on issues concerning the Carholme Ward and the Long Leys Road area. It is no good just saying that I am not bothered, does not affect me, and I do not consider being part of the community. But when it does affect people which includes themselves, come out of hiding and their shells wanting something to be done about it, and if nothing happens or fails, put the blame on residents groups such as the LLRA (or myself) for failing.
When you see and hear those words NO COMMENT, on reflection this reminds people of those who are hiding something. The criminal fraternity do this, celebrities do this, MPs and ministers use these two words, the bankers have done this, and so do councillors. Then we have those VIPs who use their solicitors making statements such as NO COMMENT.
So Steve, kindly make your views known and provide solutions, for what is coming soon is what is going to happen to the former SEC site which is on our patch. It is up for grabs!