Friday 8 October 2010

NIMBY Fun

From The Wharfedale and Airdale Observer:

The campaigners aim to submit 1,000 letters of objection against Barratt Homes’ plans to build 174 houses on Derry Hill, which have been validated by Bradford Council. Proposals for a further 125 properties at Bingley Road are expected to be submitted soon by developers Taylor Wimpey...

MAG committee member Graham Booth said... “There are no jobs in the Wharfe Valley so people will have to travel and that means an increase in congestion and our carbon footprint. Putting houses where there are no jobs is close to environmental vandalism.” ... This week, working parties have been asking passengers to fill in questionnaires about train services, which they believe are full to capacity.


From Google Maps:

View Larger Map

5 comments:

Bayard said...

Wel, since it's Barratt and Taylor Wimpey, I expect that these new estates will be completely bland, with no concessions to local vernacular - it's the bribe, bully, boxes route again. I wonder what that inspector's decision cost Barratt and Taylor Wimpey in terms of arm-twisting, favour calling and brown envelopes.

Mark Wadsworth said...

B: "I expect that these new estates will be completely bland, with no concessions to local vernacular"

Zoom in on that map a bit, and I think you'll find that "bland boxes" are "the local vernacular".

Scott Wright said...

But um... wouldn't increased availability of housing be followed by increased population and by extension, increased viability of setting up shop in the town?

Bayard said...

Mark, apologies, that is indeed the case! This really is pure NIMBYism. Mind you the logical place to put the new houses is east of Bradford Road, handier for the railway station and the main road, but I expect the guy in the big house at the end of Chevin Avenue made sure that didn't happen.

Mark Wadsworth said...

SW, get with the plot! NIMBYs have to be protected from/compensated for all downsides that result from new development but are allowed to benefit from the upside without further let or hindrance.

They see this as the main role of the state. New school or hospital? Yes please! New houses so that the teachers or nurses have somewhere to live? F--- off!

B, that's a good point. Land Value Tax will sort him out!