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Revolt brewing over 'eco-town' proposal
A COUNCILLOR involved in a controversial plan to build a 42,000-population "eco-town" on Tickhill's doorstep, is a DIRECTOR of one of the landowners and developers behind the scheme, the Newsletters have revealed.
Tickhill businessman and Rossington Parish Councillor Malcolm Clark is backing the plan to build five new housing "hubs" to the south and west of Rossington – sending them sprawling towards Tickhill and Harworth.
But astonishing scenes ensued at a meeting of Rossington Parish Council, when the Newsletter revealed one of Mr Clark's business interests – as a director of developers Rossington Hall Investments, along with his son Julian.
Newsletter editor Jim Oldfield spoke in the public session, to raise public interest concerns over whether Mr Clark had made sufficient declarations of interest in previous parish council meetings, at which the Local Development Framework, or LDF, was debated.
The LDF is considered to be the blueprint for future development across the area.
Mr Oldfield said that Mr Clark had not declared an interest, yet had taken an active part in some of the debates.
Mr Clark – who with his wife and son, also runs a business called Designaim, based at Lindrick Close, Tickhill – maintains he has always kept people fully informed of his business position, whenever a conflict of interest might arise.
The editor explained to the meeting, that the Rossington eco-town development plan – to turn the village into a 42,000 population town – is currently before the Government in London.
Mr Oldfield added that its lead developers are listed as Rossington Hall Investments, together with UK Coal, Helios Properties and Persimmon Homes.
But when Mr Oldfield went on to outline Mr Clark's links with Rossington Hall Investments, pandemonium broke out.
The meeting was packed with angry neighbours of Mr Clark, who had turned out to fight a different development – a multi-million pound bid to replace his home at Littleworth Lane, Old Rossington, with access to a new 143-house estate.
And when fellow Coun John Quinn demanded that the editor be silenced – he was beaten back, as the residents staged an impromptu, stand-up protest!
Fierce protest from the floor continued until chairman Terry Wilde ruled that the editor be allowed to continue, adding: "It's too late now – the cat's out of the bag".
Mr Quinn insisted Mr Oldfield was there merely to "try and split us up". But the editor was allowed to continue.
He went on to explain that the other directors of Rossington Hall Investments include Sir John Hall, former Newcastle United soccer club chairman and Gateshead Metro Centre developer, and his son Douglas, of Gibraltar.
Sir John's daughter, Allison Antonopoulos, is also a director.
Mr Oldfield suggested Mr Clark's involvement implied a strong conflict of interest and a matter of serious public concern.
He quoted the current code of conduct of the Standards Board of England, outlining several potential breaches which included:
"Failing to reveal a personal interest at a meeting"
"Taking part in a discussion or making a decision where they have an interest that is so significant that it is likely to affect their judgment"
"Improperly influencing a decision about a matter in which they have a prejudicial interest"
He sat down to tumultuous applause and cheers from the public audience.
Mr Quinn went on: "This is one of the best villages in Yorkshire, and it is sad to see you being taken in by the press".
But he was halted mid-flow by members of the public.
Mr Clark said he would answer questions, but not to a "kangaroo court", adding: "all this is the press putting a spin on things".
He confirmed his directorship of Rossington Hall Investments for 18 years, saying it is public knowledge, and adding that RHI was just one of four developers behind the eco-town proposals.
He said: "Rossington Hall does own land in Rossington - everyone knows that".
On being invited by Mr Oldfield to say exactly how much land, he stated there were two sites of 30 acres and 47 acres, within a total site of 3,000 acres.
He alleged that Mr Oldfield had misquoted him on previous occasions and that he had made a formal complaint to his company in such terms. Mr Oldfield then sat down, to more applause.
Mr Clark is also director of real estate management company Designaim Ltd, along with his wife Kathleen and son Julian, who is the company secretary.
Designaim holds 24 shares in Rossington Hall Investments Ltd, the majority of shares being held by Cameron Hall Developments Ltd. Cameron Hall was started by Sir John Hall.
His son Douglas now heads the company.
Tickhill Residents' Association chief John Hoare says he has already taken his concerns over the "eco-town" bid, to the Government Office
for Yorkshire and the Humber.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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