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Rosso says no
ROSSINGTON has delivered a stunning blow to the Eco-pioneers, with an astonishing outpouring of feeling against more local house-building.
A total of 921 villagers turned out to vote in the first Parish Poll ever held in the village...
Of them, 898, or 96.66 per cent made their mark against the developers – as opposed to just 31 for.
Even those who had pushed for the poll declared themselves staggered by the result.
Elated parish council chairman Terry Wilde said: "We expected a big opposition vote, but nothing like this. People are getting angry.
"They're realising that the Government's housing policy is driven totally by property developers, and that it is an absolute disgrace!"
And he warned Rossington's MP and Housing Minister Caroline Flint: "Ms Flint and others should take note. She'll find she has an East Glasgow fiasco on her hands here if she doesn't watch out!"
Mr Wilde added: "In a democracy, we would expect a quick and significant response to what this poll has shown.
"People and communities are being put in jeopardy and we need to see a responsive policy towards housing and building, which reflects true need.
"Mayor Martin Winter showed up in Rossington to give the Eco-town plans his full backing on July 23 despite no previous debate on the issue by full Council.
"This pretence of popular support for schemes, in which the public have no say, is wearing thin."
He went on: "The so-called housing shortage is a myth. There are 750,000 homes which could be brought up to standard, as stated by First Rung and the Federation of Master Builders.
"I could not believe the number of people who turned out for a poll of this kind. The Parish Council will now make representation to all authorities concerned and press our case to the best of our ability."
Former parish council chair Eddy Jones claimed the sight of people queueing to cast their vote at Grange Lane School BEFORE the 4pm start, had amazed the two DMBC electoral officers on duty there.
He said: "This resounding result goes against all previous claims made that a majority of people are in favour of more housing around Rossington".
A UK Coal spokesman admitted the referendum showed the strength of feeling about building in Rossington, "even if is not now relevant to the Eco-town, as it has been stated there will be no building on greenfield land".
Clearly uncomfortable at the way the ministerial visit was handled, he insisted that UK Coal was not involved in the organisation of the event, saying they were present "purely to give a presentation".
There is concern that a pit heap, earmarked for removal within the colliery site, may be used on surrounding greenfield land which may then in the future be classified as brownfield land.
The spokesman confirmed that the slag heap will have to be displaced, but insisted it would not be re-sited with the intention of its new location being later used for housing, though it may come within the country park.
"We have a big job before us, to convince the people of Rossington that our proposals would bring lasting benefits to them, and to their village," he added.
"Naturally, people are resistant to change, but our proposal is both achievable and sustainable, and it will bring hope to many people who are struggling to see a future for themselves.
"I can promise there will be the biggest public consultation on this that Rossington or anywhere around Doncaster has ever seen, and that everyone will have the chance to give their verdict on the plans.
"What happened on July 23 was not part of the UK Coal process and we will handle future consultations ourselves.
"It would not be for us to organise any further referendum... that would be for the local bodies to take upon themselves.
"But I can promise that all views will be taken into account regarding the Eco-town."
PARISH POLL RESULT
QUESTION: "Do you believe it is in the best interests of the Rossington community to encourage extra housing on the greenfield sites around or within our village?".
POPULATION: 13,257
TURNOUT: 929
AGAINST BUILDING: 898
FOR BUILDING: 31
PERCENTAGE AGAINST: 96.66
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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