Parking, open space or slow worms!

“The latest public row about change and improvement is in Luton. Luton remains high on any index of deprivation and the council has been working with partners such as police and health to improve things. It's proving a tough job, but progress is being made.

The idea of having a Healthy Living Centre in Luton has been welcomed by many, but to date effectively blocked by a few. Where these centres have been built elsewhere in Medway - such as Rochester, Rainham and Lordswood - they have proven a marvellous asset to the community.

Time is short, the money to build this centre will soon be lost if progress is not made. There are always plenty of reasons for not doing something - whether it be parking, open space or slow worms!

If the obstacles and prevarications continue, this marvellous facility will be lost. Sadly if the objectors have their way, it will be the good people of Luton who will lose out.”

Cllr Jarrett (21/10/2011)

Substitute the word Luton with ‘Rochester’ and the words ‘health centre’ for airport and change listed ‘Rochester, Rainham and Lordswood’ with ‘Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow’

Councillor Jarrett last week attacked the airport proposal for exactly the same reasons local residents object to the idea of a poorly located healthy living centre; Ecological, infrastructure and resident concern.

Only the same issues, which he labels ‘parking, open space or slow worms’ are happily ignored elsewhere when he has own finger on the bulldozer ignition.

Of course the two proposals are not the same; but I can imagine someone in the Mayor’s office labeling Cllr Jarrett 'anti-change' and an 'obstacle' to progress.

They deserve just as much short shrift as Cllr Jarrett's article did on Friday.

I am consistent; you can not ignore resident opinion or the concerns of ecology (whether from the RSPB or environmental groups). Only a fool runs roughshod over local opinion; and that is just as much a lesson for Boris Johnson as it is for Cllr Jarrett.

Perhaps listening to those on the ground; whether on the airport or the health centre is the best way forward. The basis for objection you will find are not altogether that different.

Update

I am quite concerned by the lack of updates from the administration on the counter-proposals on location for the health centre. All requests for further information have been met by silence, despite several emails to chase on my points mentioned here.

With the Kings Road clinic being shut the area does need a health facility - surely we can find a suitable outcome in a better location?