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| • Dr Julian Lewis MP. |
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“This is a vindication of the arguments which we put to the Planning Inquiry, of the inquiry process itself, and of the integrity of the Labour Government in upholding the report of the Inquiry, despite the wishes of MP's in Southampton . It is a tribute to the superb campaign waged by Residents Against Dibden Bay Port, under the outstanding leadership of Paul Vickers, without whose campaigning skill and depth of knowledge we would have been unable to present to the Inquiry such an overwhelming case.
It also shows that moves to weaken the ability of major planning inquiries to delay controversial projects of this sort are dangerously misguided.”
“I pay tribute to Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, and the New Forest East Labour and Liberal Democrat Parties as well as numerous other local groups who have united to help bring about this amazing victory of David over Goliath.
This is a slap in the face for the big boys and the “get rich quick” merchants who bullied and blustered that the development was inevitable, simply because they wished to bulldoze it into existence regardless of the environmental cost and the damage to the quality of life of my Totton and Waterside constituents.
I have yet to see the final report but it is clear from the Minister's statement that environmental protection was considered to be paramount and the assistance from national environmental bodies, including RSPB, Friends of the Earth and English Nature, is gratefully acknowledged.
The Inspectors who conducted the Inquiry had a difficult task in that they were supposed to be considering the Dibden Bay proposal alone, yet the possible development of other ports was clearly of crucial relevance since the development of Dibden Bay at such environmental cost would have depended on whether there were viable alternatives.
Our community is clearly indebted to the Inspectors who have saved the New Forest – one of the most treasured rural locations in England – from damage, and degradation.”
Also see the following news items
• Your Comments
• Dibden Bay Port Terminal proposals rejected
• NFDC jubilation as government says no to Dibden Bay
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