Like a bad smell, that blows fresh on the breeze, the “Longboat Saga” carries on. This weeks Journal was filled with the “Nimbyistic” rants from the “Anti Brigade” who are mobilising their forces like some unstoppable juggernaut to stop the Longboat Cafe development. They have commissioned reports on the visual impact, they have tried to get the building listed by English Heritage and they are attempting to use every weapon in the Nimby’s armoury to put the mockers on the project. Yet they still insist on circumventing democracy. These people who shout scream and stamp their feet, like spoilt brats who cant get their way, forget that it is they who voted in the councillors whose views they oppose, it is these self same councillors who have allowed other projects planning permission or denied, as the case may be. We have the usual Budleigh small town mentality in evidence, whereby, he with the most money and the biggest mouth, expects to be listened to. It interested me no end, to read of the planning permission for the houses and flats in Clarence Road, an issue which does require attention, does require public protest and does have “safety concerns” over access. Yet where will the Nimbies be over this issue.? I will tell you, they will not be seen, because Clarence Road is “someone else’s back yard”, “someone elses problem” and “normal people” live in Clarence Rd, whereas the “Gin and Tonic swilling Tarquin’s and Felicity’s” with their bijou second homes are only interested in allegedly “not having their view spoilt” from their luxury residences. The rest of us can just “lump it” How many of the anti Longboat complainants live in “original Budleigh Properties” I wonder, in comparison to those who reside in new “luxury apartments” or modern houses, which in their time affected other peoples views or changed the face of Budleighs landscape forever. These people are just hypocrites, who will whine relentlessly about anything that doesn’t suit them, whilst the rest of us who have to work for a living, just have to get on with it. Good luck to the Longboat I hope your application is successful, with a bit of luck democratic process will not be subverted by unelected pressure groups!
