Lib Dems claim email tries to "skew" stadium consultation (From Bucks Free Press)
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Lib Dems claim email tries to "skew" stadium consultation
4:27pm Monday 25th October 2010 in News By Lawrence Dunhill
Adams Park
WANDERERS and Wasps have strongly hit back after Liberal Democrat councillors claimed they tried to influence the public consultation to an ‘unacceptable level’.
Steve Guy, the Lib Dem leader on Wycombe District Council, said he was concerned by an email sent out by Wycombe Sports Development Ltd (WSDL), the organisation set up by the clubs to oversee the project.
Last month the clubs announced they wanted a new stadium at Wycombe Air Park in Booker.
The email was sent to those registering with WSDL to hear more about its plans.
The email urges people to take part in the consultation and adds: “Please join us and back Booker now”.
It also includes a link to the council website and instructions to “select option D 'sports village'” and “When you go to Question 4, select the option for Wycombe Air Park”.
A press release from the Lib Dems quotes Cllr Guy as saying: “I have been contacted by a resident who received this email and they were concerned at what is a clear attempt to skew the results of the consultation in favour of the Booker site.”
But Mike Brooks, of WSDL, hit back saying at no point had WSDL attempted to skew the consultation and added: “To suggest this is untrue and unfounded.
“When people have registered on our website, we have asked them to support our position and directed them to the council's online form to fill in if they wish to do so.
“At the same time we have explained how to show their support for our plans, again if they want to do so.
“This is an open public consultation process and it is right and proper that we make our voices heard so that the stadium and sports village proposal can progress to the next stage of design and further consultation.
“Since the council short-listed three sites we have been clear in all our communication that only Booker allows for the community stadium and sports village.”
Comments(22)
wayneo
says...
4:58pm Mon 25 Oct 10
Did they not sign an agreement with WDC to work together on this project, I think a legal challenge to this chirade is inevitable.
cressex blue
says...
5:43pm Mon 25 Oct 10
"Bullying" is how the Trust described Steve Hayes and his actions when he took over the club.
maxy11
says...
5:46pm Mon 25 Oct 10
Welwyn Dowd
says...
6:46pm Mon 25 Oct 10
Farmer Pickles
says...
7:08pm Mon 25 Oct 10
Welwyn Dowd wrote:I see that Welywyn Dowd (aka Big ****?) still doesn't get that the coalition is in NATIONAL government and there is no coalition at local level.
I see this Press Release from the LibDems as an attempt to skew the gullible into believing they are not in coalition with the Tories. They are Cameron & Clarke's bedfellows (the image is disturbing, I know) and go through the motions of opposition when they are in fact in full support.
Coalitions can work very well in local authorities but Lesley Clarke stated last week that as a life long Tory she would never agree with a Lib Dem, a very mature and constructive attitude don't you think?
So as it is the Wycombe Lib Dems continue to be a very effective opposition in Wycombe, unlike Labour who have all but disappeared from the council chamber.
ivor
says...
7:16pm Mon 25 Oct 10
~
It's about time the stadium plans were dropped and the rugby team told to get out of our town.
~
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page.
u5r23
says...
9:20pm Mon 25 Oct 10
When I received this email I contacted the BFP because I was so disguted, and now the words of Mike Brook's has angered me even more!
chris740
says...
9:22pm Mon 25 Oct 10
gungun
says...
11:46pm Mon 25 Oct 10
Disgraceful
swearmeister
says...
7:23am Tue 26 Oct 10
"Just say no to Booker"
When are the next round of local elections? I suspect there will be a good number of seats changing hands.
readerabc
says...
8:30am Tue 26 Oct 10
he is like a spoilt brat used to getting his own way at all costs
STOP THE STADIUM!!
wayneo
says...
9:15am Tue 26 Oct 10
swearmeister wrote:The Council have drafted this consultation in order that one of the options A B C or D appear to be the only choices one has, NONE, features at the bottom, out of site and there is a good reason for that.
There is another option. It's called Adams Park. "Just say no to Booker" When are the next round of local elections? I suspect there will be a good number of seats changing hands.
Most people who are against the stadium, not seeing NONE as an option, would choose A, Adams' Park, were this (as I suspect it will), be chosen as the prominent choice, then the Council will likely proclaim that quite evidently, a stadium is what people want therefore we might as well go with the option at Booker.
It's a very devious and disgraceful way to behave but it's how Councils up and down the Country get their own way. Like I said, a legal challenge is likely to ensue however a Parish referendum would be the most persuasive means of showing this consultation for the joke it really is.
Slimster
says...
11:27am Tue 26 Oct 10
Farmer Pickles wrote:Well said Farmer Pickles.
Welwyn Dowd wrote:I see that Welywyn Dowd (aka Big ****?) still doesn't get that the coalition is in NATIONAL government and there is no coalition at local level.
I see this Press Release from the LibDems as an attempt to skew the gullible into believing they are not in coalition with the Tories. They are Cameron & Clarke's bedfellows (the image is disturbing, I know) and go through the motions of opposition when they are in fact in full support.
Coalitions can work very well in local authorities but Lesley Clarke stated last week that as a life long Tory she would never agree with a Lib Dem, a very mature and constructive attitude don't you think?
So as it is the Wycombe Lib Dems continue to be a very effective opposition in Wycombe, unlike Labour who have all but disappeared from the council chamber.
+
We need to get behind the Lib Dems in the upcoming elections. The biggest challenge is explaining to those who vote Conservative by default what their vote actually means.
Save Wycombe
says...
11:41am Tue 26 Oct 10
Agniesca
says...
11:49am Tue 26 Oct 10
Agniesca
says...
11:51am Tue 26 Oct 10
JP80
says...
11:57am Tue 26 Oct 10
.
Hardly fair on a club that has been in Wycombe for nearly 125 years
.
nostadiumatbooker.or
g.uk
gungun
says...
12:37pm Tue 26 Oct 10
We're backing Booker and we need your help.
Wycombe District Council is currently carrying out a public consultation and is considering three sites for the new Stadium. Of these only Booker will allow us to deliver the new community stadium and sports village and bring all of the benefits to the Club and surrounding community, and to a quality that the town of Wycombe deserves.
The process ends on the 29th October,so we urgently need your support to take these ambitions to the next stages of the councilâ?Ts planning process.
This link will take you directly to the Council's online consultation pages where you can make your views easily known. Please join us and back Booker now by:
Clicking here to go to the Council's consultation and information pages
You will then be taken through a series of five questions:
on Question 2, select option D 'sports village'.
When you go to Question 4, select the option for Wycombe Air Park.
You could also complete answers to the other questions and you will be given the opportunity to add additional comments before submitting your response. Your support can make all the difference. By backing Booker, you can help make this vision of a fantastic new sports and community facility come a step closer.
Thank you
Mike Brooks
Chief Executive
WSDL
HOW IS THIS FREEDOM OF CHOICE? DISGUSTING
gungun
says...
12:39pm Tue 26 Oct 10
From: lawrence.dallaglio
Sent: 20/10/2010 20:02 CET
Subject: Calling all Wasps - Wycombe Community Stadium & Sports Village
As a valued Supporter of London Wasps I am writing to follow up on the recent news of our vision to build a new community stadium and sports village for London Wasps and the local community.
Wycombe Sports Developments Ltd (WSDL) is looking to develop a new stadium and sports village at Wycombe Air Park at Booker, which would provide modern facilities that the Club needs in order to protect and enhance its position on the world stage.
We are now asking for your help to make this happen.
The aspirations of the Club and the experience we provide are both severely limited by our current ground. Facilities are not keeping pace with our rivals and accessibility before and after the game is an inherent problem. We need to develop in order to keep Wasps a leading force in professional rugby and this new stadium and sports village is key to making that happen.
London Wasps has provided more England players than any other Club side in the professional era and has won everything there is to win in the domestic league and European cup arena - we need facilities that reflect and further support our standing in the game.
From a supporters’ perspective this April we saw 60,000 supporters come to the St Georges Day game at Twickenham and like you, we would like to provide conditions that will see more fans both locally and across the country coming to watch Wasps week in, week out.
It’s not just about a new stadium though – it is much more than that. In addition our training and academy facilities will also be located on site, our schools and community programmes will have permanent platform to grow beyond the 100,000 young people we see each year and our transport infrastructure would be vastly improved to ease congestion, but even more than that a new sports village will be created for the whole community, increasing sports participation in various sports across the District.
The consultation period has already started and Wycombe District Council is currently considering three sites for the new Stadium. Of these only Booker will allow us to bring all of these benefits to the Club and surrounding community. The process ends on the 29th October, so we urgently need your support to take these ambitions to the next stages of the council’s planning process.
Please visit www.wycombecommunity
stadium.com where you can read more about the project, register your details, learn how to complete the Council’s questionnaire and give us your support.
Please also forward this email to your work colleagues, friends and family if they would like to support us too.
In the meantime I would like to personally thank you for your continued support of London Wasps, and urge you to take action now and register your support for this fantastic scheme – please spread the word!
Yours sincerely
gpn01
says...
1:14pm Tue 26 Oct 10
Well, if you want to provide facilities for 60,000 fans you're not going to want a measly 20,000 seater stadium are you? Maybe London Wasps should find a larger venue that will better accomodate their aspirations?
hondo
says...
1:13am Wed 27 Oct 10
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I can't believe what I'm reading.
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Surely it is only the electors of Wycombe who have a voice in the "consultation".
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This smacks of Hitler invading Poland.
BigTommy says...
4:41pm Mon 25 Oct 10
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Remember that this is a big thing for Hayes and Wasps ... it means getting their hands on a brand new stadium for next to nothing. The fact the everybody in Wycombe is going to have to fund it so that Mr Hayes can remain a multi-millionaire is beside the point.
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Is there any chance of the BFP looking into this matter ... or are they just going to"report" the comments of the Lib Dems and the denial of Wasps and stay clear or looking into the matter any further (like Mr Hayes would prefer them to do).