We went down to Monks Bay on Saturday morning to offer help with the beach clean. It was great to see so many people involved and amazing how much had been shifted within the first hour.
What was surprising though, was that within moments of arriving, I was approached by Sean Strevens from Cheetah Marine. I’d barely had to time to bend down and start picking up the rubbish.
We talked for sometime about the Eastern Esplanade application,
and Sean went on to say that this is causing a big divide in the town. At the time we weren’t clear, but on reflection, we were wondering whether the inference was that the divide was down to being caused by VentnorBlog.
If this is the case, we find it a pretty disturbing line of thought.
We’ve heard that the rumour mill in Ventnor has been busy with stories that the CPRE is split over this issue (all unfounded), so let’s hope this not a game of divide and conquer.
If, as Sean says, there is a divide in town, it’s because the majority of people feel that it is wrong for public land to be sold to a commercial entity at rock bottom prices and build an industrial unit next to a kiddies paddling pool – you only have to read the comments on the council planning site to see that.
Let’s be clear, VentnorBlog Forum is about providing a space for these types of issues (of public interest) to be discussed. It just so happens that the majority of people who have commented about Cheetah Marine’s plans are against the proposal. Of course, there are some people in support and they have just as much right to add their comments (including Cheetah Marine). So far only a couple have chosen to do so.
The upshot of the conversation was that Sean would like to opportunity to put his case across on the blog.
He felt that they had dropped the ball in not publicising enough about what they do – although having seen several pieces in the County Press and SW Chronic, I don’t think they can be accused of that.
As you know, we like to remain balanced on the blog and therefore will be popping up to the industrial estate to see him later today for a chat, which will be recorded and podcast later in the week.
