Undercliff Drive residents will fight on

Press Release: October 26^th, 2005   

The Undercliff Defence Committee has today repeated its warnings over the impacts of the controversial A3055 Undercliff Drive scheme, and has made it clear that, contrary to recent speculation by vested interest groups, it is not going away any time soon.
 
Speaking in the aftermath of its recent Judicial Review proceedings, Dr Paul K Hatchwell of the Undercliff Defence Committee pointed out that suggestions to the effect that it had lost its case against Isle of Wight Council were far from the truth: "We had, and still have a very good case, but the enormous costs involved proved much greater than expected, and as a small public interest group we simply could not expose members to the financial risks of a further stage. It was for this reason only that we formally notified the Council of our intention to withdraw and agreed to end this particular process."
 
"The episode has at least succeeded in showing just how costly it has become for communities to achieve a fair hearing in England's current system of environmental justice, and has highlighted the urgent need for democratic reform of the planning process."
 
Dr Hatchwell also pointed out that a Judicial Review, could only address a number of narrow, albeit important procedural issues, and that "voluntarily withdrawing from it in no way affected the wider environmental, technical and economic criticisms of the Undercliff Drive realignment and drainage scheme. It was merely the end of the beginning".
 
"Proponents of the A3055 scheme have completely failed to satisfy concerned residents who fear that it will have a devastating impact on nationally and internationally threatened habitats and species, that it will damage the unique scenery of the Undercliff, disrupt its sensitive hydrology, threaten subsidence and prove to be unsustainable economically and environmentally. Nor have they provided any assurances that the project will not necessitate further costly and damaging works outside the current areas discussed, including the possible extension of coastal defences into unspoilt sections of coastline."
 
"It is for these reasons that we have given our full backing to MEP Dr Caroline Lucas in her decision to refer the matter to the European Commission. We also insist that the scheme, including all its potential later additions, be subjected to a rigorous Strategic Environmental Assessment in line with that required for the forthcoming Local Transport Plan, so that its full impact on our rich heritage can be appreciated."
 
The group also said it fully supports the independent campaigns by landowners who are now fighting compulsory purchase orders along the route.
 
"The economic case made was also very weak, and was completely inadequate in the way it addressed alternative solutions. We continue to be disturbed at the way Councillors have given the impression the road is still closed, and are very disappointed at the way Cllr. Scoccia has failed to listen to legitimate concerns from her own constituents. As our representative for Ventnor West, we would remind her of her duty to rise above sectarian interests and represent all sincerely held points of view along the Undercliff. We have offered to meet with Council members even before the legal challenge, but at no stage have Councillors been prepared to openly discuss the full implications of the scheme.”

"The Undercliff Defence Committee remains steadfast in its resolve to fight this misguided scheme, and will continue to expose the ill-conceived assumptions on which it is based. Rumours of our death from certain quarters have been greatly exagerrated". 

Note to Editors:

The Undercliff Defence Committee is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by charitable donations and subscriptions, active through the individual voluntary work effort of its supporters, with the following purposes: 

• To encourage an informed and active interest in the local environment in both residents and visitors, and in particular the preservation of the Undercliff area at Niton, St Lawrence and Ventnor in the Isle of Wight.

• To work for the protection and conservation of the Undercliff area, its tranquillity, landscape and natural resources, including water sources, flora and fauna.

• To assist in the protection of buildings and other relevant features natural or man-made, and to co-operate with other local and national bodies with similar interests.

• To support and encourage a sustainable approach to transport, recognising in particular the ground instability of the Undercliff area, and so far as practicable to encourage the use of appropriate restrictions on vehicular traffic, particularly of heavy vehicles, in the Undercliff area.

• To promote and encourage the sustainable use of the Undercliff for the enjoyment of local people and visitors alike, notably through carefully managed rambling, cycling and field study activities in a way that benefits both nearby communities and tourists, thus providing further incentive for these people to become involved in the protection of the Undercliff and its future.

Undercliff Defence Committee contacts: 

Dr Paul K Hatchwell: 01983 855458: Barbara Wright: 01983 730455

*Planning Application for Stabilisation and Realignment of A3055 between St Lawrence and Niton, Isle of Wight (TCP/26467/A - P/01467/04 & TCP/26467/ - P/01465/04)    

  Home     Contact UDC: +44(0)1983 730455;  +44(0)1983 856688   Email: post@undercliff.org