"Church leaders to revive old pub" was headlines of Western Gazette
(Langport and Somerton edition) on Thursday 19th March 2009
If this development is eventually approved by district planners it will be a mortal stake in the heart of Langport's businesses
and community : Langport *needs* the property to remain a traditional commercial public house/inn.
Contemplative Thought for Today
extracted from The Church Commissioners website
"The Church Commissioners do not invest in arms or pornography, or in any company whose main business is in gambling,
alcohol, tobacco or home credit provision"
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SSDC Planning Case Officer Claire Alers-Hankey has issued her report for the Area North Planning Committee which will meet on Wednesday afternoon 24th
February 2010 (at approx 4.00pm) in Edgar Hall, Somerton, to consider the application by Huish Episcopi and Langport Religious Education and Resources Trust.
To view application, click "I Agree Proceed" button and then insert 09/04274/FUL in planning application box at head of page.
As webmaster, Clive Keeble takes strong issue with many of the conclusions from Ms Alers-Hankey ; an email was sent to her on February 17th, copied to SSDC
District Cllr Roy Mills, as well as SSDC economic development officers Charlotte Jones and Gerard Tucker.
Case Officer Ms Alers Hankey concluded ".....(this application) will contribute to the continued vitality and viability of the town centre."
Pardon me, m'am, but what utter balderdash; how the heck is charitable Angel project going to contribute to Langport town centre vitality and viability.
As a side issue it is a great pity that a sub editor at The Western Gazette appears to have amended a report (18-02) that reads in the first paragraph
"Plans to convert a Langport pub now owned by the church are set to be approved next week"
This is not a fait accompli, the plans come up for discussion and review and are not set to be merely rubber stamped - so much for the expertise of sub-editors !
Back to the main planning and change of use issue ; this Angel project was mooted, as we all know, without prior consultation of Langport businesses and
residents. By now Rev Hugh Ellis will probably have realised that this project is doomed to ultimate failure ; how, in the long term, is this project going to be
funded. The planners might pass the planning application + change of use but they cannot turn water into wine ; projected expenditure is certain to exceed funds.
In a strange way this bears comparison with The Jezreels in Gillingham - I well remember that ruin from childhood.
At the present time in this country there many projects to help the vulnerable and needy in seriously depressed areas of this country which are deprived facilities
and grant aid funding. In the 1930's H.V.Morton wrote "I saw two Englands" : today there are such as comparatively wealthy Langport and struggling Redcar.
Which area would you think deserves "community grants aids" when funds are very limited ?
Clive Sills, yes that's the one, the St Mary's Church Warden appears to have been the main person responsible for the Angel project. Sweets for anyone ??
The Angel project is a step too far and meets with almost total opposition from Langport businesses and residents : if the plans are approved I would place it on a
par with the 1962 "loss" of The George Hotel in Yeovil.
There are many questions still to be answered, but first Langport waits to hear the findings of SSDC area north district planning committee on 24th February 2010
Keeble did not bother to attend the meeting ; however reports suggest that South Somerset District Councillors unaminously passed the change of use on The
Custom House / Angel Inn - apparently the councillors thought it was a marvellous scheme.
So much for local democracy when the plans were totally rejected by Langport Town Council as well as so many Langport residents and businesses.
Where will the funding come from ?
IF THIS PROJECT RECEIVES ANY FUNDING FROM SOUTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL THERE WILL BE SERIOUS QUESTIONS ASKED FOR
THIS PROJECT MET WITH NO APPROVAL FROM THE TOWN.
Keeble was also interviewed on BBC Radio Somerset Breakfast programme (Sat 6th March 0720 am) at the invitation of presenter Simon Parkin
Why does Langport have the highest domestic rates in South Somerset for year 2010-2011 , is the local church partially responsible ?
The answer would have been revealed on air but Simon Parkin ended the interview early.
Clive Keeble - (webmaster) - who holds the copyright of the above image
c/o Keeble Antiques
Cheapside
Langport
Somerset TA10 9PW
Tel : 01458 259627
email : clivekeeble@btconnect.com
last updated 0720 9th March 2010