Petersfield Area
Community Trust

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Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen

This last year has been one of change... a word that has been on everyone's lips across the world in recent months. The current financial flux has meant that the proposed Community Centre due to be built on Harvest Way now looks to be delayed. It is due to be part of a much larger complex of commercial units and housing and will only ever proceed if these other structures are completed... so we can only hope that these plans are 'on hold' and not abandoned.

Whilst on planning matters, there are two general planning issues I want to mention.

First, perhaps as a result of the credit crunch, Petersfield has experienced the submission of increasing numbers of planning applications that have been refused on grounds of overdevelopment (among others). It has become common for repeated applications for the same site to be submitted - and refused. It means that residents have to remain extra-vigilant and be prepared to comment again and again.

Secondly, I want to stress that residents - and residents' associations can and do make a difference in the planning process. To mention just two major cases, PACT was successful in having the approval of Citylife's plans for the Howard Mallett site quashed, and the Planning Committee subsequently refused Citylife's resubmitted application. The case is now under appeal. Also, I want to congratulate Riverside area residents on the success of their campaign in forcing developers of the Brunswick site to make a u-turn as regards their proposals for traffic management in the Riverside area, which necessitated a drastic revision of the developers' plans.

PACT encourages Peterfield residents to get involved in the planning process and is always happy to advise residents on planning matters.

Another word that I want to use is 'Thanks'

Thanks to Anna Lindsay, who organised this year's Summer Event, which saw over 400 people from the local community entertained, wined and dined, raising nearly £1300 in the process from a Charity Auction and Tombola.

Thanks also to local businesses that contributed so much and to the Chinese Community who gave us their spectacular 'Lion Dance' and to St Matthew's School singers who performed so well for us.

Thanks to Dorothy Runnicles for her work in this year's Cambridgeshire Celebrates Age, with many events happening here in Petersfield. Dorothy also arranged a meeting titled Community Organisations in the 21st Century, which had 3 key speakers, two regional and one national, talking about how to best use the new Sustainable Communities Act. We came away from that meeting with lots of hope and maybe it is something that we can discuss at this evening's Open Forum.

Thanks also to the many PACT helpers for getting publications out and for being there when we needed you, especially Hilary Reed, who worked hard to put together our ImPACT magazine.

Finally, special thanks to Glenys Malyon, who is today standing down from her role of Trustee in PACT. Glenys has worked very hard for over ten years to bring issues to the attention of the local Council, County Council and residents. Glenys intends to stay on in our planning sub-committee, but as she cannot be here this evening, I have some 'Thank you' cards if anyone here would like to sign them which I shall hand over to Glenys together with a large bouquet of flowers later this week.

So I finish this evening with a plea. For anyone who thinks that it is impossible to shape the future of your neighbourhood, then think again. We need to work collectively, share information, share hopes and dreams. You have seen what PACT has done in the past... help us make things happen for your future and for the well being of your community

Thank you.