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Injured marine wins battle for bungalow (From The Argus)
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Injured marine wins battle for bungalow
2:02pm Thursday 5th March 2009 in News By Naomi Loomes
Joe Townsend with family
A maimed soldier involved in a high-profile battle with council chiefs over plans to build a specially-adapted bungalow has finally been given the go-ahead.
War hero Joe Townsend, 20, has been told he can now build his dream home on his grandfather David Carter's land.
The soldier had been involved in a stand-off with Wealden District Council in East Sussex after councillors rejected an original bid to build the home on the grounds it would be 'intrusive'.
The rejection prompted tens of thousands of people to rally to Mr Townsend's cause.
Many people said Mr Townsend deserved permission for the property after losing both legs, one completely and one to the knee, after stepping on a mine in February last year while serving in Afghanistan.
The Tory-led council came under increasing pressure as Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron waded in to urge the authority to reconsider its decision.
Councillor Roy Galley, cabinet member for strategic planning and housing delivery said: "There have been significant amendments to both the location and design compared to the previous application, placing it as part of a complex of existing outbuildings.
"We would like to wish Joe Townsend all the best in his new home when it is completed."
Comments(16)
Pontop Pike
says...
3:30pm Thu 5 Mar 09
Draw a line in the sand
Getting bored of this story now, lets wish him well and move on
BBBrighton
says...
4:47pm Thu 5 Mar 09
jagiwatch
says...
4:47pm Thu 5 Mar 09
HE FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY AND PAID A HIGH PRICE, HE DESERVES SOME HOME COMFORTS NOW
WELL DONE AND GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROJECT
tinkywinky
says...
4:50pm Thu 5 Mar 09
GreenGrocer
says...
4:58pm Thu 5 Mar 09
NoWaySeriously
says...
5:23pm Thu 5 Mar 09
There was NO stand-off, it WASN'T a battle.
The first application was NOT suitable. It was returned with a list of things to change in order for it TO be suitable.
He made the changes, the application was then approved.
There is nothing about this story that is remotely interesting or worthwhile. THOUSANDS of planning applications EVERY WEEK get turned down because they are not suitable. They are then accepted a couple of months later as the necessary changes have been made.
I'm sick of this story, and I'm sick of the Argus for turning it in to such a spectacle. NON STORY.
yorkie44
says...
5:58pm Thu 5 Mar 09
feline1
says...
6:00pm Thu 5 Mar 09
pigletstrotters
says...
6:11pm Thu 5 Mar 09
feline1 wrote:No l doubt it ,,but maYbe their relatives living over here on benefits could send them some money ,,OUR MONEY.
will we be building bungalows in Afghanistan and Iraq for all the thousands of civilians whose lives we shattered...? :)
Newsquest
says...
6:15pm Thu 5 Mar 09
yorkie44 wrote:But they don't, he is one of the few lucky ones, there are thousands who are getting shafted by the government, veterans agency and local councils and who cares: Troops out of Afghanistan now!
The real issue here should be that the government should be providing the necessary care for any injured service men.
NoWaySeriously
says...
8:05pm Thu 5 Mar 09
yorkie44 wrote:No-one forced them to join the Army. They chose to fight for their country, they knew to risks.
The real issue here should be that the government should be providing the necessary care for any injured service men.
Don't get me wrong, it's a hell of a vocation to have, but it's a CHOICE. He may not have "chosen" to have his legs blown off, but he would have known the risks of joining the Armed Forces.
jagiwatch
says...
6:58am Fri 6 Mar 09
HAVE ANY OF YOU CONSIDERED FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY ???
NO I THOUGHT NOT...
NoWaySeriously
says...
9:35am Fri 6 Mar 09
jagiwatch wrote:No, because that's not my vocation. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT?
HOW BITTER AND TWISTED
HAVE ANY OF YOU CONSIDERED FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY ???
NO I THOUGHT NOT...
No, I thought not. Don't be a hypocrite now, Mr. Jagiwatch. Lead by example! Go join the Army.
And it's not bitter or twisted. Planning rules are there to stop people from building structures that are unsafe, not in keeping with the area and/or make significant negative impact on those around.
Army personnel or not, he was given information about how to get the application through. Going to the press was just typical of the idiots in today's world.
jagiwatch
says...
12:57pm Fri 6 Mar 09
AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION I AM FEMALE AND HAVE DONE MY BIT FOR THIS COUNTRY...
Bog Vern
says...
6:24pm Fri 6 Mar 09
Planning laws are without doubt the most incomprehensible, perverse and downright confusing set of laws (and the interpretation of) I have ever come across.
Some of the most intellectually sound people have fallen foul of the improbable way that some planners view the law which is completely at odds with different planners in the same office.
To sit there and make such childish comments is quite low in my opinion. Perhaps you get a kick out of being controversial, I don't know - that's up to you.
RAS Putin says...
2:35pm Thu 5 Mar 09