Wye Worry?

At present Wye has a balanced social mix which has evolved over many hundreds of years. Families, houses, organisations and businesses co-exist and are mutually supportive. However, the scale of Imperial's proposed development is breathtaking; if built, the village would become unrecognisable.

Deputy Rector, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz presented Imperial's Vision for Wye at a meeting on Monday, 9th January 2006 at Swanley Hall, Withersdane, Wye. He was greeted by a packed hall of 550 local residents.

People are waking up to the idea that prime agricultural land could be covered with housing to raise the necessary funds for development of a "science park", and see the plans as "massive property development and industrialisation which will ruin our village".

Imperial College claims it "is good for Imperial, good for Wye, good for Ashford and Kent, and is great for Britain".

While this all sounds very grand, the benefits to Wye and surrounding villages remain unclear.

Many Wye residents would be more than happy to take Imperial up on their 'all or nothing' threat. Fewer than 50 people from the village are currently employed on the campus even in a support capacity. If Imperial pulls out and the premises are taken over by another institution such as the University of Kent at Canterbury or Canterbury Christ Church University, this is likely to generate more, not less employment.

The following Journal records the debate. Please refer to the resources page for comprehensive background documentation including the Wye Concordat, planning representations, letters, emails, press reports and statements.

This is an open forum for all interested parties who wish to have a voice. Please be courteous at all times and give at least your name. Thank you for taking part.

Comments are welcomed from Sir Richard Sykes, Rector, Imperial College London, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Deputy Rector, staff and students at Imperial College; Paul Clokie, Leader, Ashford Borough Council; Paul Carter, Leader, Kent County Council; John Hodder, Chairman, Wye Parish Council; Borough, County and Parish Councillors and spokespersons; residents of Wye and surrounding villages; concerned organisations and individuals.

Posted by Wye Web Site Co-ordinator

228 comments added to the Journal since Monday, December 12, 2005


Wye Concordat Journal

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 10:57 - IP Logged
To all the various recent contributors...yawn, anon, harry, mrs marks etc. please remember we are not out of the woods yet, on the whole Imperial College Vision, and all the other 'grand projects' up and down the country.In our own locality of Wye, and the Borough of Ashford ,where we still have Charter House unoccupied, large chunks of empty office space, the now to be under-used Ashford International Station, a still unfinished Stour Leisure Centre...millions of Local Rate Payers money overspent....this is probably a familar story up and down the country!The local elections are next May, and although not all these problems can be laid at the Council Door...they do have some influence over local isues...so all you contributors, think carefully before you put your cross against a candidate ie do not vote purely on party political lines, but for the candidate that offers a more constructive policy on local isues, which in the end is what local or national politics is all about.

Comments by mike from Philippines on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 08:59 - IP Logged
no comments

Comments by ANON DETECTER from Hastingleigh on Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 19:55 - IP Logged
Anon 2 don't worry Imperials land can be used for that portly security guard to drive their 4x4 erratically until it breaks and then provide local employment to fix it.

Comments by Mrs Marks from England on Monday, September 18, 2006 at 17:41 - IP Logged
I read with interest the article in the Saturday Telegraph confimring the Imperial College plans have been rejected and wanted to congratulate the Wye Future Group on their lobbying. I live in an AONB in North Yorkshire and are fighting a plan to build a medium secure unit and associated buildings in the area - incidentally in an area that is also a SSSI. I agree we need progress but surely the whole point of an AONB is to protect the environement and urban developement should be in urban areas not where it will irrevocably change the rural environment. Surely a Science Park would be better located closer to sources of staff?

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Monday, September 18, 2006 at 07:06 - IP Logged
so what are imperial gona do with all the 800 acres and college site??

Comments by Yawn from Wye on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 23:55 - IP Logged
I'm glad that's over and done with !

Comments by Harry from England on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 14:55 - IP Logged
Every where across the country there are more and more of these dreadful business/science parks and these heartless housing estates. They destroy once beautiful traditional villages, which are continually growing de to new housing, and destroy Englands ever dwindling countryside. Instead of eroding land in the middle of the countryside, why cant they develop these repulsive housing estates on the edge of a town instead of destroying rural countryside.

Comments by Dr M Page from Ashford on Monday, September 04, 2006 at 09:09 - IP Logged
At last the penny has dropped.It seems the Collier Report( Save-Wye )has come to the same conlusion.

Comments by Dr P from Ashford on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 16:17 - IP Logged
Todays 'Times' carries a suppliment on the wonders of Science Parks. One head line reads 'Don't confuse Science Parks with Business Parks', too late Ashford has already done that. This is followed by a glowing report on the Sittingbourne site. A handfull of acountants, ware houses and a guy who builds sports cars is all I see of it. If you could see what is going on in the far east, as I have over 40 years, you would realize what a waste of time, talk and money the British effort is. Fine words count for for nothing, which is all I hear. Trying to make a science centre in Kent is like making a silk purse out of a pigs ear.
There have been numerous attempts to jump start Ashford from the missing link to the international station. There was even, 12 or so years, ago an Economic Tsar taken on by the local council. I beleive he came from behind the former iron curtain, very knowlegable about local industry I heard! Lets face it Ashford and Kent are a high tech dead loss.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 10:14 - IP Logged
just a reply to Mr B....taking time out from one of the worst harvests in recent years, sodden fields, costly drying of wet grain,late drilling for next years harvest, an unknown future price for the wheat.... I see in todays papers that the English Countryside is now under threat from several new horrors...our own Imperial College Project, Sports Stadium on the Sussex Downs, By-passes in the Lake District..and the relentless drive to build more houses everywhere...so do not give up yet, and go to sleep or you will probably wake up one day to find some by-pass rumbling over head, and another thousand houses around you!

Comments by Mr B from Wye on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 22:53 - IP Logged
Giles I don't disagree with you third world countries are corrupt and war stricken, but you fail to see the point the very fact they remain like that suits us,the banks,corporations and western governments, for without their corruption and suffering how would we maintain our lifestyles ? We can only live like we do because we choose to ignore them. We ring fence ourselves in thinking we are protecting our way of life. It's a fantasy Giles, A fantasy that we have and right up to the end will believe is nothing to do with us(it's always someone elses fault),then it will be too late. You and I benefit greatly from trading with these corrupt third world countries and the corrupt people in them, thats why we get such a bargain when it comes to using their natural resources up, when these natural resources are completely exhausted and the world is a desert do you really think that our green and pleasant land will remain the way it is, it may very well not happen in our life time true, but trouble is not as distant in the future as we choose to imagine.
As for our countryside has it really changed "for the better" ? Like I said it's un-natural mile upon mile upon mile of the same fields, hedge rows and copses any where you go in the country you see the same or virtually the same landscape. If you look at the age of most of the trees in the woodland that surrounds Wye I would estimate none of it is over 60 or 70 years old.
Oh well I am wasting my time here let us continue to live our blinkered fantasy filled lives. Research is good if it benefits all and what an achievement if here in Wye we found the way to benefit all. I won't comment on here any more. I know what I am up against ! Yawn !

Comments by Giles Kingsley-Pallant from United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 16:54 - IP Logged
In reply to Mr Badger, firstly Wye as it was despite its finances had record student numbers in the final years before the Imperial Takeover. This project was always on the cards and was often spoken about as rumour. With the takeover came low numbers and yet all the many shops have survived just fine, not I believe thanks to the current college owners. May I also suggest that you miss the very point about our countryside? England’s green and pleasant land has been changed by mans intervention and many would argue for the better, as we have a patchwork of different and very small habitats making up the larger countryside. If woodland had prevailed across the UK, the species count would be much less. Ester Boserup suggested: "Nature is the mother of all invention" and she believes the world will sustain us through time. This is highlighted by short cropping high yield wheat varieties, drought resistant plants etc. All these are being developed now and have been for years, and are available worldwide. The third world suffers not from famine from poor technology, but the instability of governments, war and corruption. Eliminate those evils and much of the world can feed itself. Lastly, the research park is only the tip of the iceberg; it’s the housing to pay for all this and for what? Research we don’t need where office and R&D space sits empty in Cambridge, a long time leader in agronomy.

Comments by Jay Ogilvy from London on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 22:58 - IP Logged
It is a shame that the standard of comments on this site has taken a turn for the worse recently and, in the main, does little or nothing to progress the very serious issues at stake.
It appears some are using this facility as a stage on which to deliver a cacophony of somewhat infantile commentary.
Since December last year this site has been an excellent forum for sensible comment and it is hoped this will return.

Comments by Dr P from Ashford on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 13:12 - IP Logged
It seems our salvation may lie in one of the lowest forms of life, Cloatridium Acetobutylium. This humble form can convert sugar beet into butyl alcohol better known as the fuel Butanol, giving us a closed carbon cycle. Perhaps this should be planted instead of all these proposed houses, it would certainly be a lot less obtrusive than all that elephant grass. There are a number of vacant allotments in Wye so perhaps the residents could set an example if only as a gesture. So come on, get planting.

Comments by Dr D from Canterbury on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 12:24 - IP Logged
Nor can I. Attention to detail is also a common problem, including the capacity to scroll down a page and read previous users comments, thereby appreciating context. Perhaps its time to build a large comprehensive school in Wye? Im sure that would be welcomed. Sorry my mistake, I meant large middle class grammar school.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 08:43 - IP Logged
In the latest report our school leavers are criticized for their inability to communicate politely, confrontational attitude and general bad manners.I can't think where they get it from.

Comments by Dr D. from Canterbury on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 18:19 - IP Logged
Oh dear Mr Law, how old are you exactly? 'u r pathetic?' I know little about your weak NIMBY rantings but I suggest you learn some grammar, punctuation and spelling. Or at the least, grow up.

Comments by Resident from Wye on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 14:07 - IP Logged
I have to agree with Mr B tragic as it is we must look hard at ourselves to protect the environment, to save just Wye is important to those of us that live here yes, but I sometimes think that some individuals in this group or the village can see no futher than Wye Village limits, as long as our green patch is protected we think everything will be alright. I have to agree this isn't the case I live here and can see the affluence that is around the village, big gas gussling cars range rovers jags sports cars etc etc all these things impact heavily on our environment and the rest of the world. We are indeed hippocrites to think that by saving Wye we will be ok.I do believe that maybe it's our affluence we are trying to protect our exclusivity and not the general environment as a whole. I will point out I am as guilty as the rest of them and do drive a rather large gas gussler.

Comments by Mr B from Wye on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 13:57 - IP Logged
Jo, I see to a certain extent where you are coming from, but progress has to be made into researching ways to halt our ever growing demand on the natural world and un-ending destruction of the greater world beyond just where we live. Wye is but a speck of dust compared to the destruction you and I cause indirectly upon peoples and places accross the globe, we drive cars we consume huge amounts of goods and services which we take it all for granted, we all know the figures about disappearing rain forests, desertfication of areas that were once fertile, global warming the list is endless. The country we live in is not even a natural environment it looks green and pleasant but well as history shows the countryside we have around us is false, man destroyed the original along with a lot of it's fauna and flora and shaped the new landscape we see around us for himself, to save a tiny portion of this unnatural world is pointless when the "real" natural world is disapperaing at an alarming rate.
I am sure a lot of commuters from the village work for companies which directly or indirectly rape the planet in order to fill their nests with the latest goods and gas gussling cars. These companies abuse the indiginous populations of third world countries because they are far away enough not to matter(this research could help them too).When you look on the face if it we are all hippocrites to save Wye is irrelevent if you and I continue to lead the gluttonous lives we live at the expense of the 5 billion others we don't seem to give a damn about, one day those irrelevent billions will come knocking at our doors demanding justice for our abuse or their natural environment, what are we going to tell them ? If you put as much effort into saving the rest of the world as you do stopping Imperial then we wouldn't need a Research Park.But I feel I am wasting my breathe here do we really want to give up our cushy life ? The answer is NO,we falsely believe it will go on forever.

Comments by Jo from Wye on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 14:18 - IP Logged
Mr Badger, you won't be so happy when you and your four-legged friends find your nice sets have been dug in by the Imperial fleet of bulldozers. You say you are happy to share the countryside with other humans, but what 'countryside' will it be when it's got a huge industrial estate and thousands of identikit Barrat homes on it? That's a lot more than 'tidying up and renewal' - to me, that's the real vandalism. The actual badgers will be the first to leave.
Yes, Wye is well provided for in terms of facilities, and yes, this is thanks in part to the existence of Wye College. But a friend of mine lives in a village barely a fraction the size of Wye that can still support a Co-op, 2 pubs, an excellent butcher and a grocer/deli: even if the college were to close entirely, you still wouldn't have to trek to Tesco for your weekly shop. Sure, it would make it harder to sustain so many local businesses - and I want them to survive as much as you - but you exaggerate to make other people afraid of what might happen if Imperial left.
As for the banks... well that's fine and dandy if you are around on a weekday morning but I would guess the majority of Wye residents who aren't either retired, unemployed or students already have to trek to a branch in Ashford on a Saturday morning if they want to go to a bank that's actually open, no?

Comments by pete law from England on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 14:09 - IP Logged
badger or who ever u r if u have the bottle to put ur real name up on the site then do so but i doubt u will u r pathetic.

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 12:56 - IP Logged
hi im still here when is the next saturday market with your stand??
like badgers way of thinking!!

Comments by Mr Badger from Wye on Sunday, August 13, 2006 at 22:11 - IP Logged
Hi I am BADGER the black and white stripey creature,it annoys me how you village people complain and complain about the college or is it whinge whinge whinge whinge. You must be the only village in the country with two banks a post office a butchers a chemist and a Coop even a hair dressers(thanks for doing the highlights by the way wink wink you know who you are) which you obviously take for granted.I use these facilties every week and am thankful to the college for being here otherwise i'd have to trudge 5 miles to tesco to get my weekly shopping. I don't want the college to leave the village as all these facilities would go with it. My Set overlooks the college and all i see it crappy run down buildings I am looking forward to a bit of modernisation a tidying up of college property and renewal. I am quite happy to share my countryside with the human population and on behalf of the wildlife in the area we were here first and well we want a bit of new developement.I did hear that University of Kent students are coming here next year OH MY GOD you will have some whinging to do when they wreck your village like they wreck Canterbury City Centre and the surrounding areas everynight in their drunken stupor. I moved my set from Canterbury a few years ago I just couldn't stand the amount of vandalism. Now if UKC were to take over the college well I think I'd leave the country.
Thank You
Regards
Bertie.

Comments by Jo from Wye on Friday, August 11, 2006 at 16:20 - IP Logged
Fiona, it's not off - BP were never "in" but if they are to be in, it'll now be in London. Which means Imperial want to sell their Wye land for as much as they can to fund their activities elsewhere - plain old asset stripping - and they are still dreaming of housing estates, business parks and big bucks. Starbucks too, no doubt.

Comments by Fiona from Chartham on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 14:19 - IP Logged
I have finally got hold of someone from our parish council, she'd been on her hols- so can't complain!! She informed me that she had heard that the development is off as BP had pulled out- if this is the case, but if not there is misinformation out there. I have told her we MUST do something and I'm going to get the parish to not be so inward looking in their out look. She did mention a public meeting so that's a start!!! Please can you let me know before Tuesday as it's the parish meeting.
Many thanks

Comments by Jay Ogilvy from London on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 18:03 - IP Logged
Beware of Imperial.
Whilst unable to realise its grand vision on a substantial chunk of its landholding, alot of it on AONB land,it is continuing to pretend to ABC that all is well in order to get a favourable LDF outcome that would encourage a Developer to pay big bucks!
Every effort should be made to ensure ABC is not fooled - although after the Concordat debacle who knows?

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 18:58 - IP Logged
Welcome back 'Andy Williams' it is so nice to have the well known American Singer taking an interest in the local problems of an English Village...iam sure you do not mind what developments take place in our remaining countryside, as long as there is the promise of 'thousands of jobs', guess if you are corresponding from some Californian Mansion its ok, but the residents of Wye and District have to live with any massive development that goes ahead! Once again WFG will have their stall at the Saturday Farmers Market in Wye tomorrow, so 'Andy' if you were passing through 'little old England' you could always drop by to say 'hello'...unfortunately i will not be there tomorrow morning, but plenty of other WFG members will be only to pleased to talk to you...maybe you could sing one of your old numbers on the green!

Comments by amanda williams from Ashford on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 17:57 - IP Logged
I'm sorry to visit again and find that you are still being extremely rude to people who do not agree with your point of view regarding any development of Imperial College.
I myself have been accused of being 'undercover' and also of being anon 1,2 or any of the other ids used on this forum.
I am not surprised that some people wish to remain anonymous having seen and experienced the way they are responded to.
I personally do not mind what happens with the development but I would be grateful as would a large number of others for the jobs that would be created and the housing that will be built. We live in an expanding town and have to expect development of villages and surrounding areas.
I would like to ask whether anyone here has been involved in any other of the developments around Ashford,such as the Orbital and Eureka business parks and the rail link or is it just developments in your village that you have a problem with?

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 12:04 - IP Logged
At last night's meeting with the Deputy Rector we had the excellent Richard Honey from Boughton Aluph Parish Council, and now we have the concerned lady from Chartham,so Wye Residents are starting to get the message out that any large scale developments around Wye will effect not just the immediate area, but most of the surounding Parish's and Districts as well...WFG have a stall again this Saturday morning at Wye Farmers Market, so anyone reading this website who is still unaware of the projected Imperial College Vision, should come along and be briefed on the current state of play.

Comments by John Morris from Wye on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 08:59 - IP Logged
Well done Fiona.At last someone from the surrounding villages is seeing that the threat from Imperial will effect more than just Wye.

Comments by Fiona from Chartham on Monday, July 24, 2006 at 11:41 - IP Logged
I've just contacted our parish council to find out what action we as an area are going to take to help Wye fight this development. I don't think people realise the impact it is going to have on our area and all the surrounding villages. I for one will be fighting this as much as possible. But with this governments determination to concrete over Kent and big business involved we can win.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Monday, July 03, 2006 at 11:01 - IP Logged
On Saturday morning we managed to sign up another significant number of members for our group, only one disenting voice, a gentleman form Brixton of all places, who muttered about 'nimbies' and farmers chasing walkers of the land with 'shot guns', he disappeared early on, and was replaced by lots of different people offering support....a couple of hikers from Cambridge remarked on the current crop of Science Parks north of the City, and how it has ruined the countryside there!Our Local County Councillor, I noticed, posted a letter in the Box next to our Stall, but did not bother to even to glance in our direction....it is nice to have complete indifference to what could happen in your own Electoral District!

Comments by Ann Sutherland from Wye on Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 22:04 - IP Logged
The 8pm was a typing error we do infact set up at 8am. Apologies for this mistake not surprising though I'm still recovering from geting up at 5.30am!!!And that wasn't to be nasty to people simply the fact there was a job needed doing.

Comments by Ann Sutherland from Wye on Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 21:56 - IP Logged
Ok, unless anon is prepared to come out in the open then it's time to make him/her disappear. Quite easy, may I appeal to all not to reply to any correspondence from anon, it's really not worth it as anon is getting a kick from all this.
Meanwhile may I reassure everyone that
I was helping at the WFG stand this last Saturday and in no way was anyone
nasty. We don't get up at the crack of dawn to complete jobs like dog walking, checking on elderly parents etc in order to be at the Farmers Market by 8pm to set up on a hot sticky morning to be nasty to people.
Our objective is to explain to people that The WFG are a thoroughly responsible group who do not object to Imperial College reinventing themselves
into a successful thriving institution.
WFG would like to see this happen without Imperial taking such a greedy approach to the cost of our beautiful countryside. The people that I work with in WFG are committed passionate
individuals. What profit would there be in giving up our fee time to man our stand and be 'nasty' to people when our objective is to gain support for our cause. Everyone has a right to their opinion and if there are those who disagree with us the people that
worked with me on Saturday Morning would be gracious enough to respect that. I know them all well and am proud to work alongside them.
I would add to this comment that on all of the Saturdays I have helped man the WFG Stand I have met people from Park Farm Ashford who are in dismay at Imperial's College's vision and the possibility that housing may
spread all over the Wye countryside.
The general concern from these good people from Park Farm, is that Wye is the closest place they can hop on a train and escape from their side of Ashford!
Finaly Anon, if you are prepared to meet me head on, face to face pop over to the next Farmer's Market where I promise I will not be nasty to you.
If you are not prepared to do this then....... goodbye.

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Saturday, July 01, 2006 at 13:27 - IP Logged
99.99%? you sure some people of wye seem in favour or on the fence about the project?
havent been away,i saw the stand today and astonished so called adults are so nasty to some people who have a connection to the college.
well at least no science park maybe they sell up and you can have a nice big housing estate like stanhope or nine acres.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 10:55 - IP Logged
I was wondering where members of the Pro-Lobby had disappeared to, now one of this mysterious group has reappeared, again under 'no name'I base my figure of 99.99% on walking around the streets of Wye, talking to people at WFG meeting on Saturday mornings (there is stall this Saturday at Wye Farmers Market),and at our Parish Council Meetings...no I do not work for the Government Statistics Office....just a concerned local resident...please come along this Saturday Morning, I shall be there, and be pleased to talk to the Pro-Lobby.
Also on another website, a Poll is being conducted on those in favour, and those against the Imperial College Vision, Log on and cast your vote, you do not even have to identify yourself!

Comments by 99.99% from Wye on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 04:23 - IP Logged
You exaggerate your figures don't you, how can you possibly have 99.99% of support, Do you work for the government statistics dept.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Monday, June 26, 2006 at 14:59 - IP Logged
Tonight, members of Wye Parish Council, have a further meeting with Imperial College Re 'The Vision', as it now appears about 99.99% of the residents of Wye and surrounding districts are against the proposed development....this is a last call for those who support the Project, to come forward and identify themselves, with their specific views....as we have not heard from the various voices in support for sometime, we can maybe assume they were just a cover for other groups , who have now got the message, that their viewpoint is not particularly welcome in this whole issue.The meeting is at 6.00pm, so if you actually exist, there is still time, to get your pro-message to us. Contact details are outside the Library.

Comments by Jo from London on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 at 17:41 - IP Logged
The planning department in Tonbridge recently refused permission for polythene tunnels for strawberries in Penshurst, also in an AONB. What gives Imperial the idea that they could ever get permission for a whole new town?

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 13:10 - IP Logged
This weekend Imperial issued a statement concluding that their "primary determination to take responsibility for the community and to give it best opportunity in the future, and that this proposal was the best way of doing so."
Am I alone in thinking that this is the most pompous and arrogant piece of piffle yet to come out of the Imperial spin factory?

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 15:14 - IP Logged
For those of you that do not read the 'Sunday Times', we have a new player in the Imperial College Project, namely Countess Sondes,who lives in a large house amongst 4,500 acres near Faversham she is very excited about the whole Project, in particular the non-crops research into bio-fuel technology, it is not clear however what her thinking is, on the building of ANOB Land...she has a website www.leescourt.com/contact.php, maybe we can get some answers from the Countess regarding large scale development on AOB Land.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 09:44 - IP Logged
It is clear that we have a housing policy but not one for science. Science is not a vote catcher and has always been viewed by politicians in financial terms. Way back in the 19th century, Michael Faraday demonstrated electricity to the then Prime Minister who inquired " But what use is it?" to which Faraday replied "Why sir, one day you will be able to tax it".No dought when the Minister for Science was created some one asked the same question and the reply came back" Why sir, one day you will be able to buy it".That's how we ended up with an ex-green grocer in charge of science. Housing, health and education are all great vote catchers but they have to be earned. At the moment it's 'so far so good' but future problems are looming. To entangle housing with science as Imperial if not the government are doing, is not only opportunistic but foolhardy.

Comments by Thinking beyond Wye from Wye on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 21:17 - IP Logged
The rumour is that ICL want the non-fuel crops to be grown in developing world locations (cheaper labour, rapid growing conditions) and will ship them back here for experimentation (what are the fuel costs/climate change effect of this activity!?!). Also rumour has it that the crops will be GMO – which we won’t have here because it can contaminate and mess up the genetics of our wild plants. Is it environmental or social justice to ask countries that can't afford to say no, to grow GMOs when we won't have them in the UK? Is this another from of NIMBYism – or is that Imperialism!?! Do these countries want another non-food cash crop harvested from their best quality land when they need food more? Will they be the main economic beneficiaries? Do they want to help us solve a climate change/fuel crisis that we have caused - and make us richer? Shouldn’t the universities/research be where the crops are grown, done by their scientist so their country reaps the benefit and can chose what works for them – not have it imposed from the west again. Have I misunderstood the whole biofuels thing?

Comments by Yeah from Wye on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:10 - IP Logged
Sorry for my late reply and thank you for your kind concerns. However I still do get the impression it's a not in my back yard opposition to Imperial. I wonder if Imperial or even an outside body offered to build 100 new council houses for local people or a home for the mentally ill you would embrace those as you do the college. HMMM I THINK NOT !

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 12:09 - IP Logged
Can we stop this constant bickering and be more serious about this important issue of the proposed research centre in Wye? I have always been uneasy about what goes on in these places. What with gene manipulation, GM crops and Dolly the sheep, one can never be sure of what will come out of these places next. If Imperial should research the crossing of a kangaroo with an elephant, we would have b----y great holes all over the Stour valley.

Comments by pete law from United Kingdom on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 21:35 - IP Logged
anon2 you are not as good or as clever as your ego allows you to be let it go

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 21:10 - IP Logged

Is anbody else getting the feeling that 'anon 2' is through a miscellany of far too obvious grammar and spelling mishaps in fact an academic or a fee earning professional?
Rosemary Green=Anon2=Amanda Williams=?

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 15:33 - IP Logged
i was at the meeting in january.
and i came to wye on sunday.
many thanks

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 11:33 - IP Logged
As we still have anon on our website.... if the person in question had taken an interest in the Imperial College project back in January, he could have attended the Withersdane Meeting and got some idea of the scale of what Imperial College are proposing for Wye and surrounding districts...on his visit to Wye at the week end , has anon had time to visit the WFG stall in the Farmers Market?

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 11:06 - IP Logged
has anyone actually seen defo plans?

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 13:30 - IP Logged
Every indication points to Imperial wanting redevelopment of its brownfield sites for research facilities including the ADAS portion and new development of an industrial/science park and housing on at least 300 to 400 acres of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty greenfield land adjoining Wye.

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 11:10 - IP Logged
popped to wye today, and i looked at the adas site wouldnt that site be best site to develop??

Comments by Tracy DeGrange from East Kent on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 09:48 - IP Logged
You are sorry. You know the long-term effects, but you are sorry, you plan to support it anyway.
Some things are not meant to be bought, AT ANY COST.
Solutions have to be found to protect Wye Downs for our future generations.
Look outside the box, maybe a change in lifestyle is the key to solving your individual problem.
Take care of yourself Anon and learn to take care of the environment we are blessed to have the use of.

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 22:41 - IP Logged
im sorry but i have a vested interest it what way this proposal goes too.
hopefully the 'cranks'
seems the mr green has an idea to raise the 300million to fund the 'sciene park'

Comments by Tracy Degrange from East Kent on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 10:02 - IP Logged
Just thought I'd let you know The Lindens ( a former care home owned by KCC) was sold to developers for over 2 million. The developers have applied to build 19 houses and 4 apartments. So according to the land registry KCC have a tidy sum in their bank. Will they save more money forcing schools to merge? mmmmmmm.....I wonder
The gov. work in wonderous ways eg. limited park spaces to 1 per newly built household thus creating parking problems which they think will force people to have just one car.
Maybe, they should limit houses, 1 per household and then there would be enough housing to go around! Thanx for reading my little rant!

Comments by Tracy De Grange from East Kent on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 09:42 - IP Logged
Thank you for your kind invitations
I will definately be making my way from Tenterden to Wye!
I have noticed and learnt so much since becoming part of our local objection to development, I have found this web-site to be very helpful and informative. If I can do anything to help rally support for Wye from this area I am more than happy to help.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 16:56 - IP Logged
Many thanks to Tracy DeGrange from East Kent for taking an interest in the proposed developments in Wye, hopefully the 'cranks' and other troublsome people who keep putting their ridiculous views onto our websites, will eventually get bored and go away...but you are always welcome to come to any WFG meeting, or other organised event in Wye...there is a sponsored walk in June at which we would be pleased to see you...Good Luck in your own campaign from all in Wye!

Comments by anon2 from Ashford on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 10:26 - IP Logged
i think some of you think im the anon with all the technical facts.
so ill be anon2

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 19:47 - IP Logged

Anon should know that in addition to English Courses, Imperial have 5 star global dominance in gender change research and surgery. Could be Amanda yet!

Comments by Tracy DeGrange from East Kent on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 17:39 - IP Logged
I was shocked to read in the papers of the plans for Wye. Such a beautiful paradise which deserves to remain untouched for future generations. Good on residents of Wye pulling together and forming this group! (I am chairperson for a local residence group who are currently opposing development of cramped housing with tiny gardens. We are hoping the high courts do not overturn a TPO order that was made earlier this year.) Trees and wildlife are so very important.....concreting Kent is a crime! Many people here support you in your mission to protect Wye and it's splendid landscape.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 10:17 - IP Logged
Regarding the latest comments from 'Amanda Williams' or is it really 'Andy Williams'the American singer who is taking an interest in the developments in Wye... I always identify myself, and everybody knows what I stand on the Imperial College project, people see me around Wye, and at Parish Council,WFG,Farmers Market, etc, even at services in Wye Church from time to time...so if any of you ie Rosemary Green, Anon, Yeh, Wye-Develop, and now Andy Williams..sorry Amanda Williams, care to stop and talk to me...anytime, anyplace... i'am sure we can have a sensible discussion, about what is projected for Wye and surrounding districts. Otherwise on behalf of every concerned resident in Wye I would still say go jump in the lake...or some very deep river as far away from Wye as you can find!

Comments by anon from Ashford on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 00:01 - IP Logged
sorry not female.

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 18:41 - IP Logged
I note that 'anon' has taken a crash course in English - presumably at Imperial - and has re-emerged as 'Amanda Williams'!

Comments by pete law from United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 16:11 - IP Logged
well said mr woodford,well spoken,its easy to hide behind the word 'anon' and have a mindless rant without fear of recognition,as for amanda williams and her comments of development being done sympathetically it makes you wonder if she has a covert interest ,being able to speak ones mind is clearly a valuable right both for mr woodford and the person who hides behind the shroud of being 'anon' keep up the good work jack!!

Comments by Amanda Williams from United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 15:52 - IP Logged
This journal is open to all I believe but it seems to me that the comments written by a particular person on here are getting way off the subject and rather personal.
Mr Woodford,I suggest that if you wish to call people names and make suggestions to them,that you find a different forum where that sort of behaviour is required.
I would also suggest that if you wish to correct spelling mistakes that you perhaps find a job which will utilise your talents.
I hope that you will be correcting all spelling errors as and when they occur on all posts.Just because a spelling error is made that is no excuse for the rudeness you exhibit.
As for 'anons' opinions,who are you to say that they are not welcome.
I think that the development will be done sympathetically if undertaken by Imperial .However, if Imperial pull out of Wye and sell the land to another developer then the villages problems will really start.
These developers will be interested in making money and that is all.

Comments by anon from Ashford on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 14:39 - IP Logged
sorry i dont think you can justfy calling me crank by speaking the truth.
if i cared about your opinons id come to the agm.but im more for it than against it to be honest.
concerned resident? nimby.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 13:15 - IP Logged
To 'anon'this is my last reply to you as I would hope you have finally got the message that your opinions are not welcome on this website, and indeed are those of a 'crank', I speak as a concerned resident of Wye,and for no one else regarding your silly remarks.

Comments by anon from Ashford on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 05:04 - IP Logged
to mr woodford. i would appreciate that name calling ie crank and words of go and jump in a lake, are the words of the playground banter and it seems you take over the opinon of wye on this forum. so much for have your say when you come back and try and belittle them.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 11:29 - IP Logged
Yes anon you are a 'crank'and you cannot spell either,if you have the guts come along to the Parish Council AGM on Thursday this week and make yourself known, otherwise go jump in the lake...preferably not around Wye

Comments by anon from Wye on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 05:54 - IP Logged
i dont think im a crank and that i am fully behind the development of the science park. wye will be full of people who live here at weekends as they be using the city pads when they work in the big smoke.
and be even less employment in the village.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 at 20:02 - IP Logged
Does Wye have a science future? With primary schools closing due to the shortage of pupils, fewer students interested in science and university physics & chemistry departments closing, it looks bleak. Health and Safety has killed of any spark in school science. The country long ago turned its back on the sciences and now we are exhorted to embrace a World-Class research centre, it sounds like a death throe to me.
The policy of house building would seem too ingrained to stop and Wye will have its share. I expect after a sufficient number of houses have been built and the foundatios for the research centre laid it will be announced that, with great regret, economic circumstances have changed and the research centre is no longer viable. There will be a few sacrificial lambs in the form of early retirements, with suitable remunerations, for those in charge. Then we will have two desolate science parks in the area, plenty of housing but no jobs to match. But I could be wrong!

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Monday, May 08, 2006 at 13:32 - IP Logged
Jack - Daniel was only able to escape from the Lion's Den without a mauling because the Angels managed to keep the lions mouth's shut through the night.
I do hope The PC have similar celestrial support tonight at the meeting with Imperial.
Beware Jack, you are on very dangerous ground unless you establish that you are not being sucked into discussing any development of greenfield/AONB land.
It could backfire exceedingly badly on The PC.

Comments by JACK WOODFORD from Wye on Monday, May 08, 2006 at 11:15 - IP Logged
Regarding the comments by 'resident' of Wye, once again You, Rosemary Green, Develop-Wye, 'the peasant' and all the other people who are supportive of Imperial College Project,have failed to make personal contact with members of Wye Futures Group, Parish Council etc. On Saturday morning at the Farmers market, i stood for 3 Hours at the WFG Stand and not one person came forward who was in support of the Imperial College Project...are you so frightened to come forward, or just cover up names for some cranks, who do not want to be identified, stop wasting everybody's time with your ridiculous comments, and go and put your suggestions on another website...We had one young man who came out from South Ashford who was so supportive of our efforts, that it gave encouragement to everyone on the stand that we are not alone in resisting this huge planned project.

Comments by pete law from England on Monday, May 08, 2006 at 08:11 - IP Logged
directed to the resident ...............it's clearly the case there have been job cuts due to poor management by imperial and not the fault of the villagers who are only trying to help maintain a patch of 'the garden of england' before a layer of concrete is slammed down in the name of 'science',if the college had been better managed this charade of a 'science park' would perhaps not be the thorn in everyones side ,cut backs have been going on for years so there have been warning signs to prepare for the future, this is clearly not a situation to be happy with .

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Saturday, May 06, 2006 at 13:32 - IP Logged
Sensitive redevelopment of Imperial's brownfield sites would create far more employment than currently exists at the college.
The sole purpose of Imperial wanting to make a massive incursion into the greenfield/AONB land around the village is for housing, which if planning permission is obtained would be sold off to fill its coffers.
Housing will not replace existing college jobs.

Comments by resident. from Wye on Saturday, May 06, 2006 at 10:02 - IP Logged
so if for instance the development is unsucessful and the vilage thinks its victorious, just think of the staff who could lose there jobs and the impact on there familys etc hope you all are happy with what you may of done and have a clear concience.

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Friday, May 05, 2006 at 20:41 - IP Logged
In reply to a question asked at an Ashford Borough Council meeting 27th. April, The Leader Paul Clokie said that Imperial were working on its plans with local community involvement.
Presumably the local involvement referred to its meetings with The Parish Council and the loaded on-line questionaire?
Imperial has already shown that it will go to almost any lengths and incur substantial costs to employ very expensive professionals to manipulate and spin just about everything in support of its aspirations to rape a large chunk of our countryside.
I would urge The Parish Council and any others approached by Imperial to be very, very cautious about becoming entrapped into a process that will inevitably be claimed by Imperial as giving the nod of approval to its plans.
The PC has publicly stated that it will only support brownfield development, and this I understand has already been conveyed to Imperial.
Consequently I can only envisage a negative outcome for the PC continuing to participate in this so-called consultative process unless Imperial confirm that it does not involve greenfield/AONB development.

Comments by JACK WOODFORD from Wye on Thursday, May 04, 2006 at 14:42 - IP Logged
Prescott's plans for concreting over the South East, may yet be scuppered by a few of our feathered friends! 20,000 new homes have been put on hold in Hampshire and neighbouring counties, by English Nature, deciding that this massive building contravenes EU Directives on wild bird habitats...our local wild birds, may likewise help us in holding of this massive development.

Comments by xxxx from United Kingdom on Thursday, May 04, 2006 at 13:22 - IP Logged
Yeah, we all appreciate that it is a terrible situation you are in. However, you may have noticed that the Wye campus is being wound up one way or another. Imperial are not proposing a regeneration of the existing facilities, but rather dubiously wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch. You will be no doubt be aware of the recent redundancies that have swept the college. This approach is extremely questionable because it unlikely that a scientific centre, in any form, will grow out of nothing in Wye.

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 10:38 - IP Logged
The Parish Council, Wye Future Group, our Borough Councillor and the many villagers I have spoken with all welcome sensitive redevelopment of Imperial's brownfield sites which I understand amounts to approx 60 acres.
'Yeah' can be assured that Imperial are not being discouraged from investing in Wye's future, quite the opposite.
However, and I am sure 'Yeah' will agree, Imperial are being asked to find other sources of funding it's aspirations other than selling off a substantial chunk of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for housing.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 10:05 - IP Logged
A reply to the peasant from Wye, please hike down to the village hall this Thursday 4th May for 7.00 pm, when your elected representatives will be available for questions on the Imperial College Project...some will be making statements, making clear their position on the whole subject...as one peasant to another (I still keep a few sheep)I will be pleased to talk to you, if no one else from Middle England wants to!

Comments by Yeah from Wye on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 06:34 - IP Logged
Do any of you lot actually care about those of us employed by the college ?
Or does it not matter that the few of us left lose our jobs can't pay our mortgages and probably lose out homes. I depend on Imperial College for my income Imperial aren't all bad and investment in the Village can only be a good thing. But the not in my back yard attitude is the usual response from Middle England. And us Peasants can go take a hike.

Comments by Bryan Cutlerr from Brook on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 10:23 - IP Logged
As someone who is contemplating moving to the area it is worth saying that I am now very reluctant to consider a move unless or until this is resolved.
There is a danger that the area could be blighted until building and future planning issues are resolved.

Comments by Jack Woodford from Wye on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 10:19 - IP Logged
As the mysterious 'Rosemary Green' fades into the unexplained letters file, we have a more public person to question about the Imperial College Vision..ie Peter Raine KCC Strategic Planning Director, with his statement about Wye becomming a 'bustling university town' we now have to wonder does this mean Wye will be a rival 'new town ' to Ashford or just swallowed up by an ever increasing Greater Ashford !According to Mr Raine this is the biggest project in Kent since the Channel Tunnel Rail link, and we all know what that looks like!

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 19:46 - IP Logged
M. Page is quite right when he says that reasoned argument is needed to rebuff the points raised in the 'Rosemary Green' letter. Exactly the reasoned arguments that appeared in todays KM letter page contained in two excellent letters from Ben Moorhead and Dylan Bradley.
However, M Page's passing literary reference is wide of the mark in that there has not been the slightest suggestion that a 'witch hunt' be instigated only that people should be aware of the origination of widely published opinions.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 19:19 - IP Logged
I too have read this infamous letter in the local newspaper but where is the reasoned responce? I wonder if I am sitting though a rerun of Arthur Miller's Cricible, has Wye changed it's name to Salem? Who ever the writer of this letter is, is immaterial, it's the points raised that are important and need to be challenged. To sum up, this letter points out the advantages of Imperial's proposal for the greater community. Such arguments and sentiments were also expressed at the time for the Eureka Science Park proposal, which though have yet to materialize. It would be better to hear a sound and logical rebuff of the points made, not the makings of a witch hunt.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 19:19 - IP Logged
I too have read this infamous letter in the local newspaper but where is the reasoned responce? I wonder if I am sitting though a rerun of Arthur Miller's Cricible, has Wye changed it's name to Salem? Who ever the writer of this letter is, is immaterial, it's the points raised that are important and need to be challenged. To sum up, this letter points out the advantages of Imperial's proposal for the greater community. Such arguments and sentiments were also expressed at the time for the Eureka Science Park proposal, which though have yet to materialize. It would be better to hear a sound and logical rebuff of the points made, not the makings of a witch hunt.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 15:30 - IP Logged
Regarding Pete Law, as i'am not sure if you are a local resident in Wye, or close by, i could send you a copy of the letter from Rosemary Green which appeared in the KM last week, if you would like to leave your address with the organiser of this column, i will get a copy to you...alternatively e mail me direct with your address...

Comments by pete law from England on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 20:45 - IP Logged
kerry bethel is clearly correct about the comments made by 'rosemary green' now is the time to increase the pressure , perhaps rosemary green is the only voice for the college , could any one lete me know via email her comments in the papers many thanks !!!

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 15:27 - IP Logged
One does not need a degree in rocket science to come to the conclusion that the 'Rosemary Green' who wrote to the KM last week is a cover for an entity which has something to gain from a vast development of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Any guesses?
Resorting to these pathetic tactics does, however,cleary demonstrate the desperation and frustration felt in their ranks.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 11:18 - IP Logged
Regarding comments from Rosemary Green of Wye, i have heard nothing further from this lady,there is now a further strange e mail circulating from a group calling themselves develop-wye, which goes on at great length, about the undemocratic nature of various groups in Wye, and how they...develop-wye fully embrace the projected Imperial College Vision, again this group are remaining anoymous, for fear of 'retaliation' by other groups in Wye!
If any of these people actually exist ie Rosemary Green, develop-wye etc, and are reading these comments, can we have some actual contact with them, they know where we all meet, and our telephone numbers...if they wish to remain anoymous, we can even have a secret meeting at a place of there choosing....

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Monday, April 24, 2006 at 19:44 - IP Logged
Perhaps Jack Woodford or anybody else out there would let us know whether Rosemary Green has raised her head above the parapet before or since last week's strange rant in the KM?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Friday, April 21, 2006 at 17:58 - IP Logged
Regarding the recent letter in the Kentish Messenger, from a Rosemary Green of Wye. in which she advocates that Imperial College continue with their vision of a Science Park, and forget about the activities of the Wye Future Group, who according to her represent just a few disgruntled Nimby's...recently the Wye Parish Council held an open morning in the village, to hear all opinions regarding this project, unfortunately, Rosemary Green was not present to add her comments, if the lady in question would like to contact any member of the Parish Council, or attend the next meeting of the Wye Futures Group, we would be more than pleased to hear her side of the argument for the Imperial College Project.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 17:41 - IP Logged
With the planned redundancies,now being put in place by the Estates Director of Imperial College,the existing buildings, in particular the Coldharbour Lane buildings will become even more shabby and run down...I pass them every day....so the demolition squad will no doubt have them in their sights, when the clearances of old Wye College buildings start...we are left wondering what is planned in their place? Will it be Eureka Park (Amage Road, Wye)?

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 15:59 - IP Logged
At last the penny has dropped, in the words of the Sheppy MP Derek Wyatt" I am not sure that one can have two science parks in Kent, there is simply not enough investment or companies". Which is why Ashford's Eureka science park is so desolate.
When are these academics going to come down from their ivory tower into the real world? Kent does not have a London-Oxford-Cambridge high tech triangle. I note that SEEDA has given it's support to Imperial but they will jump on any passing band wagon. Let's have a sound business plan for this Why project that would pass the scrutiny of an impartial bank manager, if we don't it will be another millenium dome, leaky fountain or wobbly bridge.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 17:26 - IP Logged
Regarding the comments by Carol Amos, that voting in the parish council elections is a waste of time as we have no powers....that may be true to a certain extent...but we do have regular meetings with the deputy rector,and we get to meet members of the abc ruling group at parish forums, so if carol amos has any questions she would like us to address at the next forum on the 19th april, or subsequent meetings planned in the future with imperial college, she is more than welcome, to post them on this website, or contact us directly....addresses and telephone numbers are outside the wye library.

Comments by pete law from England on Sunday, April 09, 2006 at 19:16 - IP Logged
regarding the comments below simply 'not bothering' is what imperial are relying on ,the parish council members are a valuable source of information and represent the village in a united front ,stating they have 'no powers' is not quite accurate keep up the pressure !!!!!

Comments by Carol Amos from United Kingdom on Saturday, April 08, 2006 at 22:11 - IP Logged
With referece to Ian Cooling'comments about voting for local parish councilors on 6th April 2006 I did not bother because frankly it would make no difference as the parish has no power whatsoever with the current situation regarding Imperial College.

Comments by Ian Cooling from Wye on Thursday, April 06, 2006 at 18:05 - IP Logged
PARISH COUNCIL BY-ELECTION TODAY!!
Don't forget that today is the by-election for a seat on the Parish Council.
There are two candidates - David de Saxe and Jamie Clifford - both Wye residents. The Polling Station in the Village Hall is open until 9.00 this evening.
Votes are the building blocks of our democracy so let's make sure we have a good turn out in the village

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 at 15:35 - IP Logged
The first returns have been received from our balloon launch on 1st April, they have come in from Holland...at the speed the balloons were travelling they could have reached far into Continent, so it appears the fate of Wye is being made known far wider than the local district...the message may even get as far as North and South Tenterden to alert concerned residents, about the conequences of undemocratic and underhand policies in our Borough!

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 at 11:19 - IP Logged
Bob Davidson, Lib Dem. Councillor made the comment at a recent ABC Council Meeting... that the people of Wye appeared uninterested, in the Ashford Town Development...in reverse could we expect some interest, from other parts of Ashford Borough, in what is going on in Wye.. so far the only elected councillors who have expressed an interest, apart from local ward members are the Independent Councillors...talking to people in the town centre, many are totally unaware of what is proposed for the Wye area.

Comments by Ian Cooling from Wye on Monday, April 03, 2006 at 10:57 - IP Logged
I'd like to use this Journal to relay my apologies to the villagers of Wye that I was not able to attend the Wye Future Group's midday meeting in the Village Hall last Saturday. A number of people have, rightly, expressed surprise at my absence.
I did spend time at the WFG stall in the morning but had to leave early to attend a memorial event in Tunbridge Wells at noon - an invitation I had accepted before the date of the WFG launch was announced.
One of my other hats is Kent secretary of an ex-Army Association and I was invited in that capacity, as the gentleman whose life we were celebrating was a former member. I did tell a number of WFG members that I would not be able to attend, but I gather that this was not mentioned on the day. I'd therefore like to use this site to make clear that without the clash of dates, I would certainly have been at the meeting on Saturday.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 15:47 - IP Logged
Geothermal and Biomass sound impressive but as an ex part time lecturer of South Kent College, I interpret this as numerous COGI gas fitters. There will be a need for them when they start building all those houses. The college can only offer what is in demand from local business. As a physicist, I put this into the 'course search box' on their web site which came back recommending plumbing. Plumbing I suppose is closer than hairdressing or ' nailology'. This does though illustrate the problem of the Ashford area, it's just not a high-tech region, which is why the Eureka science park is such an abysmal failure. Fifty and 100 years ago, Ashford was a center for motor bike and stean engine development but that's all gone and Ashford has never recovered.
Having traveled recently thoughout China and Japan, I did not see a science park filled with house as proposed for Wye. There is an almost similar plan for the Sittingbourne science park extension. Using a science park as a storking horse for house development is a very peculiar British way of ensuring the future technology of the country.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 14:22 - IP Logged
south kent college has announced this week expanded courses to train 300-500 students in advanced heating technology, geo thermal, and bio mass subjects, all subjects which the proposed science park at wye is set to develop...is it not possible for some liason to be set up between the two colleges, to jointly develop the teaching of all these new local students, in the existing or redeveloped facilities here at wye

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Friday, March 24, 2006 at 11:43 - IP Logged
from the reports of the meeting at the ashford borough council last night, it now appears that it is possible to build within ANOB'S 'in exceptional circumstances', plus the real threat of 300 acres of housing....and we also have gordon brown talking about a £1 billion investment in energy, environmental, research institute, funded by government and private industry....is this code for wye, or maybe just maybe eureka park?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at 10:09 - IP Logged
regarding the meeting tomorrow night at ashford civic centre, i have been advised that if any additional questions are to be put to the leader of abc, they must be received by 10.00am on thursday 23rd march, you can e mail them to keith.fearon@ashford.gov.uk for inclusion

Comments by Bob from Wye on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 12:18 - IP Logged
Okay, thanks. So the actual purchase price was zero. The loss figure, is exactly as you suggested, a product of creative accounting. Imperial were charging the former Aggriculture Department (ie. Wye College, post merger) ground rent at South Kensington rates, since all assets became property of Imperial that the dept. had to rent from them. Basically a large part of the "loss" that was incurred, was flowing back into Imperial coffers.

Comments by Dylan Bradley from Wye on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 12:03 - IP Logged
As I understand it, Wye is charged rent for the assets transferred to Imperial at London rates. A lower rent would have decreased the losses (only Imperial will know whether they would have reversed them). Given that the assets were transferred rather than bought, I'm not sure where the rent money has been used. Perhaps it has been used to subsidise other parts of Imperial?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 11:15 - IP Logged
just a reply to bob about the sum paid by imperial college...£16.00 million, i was corrected last night at wye futures group meeting, by various people in the sense that when the purchase was made, wye college was in debt to the the amount of about £1.3 million, since that time, we have been informed on several ocassions by the deputy rector, that the college runs at a loss...in the region of £2.3 million pa...that makes over the last 7 years about £16.1 million, plus the original £1.3 million, in the region of £17.4 million loss...no one really knows the true sums involved...it may just be creative accounts...all we know , is that they have huge potenial assets to dispose of, which makes the "current purchase price" seem quite small in comparison

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 10:58 - IP Logged
At 7.00pm on Thursday 23rd March, in Ashford Borough Council Chambers, Stour Centre, Paul Clokie, leader of ABC will in Committee Session be making a statement regarding his part in the signing of the Concordat last year, Peter Davison, Leader of Ashford Independents, has tabled 12 questions regarding this matter, but there will be time for additional questions on the whole ABC, KCC, Imperial project, from members of the public....there is space for upto 60 people in the public area....

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 20:28 - IP Logged
So Wye has the 'luxury' of 3 pubs, a Coop and a Chinese and an Indian restaurant. We used to have locally, in Kennington, a pub, newsagent, chemist florist, petrol station and a geen grocer but they have all gone. Now we have a Coop undertakers instead! Residents of Wye don't know when they are well off.

Comments by Bob from Wye on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 18:40 - IP Logged
Jack, thanks for correcting me. I was not aware that money changed hands during the merger/takeover. Could you post more info on where you got that information from? Also, I was wondering where exactly did the money go, since Wye College had no shareholders like a regular company?
Now over to you Richard Simth. First of all, I am much amused by your suspicion of my whereabouts. Largely because you sound like you have been on Imperial's PR drip-feed for too long. Then again maybe you are the drip-feed, in which you should note that just because Imperial bought St. Mary's does not mean they discovered Penicillin.
You are absolutely right that we have not seen any plans. I wonder why that is? It is awfully difficult debating plans that only side knows about. So please Richard, do drop by the Flying Horse to tell us more about them. After all you are local, aren't you?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 10:37 - IP Logged
perhaps "richard smith" would like to come to some of the various meetings..wye future, parish council,even wi....he may even be "rachel smith", and obtain a viewpoint from the locals about the current proposals from imperial college...with current water rationing about to be imposed by mid kent water, is all this talk about extra housing and development, really realistic in any case!

Comments by pete law from England on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 17:50 - IP Logged
clearly richard smith has only profit in his mind and does not care about the heritage and way of life that is Wye, over the top conclusions??no we are just looking at the bigger picture and trying to get to the truth .........

Comments by anon from Wye on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 16:53 - IP Logged
Surely Richard Smith must be in the employ of Imperial to make such a statement.His maths are a bit haywire as to the number of students- which are only we understand until 2010 latest.History wise the village and lathe of Wye was given from Battle Abbey around 1066 but the College was started in 1447 by Cardinal Kemp,so there were dwellings in Wye long before the College.
It is not a requirement for the College to continue to cover the countryside with a science park (at a later stage a failed industrial estate?)but for Imperial to upgrade their courses to achieve their 5+ teachingthey are proud of.Lets not fall into the trap of allowing Imperial to carry out an asset stripping exercise to the detriment of Wye.

Comments by Richard Smith from England on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 14:22 - IP Logged
Bob from Wye on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 18:49
I'd like to let you know Bob, because if you really do live in Wye you would of noticed Imperial have six hundred students attending the college. If it wasn't for these six hundred students you probably wouldnt have some of the luxuries the village has, such as the co-op, three pubs, chinese and an indian restaurant.
So count yourself lucky that you have a college here, with students investing in the local economy so you dont have to drive to ashford, if you wish to have a take out. Its absolutely absurd that probably one of the main reasons this village actually has any housing was the start up of the college in the first place. I like what everyone keeps coming up with about the science park size, seeing as the college has a rather large amount of sites at the moment, which are derelict and have major room for re-development. So I think a lot of people are drawing over the top conclusions. When we have not even seen any plans for the development yet, but the village should be proud, it has a college thats part of the third best university in the UK, instead of slating every action it takes. Remember it was the college who invited the villagers to a meeting in January 2006, to talk of their plans.

Comments by Graham Saxby from Wye on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 20:06 - IP Logged
On reading the proposed vion for the future of Imperial College, one realises this was a pure case of Asset stripping when they took Wye Collee over. Imperial shoul be mad to leave this A.O.N.B. alone

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 12:56 - IP Logged
The Parish Council's published position relects the overwhelming majority view held by parishoners.
It is reassuring to know that during whatever consultations it may have with Imperial it will only be prepared to discuss the use of the sensitive development on brownfield land and nothing beyond.
It is important that Imperial realise it cannot 'spin' the consultation process into a seeming acceptance of it's plans by the local community.

Comments by jack woodford from Belgium on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 20:23 - IP Logged
just a reply to bob from wye....imperial college actually paid somewhere in the region of £16.00 million to wye college...so the records show...and if all this land development goes through, make a huge profit on their intial investment ... better than some hedge fund managers are presently achieving in the city of london....

Comments by Bob from Wye on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 18:49 - IP Logged
Does Sharon Harvey not understand that Wye College no longer exists as an institution? It is merely a collection of land, buildings and some workers Imperial have not yet sacked. Hence there will be no revitalisation of the College, just a sell-off once they got rid of the pesky scientists.
The question no-one is asking is how did Imperial get to acquire the site for FREE and then be in a position to dispose of it for profit at will.

Comments by 2020hindsight from United Kingdom on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 19:07 - IP Logged
Imperial & Wye students anticipated all this years ago.
http://live.cgcu.net/news/?id=950

Comments by pete law from England on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 14:16 - IP Logged
why has imperial 'rdered'kcc to remove two documents that have been requested via the foi act namely one by ernst young consultants and another document detailing on how to deal with developing an area of outstanding beauty,this stinks of an imperial cover up ,now i know they monitor this site so perhaps they would like to respond...........................

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 12:14 - IP Logged
yes damien green is still very firmly on the fence....looks as if this is his position for the forseable future...

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Friday, March 10, 2006 at 17:05 - IP Logged
It would be interesting to hear from Mr Woodford whether Mr Green managed to extricate himself from the fence he has been impaled upon ever since Imperial made its intentions known to attempt to swallow up a sizeable chunk of our much treasured Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Does our elected representative show any signs whatsoever of wanting to protect our social and environmental heritage?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Thursday, March 09, 2006 at 17:42 - IP Logged
the parish council have a meeting tonight with damien green mp for ashford, at present he seems to be sitting on the fence, which is not a very comfortable position to be in for to long....he is giving the benefit of the doubt to the assurance that the local and county council have not been party to the wideheld suspicion that they have been involved in prior planning about this whole project...he also thinks that there will be benefits and problems caused by the project...hopefully more will be learnt tonight about his further views.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 at 09:38 - IP Logged
I note from a statment by the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppy in 2004 concerning the extension to the Sittingbourne Science Park that at the time it was 40% science,40% business and 20% unoccupied. It further stated that it cannot be guaranteed that the enlarged park will be anything other than a business park; ' there is spare capacity and there will be more'.The Ashford Science Park I would estimate to be 80% unoccupied.As for the Orbital Business Park, known locally as the 'Willie Benz Lorry Park', seems to be nothing more than a collection of warehouses scattered amongst the lorries.The waste ground, much to the consternation of nearby residents, I'm told is used as a toilet. If a major road is built from the M20 to a desolate business park in Wye, the same thing will happen.I could understand all this push for development if the science and business parks in Ashford were bursting at the seams but they are not.
Interestingly, the statement goes on to say ' we need to encourage Imperial College to move out of London to Kent'that was two years ago. One gets the nagging suspicion that this proposal for Wye was thought out long before Imperial College took over Wye College but I could be wrong.

Comments by Alan Paterson from Wye on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 21:48 - IP Logged
It has been pointed out to me that Councillors Clokie and Carter are not 'paid employees' as I stated earlier, but unremunerated elected representatives . My apologies to all for this mis-description, but the points I make remain equally valid.

Comments by Alan Paterson from Wye on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 18:06 - IP Logged
I have been given an article from the winter edition of ‘Imperial Matters’, their journal for alumni, entitled “World Class scientific research centre planned for Wye”.
The article opens with the simple statement “Wye is to become the home of a new £1 billion world class science research and manufacturing facility.” Later it adds “The Wye Concordat, signed in December 2005 by Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council and the Rector, establishes a common and workable framework for cooperation and collaboration between the three parties.”
Nowhere in the article is there even a hint that planning permission is needed or the status of the land as an AONB.
How can Councillors Clokie and Carter claim that the document has no legal effect when it empowers Imperial to make such statements – they have given very great comfort to Imperial, who would certainly not be so bold without the Concordat. Surely such statements are further evidence in a legal sense of the artificially advantageous position Imperial are in? And how can the Councillors be so naive as not to realize that that they were being ‘conned’ and that a large part of the population they represent would recognize that as the truth and be deeply angered by the total absence of any democratic process until information was release3d when the Imperial PR machine dictated.
As our salaried employees, how dare Messrs Clokie and Carter have proceeded so undemocratically, keeping months of prior negotiation from the elected representatives and the public they lead and represent?

Comments by Kamal Sayany (Editor) from Wye on Sunday, March 05, 2006 at 23:23 - IP Logged
100 comments on the Journal is something of a landmark. It shows that the people in and around Wye are concerned about Imperial's huge scale proposals to develop in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Thank you to all those who have made valuable contributions so far. The debate has been insightful and intelligent.
I have occasionally removed material which was either off-topic, self-publicising or otherwise offensive.
Keep it coming. Keep it courteous.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Saturday, March 04, 2006 at 11:12 - IP Logged
who is rapper james? this is a serious website, and from his comments we are lapsing into fantasy speculation, let us keep to reality, we have enough to contend with in the real plans put forward by imperial college, and what has already been accomplised to the deteriment of the ashford area..

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Friday, March 03, 2006 at 10:12 - IP Logged
The more I read, the bigger this proposed scheme seems to get. A link road from the M20 to Wye but why stop at Wye?
It would be logical to continue this road to Canterbury with perhaps a Godmersham-McDonalds service station and a Wimpy one at Chilham. Just think of all that land that would be opened up for building, what magnificent views the houses would have at least what was left of it. The influx of people onto Wye Town would require all the appropriate services from supermarkets to leisure facilities. There could even be a theme park, well with all this elephant grass for bio-fuel perhaps something along the lines of a safari thing.I expect Imperial are already talking with Howletts. For the more adventurous a cable car to the top of the Crown and a dry ski run down the Devils Kneadingtrough leading of course to thr Brook Accident Clinic.Yes, we need to think on a much bigger scale but perhaps this is already on the drawing board!

Comments by Alan Paterson from Wye on Friday, March 03, 2006 at 09:33 - IP Logged
On 12th January an encouraging message from Jim in the US was posted, offering to donate to the cause, but without leaving any details of how to get back to him. Jim, I am the Assistant Treasurer of Wye Future Group, comprising local volunteers who are taking on Imperial College and seeking to restrict or divert their apparent intentions. If you are serious about making a donation please contact me by e-mail at fieldbank@btinternet.com
Alan Paterson

Comments by pete law from England on Thursday, March 02, 2006 at 20:42 - IP Logged
John Morris is right wye does have alot to offer but for how much longer ,spring may be just around the corner but so are the developers ready to destroy everything and ruin Wye for ever ,its all very well to look thru rose tinted glasses but lokk at the bigger picture .... Rapper James sees it the way it is and says it how it should be said lets get moving!!!!!!!

Comments by Sue Powell from Wye on Thursday, March 02, 2006 at 20:41 - IP Logged
perhaps Rapper James would like to come and help?

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Thursday, March 02, 2006 at 16:57 - IP Logged
Well said Mr Morris! It is good to remind ourselves that Wye is a delightful village that welcomes visitors and has plenty to offer both young and old.

Comments by John Morris from Wye on Thursday, March 02, 2006 at 15:37 - IP Logged
Cheer up! It may not occur to potential visitors to Wye that there is anything else happening apart from the Imperial threat-great though it is-but there is.Wye is still the cheerful village is was,businesses are carrying on and are ready to welcome you,Spring is around the corner.Wye Surf is not all about bad news , so please come and enjoy us.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 14:55 - IP Logged
I moved into the Ashford area over 30 years ago and looking back, not a great deal has changed.Yes, we have a motorway; international station, science and business parks but none of these has had a real economic ompact on the area. Now the residents of Wye are faced with yet another new scheme for the area. All these schemes have been a gambles which unfortunaty did not reach expectations but could Imperial's proposal be the lucky break?
The underlying problem is that it has been a devilish job to encourage substantial business south of the North Downs. Imperial College's report has quite properly assessed the situaton from their interest point and indicated a possible move in the direction of Biomass and Non-food crops. This sounds well suited to the Wye enviroment but is this really going to encourage new firms to the propossed business park when Ashford's science park, with all it's ready built roads and services, still remains half empty.
Perhaps there should be an independent examination of the scheme when all emotion has subsided and the vaguenss clarified.

Comments by Jo from United Kingdom on Sunday, February 26, 2006 at 17:00 - IP Logged
There's no point asking 'why Wye and not somewhere else'. It's in Wye because that's where Imperial's land is. If Imperial owned land elsewhere, it would be there instead. If it didn't have the land already, Imperial wouldn't be proposing the development, as it would have to buy the land and couldn't afford it.
Imperial wants to make some money out of land that is worthless (to it) in its current use. If the planning process fails in its duty to protect a protected area, then the only way to stop the proposal is to make it worth Imperial's while NOT to develop it.

Comments by M Page from Ashford on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 12:03 - IP Logged
I very much welcome the idea of a research and science park but why in Wye.Ashford council records for Feb. 1995 show outline planning permission for Trinity College Cambridge to build a ' Science and Business Park; housing ; petrol filling station and leisure Park'. After 11 years we have the filling station and leisure bit but the rest can best be descibed as the' Rub Al Khali' or empty quarter.
What with millenium domes, wobbly bridges, commemorable fountains and now half built stadiums, we never seem to get anything right. I remember talk about a University of Kent campus in Ashford, so what happened?
Why can't Imperial College and Trinity College get their heads together and utilize what is already avaliable.
Better still go and look at what is happening in China with regards to investment in science. That's were the challenge is, so let's get something right for a change.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 11:39 - IP Logged
regarding giles kingsley-pallant, and his report on the cambridge science park, we are now being told that the proposed wye science park, will be in addition to a regenerated eureka science park... currently there is a planning application in for a ghastly 60's style hotel block, which has more in common with the worst examples of e european communist buildings...150 jobs will apparently be created...these will be low paid jobs... about £5.00 per hour, and mostly filled by people from outside the ashford area..is this what a science park is all about?

Comments by Giles Kingsley-Pallant from United Kingdom on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 21:02 - IP Logged
In Answer to Sam Springs suggestion that the Cambridge Science park "is not an industrial estate" I would disagree entirely, firstly it is Sandwiched between the northern periphery of the city in a not too glamorous location and its north most boundary is the busy and dangerous A14 and Milton Rubbish dump. Since its inception there has been little additional increase in expenditure on the infrastructure of Cambridge and thus it boasts one the worst traffic problems in the UK today. As for architectural merit the NAPP labs do some justice to the site, but the rest of the buildings could be from Slough or Basingstoke.
Bidwells cover the letting of the Science Park and most of the units have had to be revamped and repartitioned to allow for multiple occupancy, as there is little uptake currently. The general commercial market in Cambridge is very poor with many units empty across the city and surroundings. If they can't fill units in the cream of the scientific research belt what need for Wye?
If you are using the Science Park as a comparable, it has presented the region with investment and opportunity at the expense of local residents and the environment of the region. Wye could not sustain anything like this and the sooner ICL realise the better.
N.B. I have lived in Cambridge all my life except that time I spent studying at Wye, my father went to Wye and was one of the first employees to work on the science park for AGC (Agricultural Genetics Company).

Comments by John Willis from United Kingdom on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 14:44 - IP Logged
This will spoil a beautiful corner of Kent forever. Let Prof Boris go to Cambridge when he can buy an under used science park for a fraction of the cost. Or is it just a money making enterprise ?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 11:51 - IP Logged
many thanks to anon of wye, who keeps finding interesting pieces of information, regarding the people we are up against in the imperial project...is derek wyatt a labour mp? following on monday night meeting of the wye future group, i would like to inform everybody that the ashford independent association,a non political group, which campaigns on local issues for local people, are holding their annual dinner at the king head wye on wednesday 8th march 8pm, local residents are more than welcome to come along throught out the evening to raise relevent questions with abc independent councillors , including the mayor of ashford who is also an independent councillor. our guest speaker is sharon harvey who is a policy adviser for a sustainable development group... green issues, which of course has a direct bearing on the imperial college project..jack woodford

Comments by Marlon Sorken from Wye on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 10:03 - IP Logged
I am totally against the proposed science park, build it somewhere else. No need to destroy an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Comments by Sue Powell from Wye on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 11:58 - IP Logged
Cambridge Science Park occupies 152 acres of land.
Very small, compared with what Imperial appear to be proposing for Wye.

Comments by Sam Spring from Wye on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 19:53 - IP Logged
Has no one had a look at Cambridge's Science Park, its not an industrial estate.

Comments by Anon from United Kingdom on Sunday, February 19, 2006 at 17:42 - IP Logged
searching for information i came across Derek Wyatt MP.web site and noted that back in 2004 he was asking for Imperial to create a science park in ashford not bad for a sittingbourne\sheppy MP.

Comments by Peter Sutherland Wye Resident from Wye on Sunday, February 19, 2006 at 12:30 - IP Logged
At last, our Borough Councillor has finally spoken publicly. What a relief!
It is encouraging that he is against building on any Greenfield land. It is a great shame that this was not stated at the public meeting held at Withersdane on 9th January. I do hope Imperail College, Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council take note.
On a lighter note I would like to point out that my wife Ann has not been to American Samoa, niether of us are computer nurds and often hit the wrong button.I would like to think she would not go on holiday without me!

Comments by ANON from Wye on Friday, February 17, 2006 at 22:57 - IP Logged
DIRECTOR OF ESTATES - PART 1
Some comments in the journal have referred to the role of the Director of Estates at Imperial College, David Brooks Wilson, who was appointed to that post in April 2002. Others have suggested that Imperial’s asset stripping exercise began to take shape 2 years ago. As what follows will demonstrate, the Director of Estates is extraordinarily well-placed, through his business and professional connections, to play a key part in the development of Imperial’s assets at Wye. [One might even think he was given the job because of these connections. Perhaps there is a ‘performance bonus’ - who knows!] As the Imperial College website tells us:
‘David Brooks Wilson joined Imperial College London as Director of Estates in April 2002. Previously he was with Eurotunnel, where he was Managing Director of Eurotunnel Developments Ltd.. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Dalkia Plc and Chairman and CEO of Noble Wilson Ltd., a property transaction company with offices in Hong Kong and Seoul.
His career has embraced the property and construction industries where he has held a number of positions at Group Secretary and Director level with Trafalgar House Investments Plc, the Bovis Group Plc, The British Land Company Plc, Euston Centre Properties Plc and City Wall Holdings Ltd.’
According to its website, Bovis Group is one of the leading house builders in the United Kingdom. And British Land tells us that it is ‘a major UK listed property company investing in prime modern properties with a current portfolio of £14.6 bn.’

Comments by ANON from Wye on Friday, February 17, 2006 at 22:55 - IP Logged
DIRECTOR OF ESTATES – PART 2
On the website of the South East England Regional Assembly we read that in July 2002, a few months after his appointment at Imperial, Mr. Brooks Wilson was nominated for the post of Vice Chair of the Regional Planning Committee. The website describes Mr. Brooks Wilson as
‘Chairman/CEO of Noble Wilson Ltd. which is a transaction based property and real estate advisory company [which] specialises in property development, property management and the creation of inward investment…[he] was formerly Eurotunnel’s Property Services Director responsible for property management and development and the Managing Director of Eurotunnel Developments Ltd., the property subsidiary of Eurotunnel Plc…He sits on the Council of the South East Region of the CBI and is the CBI representative on the Executive Committee of the South East England Regional Assembly, as well as the vice Chairman of the South East England Regional Planning Committee.
‘Through Noble Wilson Ltd. , David Brooks Wilson is Chairman of the Kent Developers Group, an informal group of the Managing Directors of the major developers in Kent [comprising Berkeley Homes Plc, the Church Commissioners, Countryside Residential (South Thames Ltd.), English Partnerships, Gallagher Group Ltd., Hillreed Homes Ltd., Land Securities Plc, La Salle Investments (operators of the Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne), Liberty Property Trust UK, London and Continental Railway (developers of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link), SEEDA and Transport Investments Ltd.] and he is a Director of Locate in Kent, the County’s inward investment agency….
‘[He] is a member of the Board of NACORE Europe UK Chapter (International Association of Corporate Real Estates Executives – USA). He is also a Governor of the Urban Land Institute (ULI).’

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Friday, February 17, 2006 at 20:05 - IP Logged
Under the Freedom of Information Act a disclosure has been obtained from KCC that the concordat between ABC, KCC and Imperial was agreed 4th March 2005 and formally signed by all parties on 29th April 2005 thus exposing the December ceremony at the college as a cynical showboating PR stunt.

In the 8 months between actual signing and owning up, the concordat partners covertly sought to advance Imperial's position by manipulating the future structure plans of ABC, KCC and The South East Regional Assembly to suit Imperial's designs to ruin a substantial area of our AONB green field countryside.

Not giving anybody the opportunity to track and oppose this furtive activity is a massive abuse of the democratic process for which the perpetrators must be called to account.

Comments by pete law from United Kingdom on Friday, February 17, 2006 at 14:56 - IP Logged
why am i not surprised at the details given by Mr Woodford, never underestimate the Imperial and abc and kcc and what they are truly capable of doing

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Friday, February 17, 2006 at 10:36 - IP Logged
at last nights parish council meeting, we were given the astonsishing news that the ward member for wye, was as much in the dark prior to the concordat being issued in december as anybody else, apart from the leader of abc, the chief executive, and his assistant. we also now learn that there has been activity for the past 2 years involving imperial college, abc, kcc, ernst and young, government of the south east (yes the dreadful prescott again) more smoke and mirrors than local democracy once again...how much more will be revealed about this project in the next few weeks?

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:37 - IP Logged
just to let zoe dinsdale know that there is parish council meeting tonight in the methodist hall at 7.30pm...she is more than welcome to attend....we do have other things to discuss, besides the imperial proposals, and there is always a slot for members of the village to have there say...the boro councillor will be there to give his version of the abc input to this project....so why not come along to quiz him on the local boro council's role in this project...jack woodford pc member

Comments by Anon from United Kingdom on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 11:58 - IP Logged
I'm sure American Samoa is a "beautiful place" as well and we should therefore look forward to Ann Sutherland planting 3 trees to offset the 2.56 tonnes of CO2 her trip will add to the atmosphere!

Comments by Zoe Dinsdale from United Kingdom on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 08:24 - IP Logged
I can't believe this is actually serious, I am the sister of an ex Wye boy (pre-Imperial) and I am shocked that there are plans to ruin such a beautiful village, with so much history. Could someone please let me know when the next planning council meeting is for this as I would very much like to attend? E-mail is zoedinsdale at hotmail dot com. Thank you

Comments by Giles Kingsley-Pallant from United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 18:31 - IP Logged
Back in 1998 I had a motto "Defending against the Dark Invading Imperial Forces". With obvious StarWars overtones I was able inject humour to mine and many others students concerns about the impending takeover. Eight years later it is plainly obvious that these plans were laid down from 1998 and all our concerns were correct.
In general I am very cynical of local authorities and Ashford is no exception in my mind it is probably taking its lead from Westminster where Imperial have held many an ear for years.
It baffles me why we protect the countryside just to repeal laws designed to protect it for the ultimate benefit of bank balances, when it is surely just cashing in on nature itself.
The UK has made many mistakes in its attempt to remain dominant in the world, in an environmentally aware age should we really be destroying those priceless habitats in the name of Science?

Comments by Anon from Wye on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 21:00 - IP Logged
Happy Valentines Day Wye! 8)**
We love you and we are doing our best for you. Member of WFG (well it is a valentines message so you have to stay anonymous!)

Comments by pete law from England on Monday, February 13, 2006 at 15:57 - IP Logged
now come on people i think a Frankie and Benny's nestled between a Burger King next door to the church and other historic buildings will look super,evenmore so when the 'science park 'has failed oh by the way i for got to mention the multiplex cinema..........are you sensing my sarcasm?Now is the time to make your stand and fight this awful plan, i will be doing what i can and i urge other villagers to do the same because when the countryside is gone it is gone forever

Comments by anon from Wye on Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 21:04 - IP Logged
Anyone alert in 2002 to the marriage of interests represented by the appointment, as Director of Estates at Imperial College London, of a former Managing Director of Eurotunnel Developments Ltd. and Chairman and CEO of Noble Wilson Ltd. (a property transaction company with offices in Hong Kong and Seoul),a man whose 'career has embraced the property and construction industries where he has held a number of positions at Group Secretary and Director level with Trafalgar House Investments plc, the Bovis Group plc, The British Land Compnay plc, Euston Centre Properties plc and City Wall Holdings Ltd.' might have foreseen the grotesque assault on the community and countryside of Wye we are faced with.

Comments by Anon from Wye on Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 16:46 - IP Logged
Is there any connection between Mr brooks Wilson board member on locate in Kent. Pifzers partner in locate in kent. and the imperial plan to locate a vision in wye

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Friday, February 10, 2006 at 22:19 - IP Logged
Many talented and energetic people have joined together to form the WFG to fight off the very serious threat from Imperial to our community and cherished countryside. However, effectiveness and ultimately success will only be achieved if action takes precedence over process, competent people are allowed to use their drive and initiative and red tape and bureaucracy is kept to the minimum. Good luck to you all YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU!

Comments by Dr Geoff Meaden from Canterbury on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 at 22:14 - IP Logged
A major problem for Wye is that Kent County Council have no idea on strategic development planning. Their Kent and Medway Structure Plan simply allocates x hectares of industrial land to each District, who can use this allowance as they wish. This has resulted in there being 4 very large 'science/business' parks planned for within a 10 mile radius of the end of the M2 near Faversham. These are an expansion of the Sittingbourne Science Park, a new knowledge park at the University of Kent, a 20 hectare Hi-Tech park on the southern outskirts of Canterbury and now this Imperial proposal. Does this rural area in East Kent really need all of this development? Of course not. Residents of Canterbury and other parts of East Kent have seen the vast majority of industrial parks simply fail. They either never really commence, they stagnate or they become retail parks. We will not solve this problem until KCC start to take seriously the matter of strategic planning. What Kent needs is cooperation between neighbouring Districts in planning matters, and not competition,

Comments by Ann Sutherland from American Samoa on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 at 19:34 - IP Logged
May I congratulate The Chairman John Hodder and members of The Parish Council on the very well informed booklet 'Wye's Future' that went out to all residents of Wye.
May I also remind people that all this type of work is done voluntarily by our Parish Council and take the liberty on behalf of you all to thank
our Parish Councillors for the sacrifice made on our behalf.
Since the booklet went out at the weekend, many people in conversation
have said to me that they hadn't realised the full implications of Imperial College's vision and now they too are very distressed at what could happen here in Wye.
Job well done!
Have our Borough Council got any more
news to give us yet?
Or our County Council?
Or our MP?
I do wonder what elections are all about!

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 at 14:42 - IP Logged
with all the activity regarding the proposed imperial development of wye, take a note from the residents of lots road, in chelsea, where for the past 3 years they have fought against a monstrous development of two huge tower blocks, they were refused planning permission by the local authority, and various other statutory bodies, but now prescott has overuled everybody, and is allowing the development to go thru! if that man becomes involved in the imperial development, we will have a real fight on our hands! jack woodford

Comments by pete law from England on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 at 14:30 - IP Logged
i wonder if the college,abc and kcc are reading these comments,strikes me the people of wye have no desire to see the 'science park' dumped on them,obviously they are all failing to see how it would be good for wye,ashford and the country........

Comments by ROB HOWELL from East Kent on Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 11:55 - IP Logged
Although I live in Acrise, I have property in Chilham and have a great love of Wye. Attending the meeting at Chilham last Thursday I was appalled at the attitude of Imperial and its disregard for the people of Wye. Needless to say Prescott won't be happy until the whole of the area is finally buried under concrete bit this desecration of an AONB must be stopped.

Comments by jack woodford from Wye on Friday, February 03, 2006 at 13:41 - IP Logged
the proposed wye science park, is just another example of the piecemeal development of ashford, over the past 25years...due in no small measure to ineffective borough councils, lack of clear planning, muddled thinking etc...why in the middle of ashford do we still have an abandoned railway works, large areas of to let industrial and commercial property, and a town centre, with cheap shops, estate agents,and little else...eureka park, the proposed science park is now home to burger king, kfc, a multiplex, ben and gerry's and that it! wye beware!
JACK WOODFORD

Comments by peter law from England on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 at 20:27 - IP Logged
thank you for your kind comments, i may be 130 miles or so away in norfolk but wye never leaves your soul,i will be watching closely what goes on regarding this 'red herring' by the college,it really is a sign of the times when the'cream of society'from the college think of lining their pockets first while at the same time having no regard for what is a clearly a beautiful part of the 'garden of england'i'll say it how it is every time and at the moment it is offensive to think that the college can pull the wool over our eyes ,i'll be watching .

Comments by Emily Sutherland from Wye on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 at 17:03 - IP Logged
Here here! (Mrs McLeod and Mr Bethel) I am here to help... and will support in every way I can.

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 at 13:55 - IP Logged
Extremely well put Mrs McLeod! Sitting back waiting for Imperial to summons us to their PR infested lair is not an option for those who want to stop Wye and surrounding areas from falling into their greedy clutches.

Comments by M.McLeod from Wye on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 at 13:27 - IP Logged
Whilst I understand Mr Hamer's point of view and concern for his fellow parishioners, one of the problems is that this excellent and effective cartoon can not be a hinderance to a dialogue because there is NO dialogue. Imperial promised to publish and send to every householder a report on the intial meeting. None has been received. The Professor promised to respond to all the written questions submitted at the meeting. None have been received. He promised to respond to email questions...I can't even get an acknowledgement out of them, and to the best of my knowledge only one response (from Brooks Wilson) has been forthcoming. This website refers to 7 questions put - that is just the number copied to it. There are many more.
There is no dialogue, and if we do nothing and simply wait politely for them to tell us when we may speak, it will be too late. If all those concerned (and it is,and should be, much wider than just Wye residents) want to avoid being "scared", they must all stand up and fight for our countryside now.

Comments by Garth M from Wye on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 22:14 - IP Logged
Clokie ? or Cloak & Dagger, Concrete Mixer in Conservative Clothing perhaps.

Comments by Ann Sutherland from Wye on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 18:38 - IP Logged
How wonderful to hear from Peter Law who grew up in Wye. He begs the villagers of Wye not to let the horrendous plans of the college to happen.
Obviously growing up in this beautiful place has left a lasting mark on Peter's soul just as it has my own daughter's.
I was present at the signing of The Concordat by invitation. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect or indeed
why I had been invited, except that the college had an announcement to make.
I will never forget walking into The Old Hall to a room full of men in grey suits. I saw their 'vision' straight away... yes Peter, pound signs and profit.
Wye is a sacred place in more ways than one, it's Beauty is part of the creation.
I expect the farmland where Eurika Business Park now stands was once attractive until Trinity College Cambridge convinced Ashford Borough Council to develop it.

Comments by Colin Hamer from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 08:20 - IP Logged
I am a resident of Brook and am very concerned by the proposed development of Imperial College at Wye. I "gate crashed" the public meeting as we were not invited and as editor of Brook News have published as much information, as is available, about the scheme. However I was concerned to receive an A4 cartoon showing "Grim Reapers" and stating "Death of a Village". I realise that the worst possible scenario would result in the virtual loss of Wye, and probably Brook, as we currently know them but feel that at this stage in the process this type of scare tactic is wrong and could be counter productive in any dialogue that needs to begin. I am also concerned that a leaflet of this type which had no indication on it as to who had published it will produce an unreasonable level of fear in some of the population of Brook, especially the elderly and those who are alone. Please can we have a concerted campaign against the worst excesses of this development but any campaign must be considerate of the recipients of any published materials and also look to establishing constructive dialogue with the parties involved.

Comments by peter law from England on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 17:42 - IP Logged
having grown up in wye and left when i was 21 but still have parents and relatives living in wye i beg the villagers of wye to fight these horrendous plans ,dealing with the college ,abc and kent county council is like trying to find an honest man in parliament they see pound signs and profit and nothing else

Comments by Peter Sutherland, Wye Resident from Wye on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 12:00 - IP Logged
Unless Imperial College can guarantee that they have no plans to build or sell for development, 1 acre of green land, I urge all Parishioners to support The Wye Future Group in preventing the probable devastion of our beautiful environment.

Comments by Alan Paterson from Wye on Friday, January 27, 2006 at 15:47 - IP Logged
As a Wye resident for six decades (father lectured in Wye College for three) I have been silent until certain about the extent of IC’s threat.
Remember that some development here is inevitable, forced on Wye (via ABC) by Westminster and that Imperial College has more brownfield land than anybody.
KCC/ABC have been anxious for years to recruit an internationally known name to the Borough. Looking at the recent local experience with a Science Park, when no high-tech incomers emerged, the much-heralded Eureka Science Park in Ashford became a manufacturing and distribution centre - hence Brake’s, Rimmel/Coty and Instyle factories.
Imperial College have stated that their development needs must include at least a substantial part of their existing agricultural estate, “since ABC could not find for them the 500 acres needed”. This argument is at best disingenuous since it ignores the cost of acquiring land not already owned. Imperial College have stated that they do not need their Wye farmland to produce non-food crops for research purposes, as they can source these raw materials elsewhere.
The death of Wye as we know it is too high a price to pay for the survival of Wye College as a site of academic excellence. Their proposed scale is unthinkable for all reasons given by previous contributors – to whom we should all be grateful.
For all these reasons, Val and I have decided to oppose unequivocally Imperial College’s plans and we look forward to the creation of Wye Future Group.
We should be aware that if we win this battle and Imperial College give up, normal planning constraints will apply & they will still optimise their asset by obtaining Planning Permission on the maximum possible land before selling – as any business would.
If no academic or other institutional purchaser(s) emerge(s), WFG should be proactive in assisting in the break-up of the existing College estate for other uses.

Comments by Ben Moorhead from United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 13:11 - IP Logged
Ben M at Bodsham. Excellent emails from Kerry Bethel to Damien Green. Await response to latest. My suspicion is DG will be wishy washy and wait to see what his peers feel and not really get committed either way. If that happens he will be completely failing a sizeable part of his constituents and any will lose any credibility that he worries about the environment. Other people should write en masse to DG. He's not sadly my MP.

Comments by Jo from England on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 22:22 - IP Logged
It is the same chap. http://www.imperial.ac.uk/P4074.htm

Comments by Eddie Bennett - Wye from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 21:26 - IP Logged
I came across an interesting web site recently discussing the proposed bypass across countryside near Hastings (an article dated March 2001). The name David Wilson of Eurotunnel Developments is mentioned in the account; is this the same David Wilson, Director of Estates ICL, I wonder? For those interested pls visit the following site www.eco-action.org/porkbolter/mar01.html

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 15:02 - IP Logged
My how the waters are getting murkier! It has now been discovered that Mr Bearman was actively involved with the decisions leading up to the acquisition of Wye College by Imperial.Seems strange to say the least that only a relatively short time later he is the author of its closure! A flexible friend indeed!

Comments by Dr John Walters from Wye on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 10:04 - IP Logged
I was heartened to read in today's Times that "The Dartford Warbler...has been accused of scuppering John Prescott's plans to build 40,000 homes...in the Thames Basin Area".

Allegedly, there is a virtual moratorium on building homes in the region (which spans parts of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey) because they would be considered too close to a European Special Protected Area (SPA).

There were numerous other examples given of developments being prevented, delayed or curtailed by a variety of protected species, including one in Germany held up by a wild hamster that was last spotted four decades earlier!

So turning to Wye, there should be plenty of material with which to moderate Imperial's expansion plans (although I accept that we still don't have any real clarity on the extent of them).

Comments by Kerry Bethel from Wye on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 18:53 - IP Logged
Imperial leans heavily on the Bearman Report to support its position. Peter Bearman is a salaried employee of Imperial. Wow...how about that for being arms length and objective! This report carries about as much weight as a starving church mouse!

Comments by Dr Robert Chalice from England on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 14:32 - IP Logged
Just read Merrilie McCleod's email to Imperial about their denials that they plan to have any manufacturing plant in the science park. Somebody mentioned something about a new motor engine plant? Does anybody know where I can find this information?

Comments by Kerry Bethel from England on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 13:08 - IP Logged
Ben Moorhead succinctly summarises the real motivation powering Imperial's urges to rape an AONB - purely & simply an asset stripping exercise having no regard whatsoever to forever ruining Wye and the surrounding precious AONB. UNFORGIVABLE!

Comments by Ben Moorhead from United Kingdom on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 10:42 - IP Logged
Zoe Rushforth is absolutely right. And the reason Wye has been chosen is that Imperial would like to cash in some or all of their chips. There is clearly an element of greed in all this.How and why else would you use Ernst&Young as your press office.Why else would you knowingly destroy a huge area of greenfield site with AONB status. The very scale of the scheme shows that Imperial do not give a damn for Wye or its people.

Comments by Dr Robert Chalice from England on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 22:29 - IP Logged
Does anybody have a contact for Professor Holmes, ex Wye College? I am formerly of Wye College and last saw him 15 years ago or so.
A friend called me today to say that estate agents will not value his house because of the blight caused by Imperial. Has anybody else experienced this?

Comments by Zoe Rushforth from East Kent on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 11:56 - IP Logged
I don't live in Wye, but have an office here and can't quite understand why a development as large as Pfizer can be planned for here. The Wye Downs are arguably the most beautiful area in Kent - once thats gone, its gone. Why not build this nearer Ashford where there are plenty of brownfield sites? I appreciate progress should be made but fail to see why Wye is the only location!

Comments by Eddie Bennett - Wye from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 21:19 - IP Logged
During the meeting on 9th Jan David Hills from ABC seemed to imply that junction 10a would be sorted out in the next 3yrs. I am told that there are 3 options for junction 10; the first is based on the existing roundabout whilst the two preferred options are towards the SE and referred to as 10a. If either of the 10a options are chosen, as is likely, then a public enquiry is inevitable. It has been indicated to me that a decision on which option to go for will likely take 6 months to make.Further there is an apparent 18 month waiting period before a new public enquiry can begin. Once commenced the enquiry is likely to last a further 18 months. In the event that the option chosen is approved it is likely to take some additional 2 yrs for design and subsequent construction.
Overall the new junction would not be active for at least 5 to 6 yrs from now at the earliest ie 2012.
The suggestion from ICL was that development would start within a much shorter period. Perhaps ABC would like to comment?

Comments by Morgan Clarke from England on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 19:20 - IP Logged
Rachel's comments are exactly right. Imperial says that the village of Wye is to cease to exist - there will be a town instead, and we 'had better get used to it'. There will be a road, factories and housing estates. The area of outstanding natural beauty will cease to be outstanding, natural and beautiful. From the Devil's Kneading Trough there will be a nice glittering view of the car park for the five thousand (if that's the number they are still quoting) workers. This is an abomination - wholly unncessary given the three science parks within a ten-mile radius, doomed to failure given the lack of infrastructure, water shortage and flooding problems and clear evidence of Imperial's asset-stripping policies, which are attested elsewhere as well. But once the planning permission is granted they can build as many houses as they like. This has to be stopped now.

Comments by Rachael Moorhead, Bodsham from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 18:38 - IP Logged
The local community must not accept the inevitability of the proposed Science Park. The representatives of the Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council told us at the 9th January public meeting that change is inevitable and Wye must move on. That is undemocratic and a breach of their duty towards the people of Wye and neighbouring villages. You only need to look at Ashford (previously a thriving attractive market town) to see what a disaster it has been in the hands of local councillors - satellite urbanisation, seas of box-like houses, inadequate water supply, soul-less out of town malls … In relation to the 900 acre Wye Science Park, the choice for the local people is either rejection or acceptance because we were told emphatically by Imperial at the 9th January public meeting that there is no half way house to this proposed development. For those of us who do not want the last wild rural corner of East Kent to be covered in hundreds of acres of concrete, I say that we must reject this proposal as a matter of principle.

Comments by anon from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 05:09 - IP Logged
saw local press and seems alot of the coverage was exaggerated??

Comments by jill reede from England on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 00:21 - IP Logged
Unbelievable arrogance.I live near Loughborough, near to Astra Zenica's blot on the landscape.Anything goes as long as thousands of jobs are promised.But,surely not at any price?There has to be another answer.I also live near Nottingham University's Campus for Bioscience,(used to be the agricultural college)It blends in very well in a small village location.This must be a better solution.
One reason I'm so concerned, we are fast losing areas of England which show the essence of our roots, and mine were in and around Wye.
Why do we only learn how important things and places are when they've been destroyed?
This must not be allowed to happen.

Comments by Garth McLeod from United Kingdom on Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 21:03 - IP Logged
there is a rumor about that if the College project does not go ahead, they could simply fire sell the land to developers for housing. I think that once planning has been refused(correct me if I am wrong) that if the College does not proceed with development of the land, it is unlikely that anyone else will be able to ? Am I right?

Comments by J.M. from United Kingdom on Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 10:35 - IP Logged
The Parish Council informative letter regarding the formation of a Group will be delivered Sat/Sun.and posted on this site.The P.C. needs your imput urgently,so we are awaiting for responses now!!!

Comments by Kerry Bethel from United Kingdom on Friday, January 13, 2006 at 21:43 - IP Logged
I understand that the Parish Council will very shortly be contacting all households with a view to establishing an active lobby in defence of Wye's future.

Comments by Jamie Clifford, Bridge Street from United Kingdom on Friday, January 13, 2006 at 16:51 - IP Logged
I have been following discussions on this site with interest – however I now realise that this is not enough.
There will be many like me who have kept their counsel since the announcement. I would urge all to take the plunge and make thoughts known.
We must back our Parish Council if they are to represent us properly. They need to genuinely understand our thoughts. They will only do that if we engage in debate rather than follow it. So let's get posting!
Personally at this stage I am excited by the prospect of a rejuvenated centre of academic excellence. However, I am certainly not enthused by the thought of Junction 10a, extensive industrial development, sale of countryside or residential (capital-raising) development.
I was President of the Student Union, and sat on the Governing Body, when the Imperial merger agreement was signed in 1997/8. In August I moved back into the village. It is a wonderful place - we have a duty to ensure it remains so.

Comments by Rachael Moorhead, Bodsham from United Kingdom on Friday, January 13, 2006 at 11:37 - IP Logged
It was very telling that representation of information at the public meeting was so contradictory and ambiguous. The presentation indicated 1,400 new jobs at Wye but the Parish Council at an earlier private meeting was told 5,000 new jobs. Confusingly, the College’s press release highlights 12,500 new jobs. When asked where these jobs will be sited, we were told “not determined at this stage” which means no meaningful debate possible. Equally, when asked if Wye will house manufacturing facilities, the ambiguous answer of “there are no current plans” came back. It seems convenient that these details are left so vague because no village/local area could stand up for their area. Everything is a movable feast hence proper scrutiny becomes impossible. What a clever but unseemly strategy on part of Imperial!

Comments by Ben Moorhead from United Kingdom on Friday, January 13, 2006 at 10:06 - IP Logged
Ben Moorhead from Bodsham.Have said my bit in Kentish Expr. on 5th jan and at meeting. Agree with Gary P but Wye should mobilise an Action Group.The group should almost have military approach with reps for PR,publicity, Documents,planning,Secretariat,Treasurer,college liason ,legal. There will be huge local and national support for the cause, once clarified.I have done quite a bit of briefing already but will not disclose details on this site.

Comments by Jim from United States on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 21:05 - IP Logged
Having visited and loved every minute of my time on 3 occasions over the last 10 years I am absolutely appalled that your Government (and it seems your locally elected representatives?)would allow the destruction of your natural history and the beauty of Wye, the surrounding villages and countryside.
If I lived in Wye I would gather every good brain available to fight this with everything you have.
You need simply visit American to see what these 'Science Parks' have done to our environment.
Whilst on the dollars, a contribution by 900 village people of an average of $100 makes a War Chest of $90,000 (pounds of course) That is a substantial amount to get things moving
Let me know where to send my contribution.

Comments by Kerry Bethel from United Kingdom on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 19:56 - IP Logged
It seems odd that a lot of the support comments(whilst far outnumbered by the against) are from "ANON".Makes one wonder who is orchestrating?

Comments by anon from United Kingdom on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 18:56 - IP Logged
The plans may scare some people but we have to face facts we live in a society that is using its natural resources up faster and faster a research facilty that can hopefuly save us from ourselves can only be a good idea. This project will create jobs , jobs that are needed. If the proposal is overturned we will only have the not in my backyard people to blame for the loss of the rest of our jobs at the college many have already been lost thru imperial colleges changes do the people of wye really want the rest of us to go ?

Comments by Rachael Moorhead, Bodsham from United Kingdom on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 17:40 - IP Logged
Imperial’s Science Park Public Meeting on 9th January was a ½ hour presentation giving no details of the proposed development but featuring a “sales pitch” on the “good deeds” of the research facility. Thanks to intelligent questions from the audience, certain pertinent details emerged. Local communities must now press for the following: (1) A date by which Imperial must disclose preliminary details of the number of new buildings/houses and their location. (2) Imperial’s Business Plan and Feasibility Studies (as already presented to the Council and financial backers) to be published to the public. It is inconceivable that Imperial has no idea as to how many buildings and houses they will require and their respective locations! (3) Is the project financially viable? Imperial confirmed it will sell agricultural land to pay for part of the project! We need to see their Funding Plan, names of backers and details of alleged UK and EU grants and the conditions attached

Comments by J>M> from United Kingdom on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 10:36 - IP Logged
We are all shocked,but this project will take some time to become clear to us all.The Parish Council is in the throes of organiseing a group to consider the facts and how to deal with them-when we know them,so be patient for a few days and wait for an announcement.

Comments by Gary P from United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 18:48 - IP Logged
Final part...
I suggest that we need a residents meeting to start the process and finding representatives. This initiative needs to come from Wye as the most affected community and you will get support from the affected villages. Wye and the surounding villages ar full of talented people with skills and contact - pull them together and you have the makings of an effective team to fight this...
But we need to get organised NOW! If we wait until the plans are available, we will be on the back foot and it will be too late....
As was stated, change is inevitable - but what change is partly in our own hands. If we do not take action to look out for our own interests, we will only have ourselves to blame for what happens....

Comments by Gary P from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 20:35 - IP Logged
Part 3....
If Imperial decide to leave Wye, what will happen to the land? They will sell to other developers I wager. Not exactly a winning situation either.
On the other hand, we can accept the inevitable and focus our energies on making sure that the development has a minimal an impact as possible - maximum use of "brownfield" sites, minimum overall land use (acerage), buildings that are "asthetic" and not eysores, minimal and appropriate housing development in the AONB and in keeping with the natural environment, etc...
Either way we need to organise. As a bunch of individuals we have no chance of forming an effective defence against all this political power. We need to organise, and speak as one voice. We need representatives that are able to meet with Imperial, KCC, ABC on a regular basis and provide level headed, impartial feedback to the communities involved - rather than relying on propaganda (?) fed to us from all sorts of different directions......

Comments by Celia Timms from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 19:21 - IP Logged
I agree, so far this has been a public relations disaster.
The idea of a research centre is a good one but NOT on this scale. The Ashford area is already consumed by plans for development. A project of this size should take place where the infrastructure already exists to support it. Instead these plans aim to build in an inaccessible, inappropriate area and then forge new roads through the countryside. Presumably if a new road is built then development will also take place along its length?
In the end if no one listens to us we will have a pfizer like site on our doorstep. in the meantime it will be 10yrs+ of construction traffic thundering through the village.
If we can make a difference I think we should oppose this.
Surely Imperial can maximise the use of the college and land without undertaking such and overambitious, environmentaly damaging project?

Comments by Gary P from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 14:42 - IP Logged
Fact: It will have a major impact in Wye. 3-5000 jobs (still to be determined) for a village of population 2300.
Fact: It will have a major impact on the surrounding villages, especially those surrounded by college land. The news on the possible road from junction 10A, presumably eventually joining up with the A28 somewhere, was new. Look on the map - Brabourne, Brook, Naccolt, Wye and Godmersham are likely to be affected (no or existing rail / river crossings needed! - cheapest option).
So what can we do? On the one hand we can try and stop this now - organise, deliver petitions, protest in London and create bad (?) press for Imperial, write to our elected representatives, etc.. Somehow though, I think that this will have minimal impact on the proposal - too much money involved and too much political will. And even if it does succeed, Imperial will most likely pull out of Wye (either by necessity or in spite).

Comments by Gary P from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 10:19 - IP Logged
I'm only allowed 1000 words, so I had to break up my comments into several notes.
I too was at the meeting last night, and left with a certain feeling of inevitability. Once I had put the feeling of dissapointment and anger to one side, I tried to look at this whole situation dispassionatly...
Fact: Imperial owns a significant part of Wye and land in the surrounding areas.
Fact: They have decided (rightly or wrongly) that status quo is not an option for them.
Fact: It helps Kent CC and Ashford BC in developing the area and "raising the International profile" of Kent.
Fact: The research they are proposing is indeed cutting-edge, and could make the area a center of excellence and extremely important as alternate energy sources dwindle - oil is also used to make a large number of chemicals etc. too, not just for fuel.
Fact: To grow "non-food" crops, they will need just as much land as "food" crops", which is perhaps why they bought Wye college in the first place.....

Comments by Diana Pound, Wye from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 00:24 - IP Logged
Having just returned from the meeting I want to clarify my own view - misunderstood by some people given their responses to me afterwards.
I support a thriving academic and research establishment at Wye that is appropriate in nature and scale.
I raised the Pfizer comparison because of the 5000 jobs quoted in the newspaper and via an informed source. If I correctly understood the answer, Imperial envisage employing 1400 within their ‘own curtilage’. Pete Raine (KCC) said the guestimate of 12,500 jobs overall included an additional 2500 in the Wye Science Park adjacent to Imperial’s Development. So if I understood this correctly, this adds up to 3900 jobs in Wye - still more than at Pfizer on 350 acres in multi-storey buildings and no housing. Even if the Wye proposal fits in a much smaller site it is not an appropriate scale of development for this village – nor within an AONB – nor do I want to see a new road carving across the landscape from Wye to the Motorway.

Comments by Mike Holland from United Kingdom on Monday, January 09, 2006 at 22:53 - IP Logged
Just got back from the meeting and can hardly contain myself. What a display of institutional arrogance. A bit of diversionary waffle about the quality of Imperial's science - then the vision - to transform the village whether we like it or not. There really was no attempt at true consultation, nobody asked what it was that local residents wanted for their villages. Rather we were informed that this is what Imperial thought was best for us (for us!!). A bit of a wasted opportunity really as I am sure that there are components of the research led, science park scenario that, given a more appropriate scale (and a real participative approach) could provide some part of a sustainable future for the area. Once I have calmed down a bit I would like to make contact with like minded people to see how we can best contribute to ensuring that our own vision of our local future is best promoted as early as possible in this critical planning process.
Mike Holland
Brook

Comments by Diana Pound, Wye from United Kingdom on Monday, January 09, 2006 at 17:08 - IP Logged
Pfizers site is huge but according to Pfizer's own website:
"The organisation occupies a 340-acre site close to the ancient cinque port of Sandwich in Kent. There are approximately 3,600 staff based at this site"
So if the rumoured 5000 to be employed at Wye is correct it would dwarf the Pfizer development

Comments by Tim S from United Kingdom on Monday, January 09, 2006 at 09:54 - IP Logged
As a resident of Brook, yesterday was the first time I had heard anything about this, when the Brook News dropped through my letterbox, the immediate worry of over development and distruction of the green fields that surround our villages with inappropriate housing, and the no doubt, necessary infastructure to service these developements, schools, shops etc. was my first thought. Then visions of Pfizer fashed into my head, have you seen the size of the car parks alone? If the posting by Sarah Loftus is accurate then Pfizers employ 5000 people, how many of the 12,500 promised jobs will be full time on site? Even if it is 6000, that has to be 4000 cars - just think about that for a moment...
I'm currently thinking about leaving this part of the country and relocating to the North West to find some more green space, and I'm sorry to say that this is just another nail in the coffin of Kent, once the Garden of England, what are we now?

Comments by anon from United Kingdom on Sunday, January 08, 2006 at 19:37 - IP Logged
i think that development will be in kept with rural gudelines, but why not build near/in wye?? and why do the have to build in ashford?? is it ok for to build towards/near other vilages and not in wye?? if wasnt for the college infrastructure of no busses/own taxi service and decent trains staff and students are forced to use and supprt local buisness,what would happen if a large food superstore built in wye as like tenterden?? would the villagers not use it?? lets keep an open mind and not jump the gun and start down an angry road of resentment before all facts are heard.

Comments by Anon from United Kingdom on Saturday, January 07, 2006 at 12:53 - IP Logged
Go for it,This day and age developement can fit the environment it is in put in and taking into account the natural surroundings will of course be at the top of any developement in the village. This will benefit all in the Village and those who rely on the college for employment we might not live here but we all have our bills and mortgages to pay as well. This is good news for the current employees and also the future ones. I am sure a majority of the village residents who commute and work deirectly or indirectly for companies that will invest and benifit from such a research facilty. We can't halt progress but we can make it fit the environment we live and work in and I am sure Wye will be a prime example of this and set the standard for future developements.As for housing developement I am sure that people working here would like to live here to and i believe a majority of new housing will be aimed at those employed by the college in it's new venture.

Comments by Dave Hayes from United Kingdom on Friday, January 06, 2006 at 17:26 - IP Logged
Should we be negative? No. Should we be cautious? Yes. But lets keep open minds these are radical proposals which could put the life back into Wye not just the college. Fear of the unknown is understandable but the opportunity for the future to benefit not just our small community but future generations must be given chance. Communication between all partys must be open and challenges met to provide for the future, with respect for the local enviroment.

Comments by Kevin Barlow. from United Kingdom on Friday, January 06, 2006 at 12:07 - IP Logged
Being as shocked as everyone else in the village about the plans and totally opposed to what seems like an excuss to build all the new housing requirements for Ashford in one place i would implore eveyone in the village to attend the meeting on Monday 9th January at 19.30 in the Swanley Hall at Witherdane. Please contact Wendy Reaside at w.raeside@imperial.ac.uk to register your intention to attend the meeting. hope to see the whole village there!

Comments by Sally Evans from United Kingdom on Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 12:21 - IP Logged
Completely inappropriate for a precious quiet space in Kent's over-busy landscape; whilst I agree that if Wyecycle's suggestions are followed to the letter then plans could be transformed into something inspirational. Sensitive 'progress' is required in an over-pressured landscape, not endless 'growth' - a concept which is fundamentally flawed in a finite space; notwithstanding the needs of other species, habitat fragmentation and pollution which continue to affect us all whether or not we choose to acknowledge them . .

Comments by Dr John Walters from United Kingdom on Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 09:55 - IP Logged
As an ex-student and now a (recent) resident of Wye, I find it very difficult to make the positives outweigh the enormous negatives from this potentially seismic change to the village of Wye. One of the few certainties is that,so far, it has been a public relations disater and it will take some fancy footwork and very straight talking on January 9th to overcome the enormous resentment that has built up in the village since the news broke. For me as a pseudo-scientist, the idea of continued academic teaching and cutting edge research is both appealing and exciting. But not at any cost, and ceratinly not at the expense of an entire (protected) village and some stunning (protected) lanscape.

Comments by Johnny Holland from United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 at 14:01 - IP Logged
Is this just an excuse to build houses? I have my doubts. Further academic development yes, housing estates no! I too can't be there on Monday 9th. Good luck!

Comments by Sarah Loftus from United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 at 14:32 - IP Logged
I write as a resident of East Kent who had recently decided that Wye was the place for me. Enough said.
What I will say though is that it might be worth taking a look at Pfizer at Sandwich. From what I understand, Pfizer employs around 5000, the same as the proposal for the science park. But Pfizer is outside Sandwich. What is a problem in Sandwich and all around the area is the increased traffic - obvious really. Pfizer have had to build new roads etc and have contributed greatly to the infrastructure. But I suggest taking a look just to get an impression of the sheer scale of the site. It dwarfs everything around it, including the village.
Regards
Sarah

Comments by DAVID TROWELL from United Kingdom on Sunday, January 01, 2006 at 20:58 - IP Logged
UTTERLY DEPLORABLE!!!! YET MORE BULLDOZING BY SO CALLED BENEFACTORS OF THE ENVIRONMENT!!

Comments by John Whitehill from United States on Sunday, January 01, 2006 at 00:49 - IP Logged
I was a post graduate student at the college in the early 1970s. The proposed development is a profound change in the life of the village. Wye will be altered immeasurably, hopefully for the betterment of the village, the county and the world. Growth is not without pain, but it is inevitable.

Comments by Colin Hamer from United Kingdom on Friday, December 16, 2005 at 15:17 - IP Logged
I've been here before with the Kings Hill development at West Malling, once the borough, county, government is backing something as individuals voice will we have.
Doesn't Science Park=Industrial estate?

Comments by Jo W from United Kingdom on Friday, December 16, 2005 at 14:24 - IP Logged
Adam, I assume you don't live in Wye.
When the Concordat says "some of that [£1bn] funding will need to be derived from Imperial College's landholding at Wye", that can only mean selling land off for development. I was looking forward to leaving London and moving to Wye to be 'closer to the land' and family connections, and to live in a small, lively village - I'm sad to say I'm not sure I'll be moving there now. Even Imperial College growing biopharmceutical crops on their land would be preferable to them building executive hutches all over it. If I'd wanted to live on the edge of a large industrial park I'd be moving to Slough (or Ashford). Good luck in your campaign against this monster!

Comments by Gary P from United Kingdom on Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 20:44 - IP Logged
The comment in the press release "in the potential for non-food crops and ‘biomass’ to be turned into clean and affordable bio-fuels and products," is interesting. Heard of biopharmaceuticals??? Similar to GM crops but instead of growing foods, the plants are used to grow drugs. Is this the cutting edge technology Imperial are investing in? They have plenty of land in the area to "produce" biopharmaceuticals.....

Comments by Adam Kashin from England on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 12:44 - IP Logged
I have read the updates regarding Wye, and providing a research centre which will benefit the whole of Britain let alone the South-East, Wye is lucky to be chosen as the future number 1 Research Centre in the world


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