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This page includes:
Press Coverage Highlights and
Press Releases
Essex
County Standard 23 October 2009 (pdf 386Kb)
Constable country's lottery bid
The Dedham Vale (AONB) and Stour Valley Project has made a lottery
bid. If it is successful, the scheme will deliver a range of wildlife,
landscape, archaeology, and visitor-related projects over the next
three years. A quotation from
Sula Rayska of Rayska Heritage Consultants in Shrewsbury in the ECS article
appeared to imply that planning permission for Horkesley Park would be
granted. SVAG wrote to correct this impression in a letter
to the ECS published on October 30th (pdf
18Kb).
Essex County Standard 3 July 2009 (pdf 415Kb)
Horkesley Park: the north-south divide on council
Concern
has been expressed that the new CBC planning committee has no representative
from wards to the north of Colchester that will
be affected by Horkesley Park. Local resident Lesley Watson says that
residents from these wards "have been disenfranchised as far as
planning issues are concerned".
Suffolk
Free Press 4 June 2009 (pdf 195Kb)
£25m heritage centre delayed
The Highways Agency, a statutory consultee, has told planners it
needs more information from developers Bunting and Sons about the
traffic implications
of the Horkesley Park project before it can comment. Colchester Borough
Council's senior planning officer John Davies said: "The council
was originally looking at considering the application in June, but
we're
now waiting for the highways issues to be resolved."
Essex County Standard 29 May 2009 (pdf 175Kb)
Shadow minister backs down over Horkesley Park
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, shadow international
trade and development minister, had given his backing for the proposed Horkesley
Park heritage and conservation centre during a visit to Westwood Park
organised by the Essex Chambers of Commerce. Now Mr Clifton-Brown,
has withdrawn his comments. Speaking to the County Standard, he said, "I
feel I was misled. I had no idea
the issue I was speaking on was such a controversial planning matter".
Essex
County Standard 22 May 2009 (pdf 182Kb)
Public inquiry should decide heritage
park plan, says MP
North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has asked for the application
to be heard through a public enquiry led by a Government inspector. In his
letter, he states: "It contravenes Colchester Council's strategic plan and
meets criteria for calling in".
Essex County Standard 15 May 2009 (pdf 300Kb)
Traffic questions hold up heritage park
plans
The Highways Agency, a statutory consultee on planning applications,
has said the bid cannot be approved until it has received more information
about the traffic implications of the scheme.
Essex County Standard 8 May 2009 (pdf 245Kb)
BOMBSHELL: Damning council report criticises Horkesley Park project and
voices concerns on 'negative traffic and landscape impacts'
The report's conclusion states: "It is considered the tourism
and job creation benefits of the Horkesley Park
proposal have been overstated and are, in any case, outweighed by the negative
traffic and landscape impacts of its large scale."
Essex County Standard 8 May 2009 (pdf 355Kb)
Battle lines drawn over Horkesley Park plans
With the consultation period now closed, leading groups have given their
support - to both sides. Among those opposing are the National Trust,
Natural England, CPRE Essex, and the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley
Advisory Committee whilst the East of England Development Agency, Essex
Chambers of Commerce, Banham Zoo and the Suufolk Horse Society support
the application.
Essex County Standard 1 May 2009 (pdf 172Kb)
Heritage centre proposals 'to be heard in weeks'
Colchester Council's principal planning officer, Mr John Davies
said it was hoped the application would be considered by the planning
committee
by June 10. He said all submissions would be considered
but added, "At the end of the day, the main consideration will
be the policy
issues
- local policies along with the core strategy and the national guidelines
- these are going to be crucial in determinng the application."
Suffolk
Free Press 30 April 2009 (pdf
177Kb)
Farmers and traders oppose heritage plan
Twenty Stour Valley farmers and 32 owners of small businesses have signed
letters to Colchester Council objecting to the proposed Horkesley Park
heritage and conservation centre.
East
Anglian Daily Times 28 April 2009 (pdf 237Kb)
Famous name against heritage centre
Dr John Constable, the great-great-great grandson
of the artist who painted landscapes in the Dedham Vale, said he believed the
Horkesley Park conservation and heritage centre was out-of-sacle and
out-of-keeping with the countryside around it. He added,"There
is not a chance of it becoming a major Constable centre. It is too far
away
from the major Constable associations of Dedham and Flatford Mill." He
went on to say in the online edition of this article, “It would
become a large retail site and I really don't think people want to come
to Constable
country
for Bluewater-on-Stour.
It just doesn't seem the right thing to do."
East
Anglian Daily Times 24 April 2009 (pdf 258Kb)
Heritage centre plan objections submitted
SVAG has now formally submitted its objections to Horkesley Park. The protest
group employed its own independent
consultants to help prepare their submission document. (Click
here for details)
Essex
County Standard 24 April 2009 (pdf 296Kb)
Author fights to stop
heritage park, as 30,000 people back controversial plan
30,000: fact or fiction? In response SVAG issued a press
release (see below) detailing how that the 30,000
figure cannot be factual.
"I'd be
sad if this went ahead"
Says world renowned
children's author and artist Mick Inkpen who backs the objection. He adds, "Although
Horkesley Park wants to celebrate bygone, rural heritage it is attempting
to do this by resorting to the very opposite".
Protest group sets out its objections
SVAG employed
independent consultants to prepare its formal objection letter with detailed
reasoning for submission to Colchester Borough Council. (Click
here for details)
East Anglian Daily Times 18April 2009 (pdf 274Kb)
Major support for Vale visitor centre
The East of England Development Agency backs Horkesley Park saying it
would bring significant benefits to the area. However, in SVAG's consultants'
views the potential number of visitors to the park and the projected
level of spend per visitor is grossly overstated, which would undermine
the employment figures suggested.
Essex
County Standard 17 April 2009 (pdf 422Kb)
Standard Focus: the great Horkesley Park
debate
Featuring: Just a taste of things to come,
say protestors; 32 firms object to council; Culture issue claims
writer; Farmers fear the impact of more
cars; "It doesn't bear thinking about".
Suffolk
Free Press 16 April 2009 (pdf 188Kb)
Vintage fire engine joins roads protest
Vehicles of all shapes and sizes out to highlight potential congestion:
The rally was hailed as a success making a powerful point for SVAG,
but Stephen Bunting dismissed it as an inappropriate publicity stunt.
East Anglian Daily Times 14 April 2009 (pdf 335Kb)
Villagers campaign against heritage site
Hundreds of cars, tractors and lorries were out in force to highlight
the possible impact that Horkesley Park could have on the local way of
life.
Daily
Gazette 14 April 2009 (pdf 304Kb)
Fight against centre is taken to the road
Hundreds of campaigners
brought traffic to a standstill in Constable Country with a four-wheeled protest
at plans for a heritage centre. Will Pavry
said, "We want to make sure the community at large is fully aware
of the impact the Horkesley Park development will have on the A134 and
all the other local roads".
Essex County Standard 10 April 2009 (pdf 218 Kb)
Site objectors take protest to the roads
SVAG plan to take to the roads to highlight their concerns. Will Pavry
said, "The intention is to inconvenience the travelling public as little
as possible while demonstrating
what the
impact of traffic on the A134 might be like if this proposal were to go
ahead."
Suffolk Free Press 9 April 2009 (pdf 227Kb)
Protesters call to put rural roads to the test
SVAG has called a rally on Easter Monday to demonstrate
their concerns. Kate Charlton-Jones said, "If Horkesley Park was up and running,
Easter would be a peak time so we are providing our own holiday traffic."
Essex
County Standard 27 March 2009 (pdf 246KB)
77,632 would visit the centre in August alone
A report accompanying the application shows huge projected visitor
numbers with 3,505 visitors a day during August. The cost of an
adult ticket
for the
whole
site is
expected
to be £14.95. Tickets prices for the country park would be £10.95
for adults and £7.45 for children. Objectors question whether
this centre will be viable.
Essex County Standard 27 March 2009 (pdf 695Kb)
Horkesley Park battle lines drawn between residents and the Buntings
The journey has taken Buntings nine years; they claim
they have listened to the public and made changes to the proposals.
SVAG still have major concerns and will continue the fight,
which has been going on longer than the Second World War, to protect
the Dedham Vale AONB for future generations.
East
Anglian Daily Times 16 March 2009 (pdf 233Kb)
Legal threat over tourist site claims
SVAG accused of misinformation. Click here for details of the letter from
Buntings (pdf 1.1Mb), and of SVAG's
response (pdf 17Kb).
Essex
County Standard 6 March 2009 (pdf 541Kb)
Vale in the running for world heritage status?
"The construction of a major retail park, which is in essence what the
so-called Heritage Centre at Horkesley Park will be, could well prejudice
any application for inclusion on the UK's nominations for the World Heritage
List" explained Robert Erith, president of the Dedham Vale Society.
Essex
County Standard 27 February 2009 (pdf
409Kb)
Battle over £20m heritage scheme
The
plans for a major tourism centre in the Dedham Vale have evoked concerns
among villages and groups dedicated to protecting
the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley. Bill Watson, chairman of Little
Horkesley Parish Council said, "The retail element seems to be completely
dominant in the scheme which is supposed to be about countryside
and nature". Charles Clover, chairman of the Dedham Vale Society
said, "Total sales from the scheme have been put at £13.4 million
a year - that is retail development".
Suffolk
Free Press 26 February 2009 (pdf 396Kb)
Renewed plan for heritage centre
Updated plans for an ambitious £20 million heritage and conservation
centre have failed to convince objectors concerned about the impact
on the character of the Stour Valley and the surrounding villages.
East
Anglian Daily Times 20 February 2009 (pdf
313Kb)
Bid for new heritage park is resurrected
In this announcement of their latest planning application
Buntings claim they have overwhelming support, backed by a petition,
for their
project. SVAG said they would need to examine the latest proposals
before giving a considered view on them. This begs the question,
what did those signing the petition sign up to support?
Essex
County Standard 20 February 2009 (pdf 144Kb)
Good for some ... but is it good for everyone?
Editirial comment asked the crucial
question: "This project, if given permission, will change
Great Horkesley and the surrounding villages forever. The question
is: for better or worse?"
Essex
County Standard 20 February 2009 (pdf
402Kb)
£20m heritage centre unveiled: A
place to celebrate the English countryside
Buntings announced a new planning application has been
submitted for their centre. They claim the latest
proposals have been drawn up after listening to the views of the
public.
SVAG was unable
to comment
before
the article went
to press.
Essex
County Standard 3 August 2007 (pdf 159Kb)
The only news is no news.
Bunting's application would appear
to be delayed until the autumn.
East
Anglian Daily Times 25 June 2007 (pdf
264Kb)
'Support' claims for rural centre
attacked
As protestors hit back at claims of support
for the heritage centre Bernard Jenkin, MP for North Essex,
said he regarded this development was too controvesial
to be
resolved locally and can only
be settled by a public inquiry.
Essex
County Standard 22 June 2007. (pdf 217Kb)
'90 per cent support plan,
say Bunting's
Buntings
continue with their claim that the
majority of visitors to their events supported
the proposed scheme. However
the Chairman of SVAG believes these figures are pretty misleading.
Suffolk
Free Press 21 June 2007. (pdf 220Kb)
'Buntings: We have backing
for Stour plan'
Following a 'public consultation' to gauge
reaction of the public, Buntings
announce that the majority of visitors were either supportive
or voiced no objection to their proposals.
Suffolk
Free Press 24 May 2007. (pdf 368Kb)
'Art historian gives heritage site warning'
At his lecture on 'Who owns Constable's Country?' Professor
Michael Rosenthal of Warwick University said of the proposed Horkesley
Park, "Having
studied the plans, I think the centre has got the potential to create
a lot of environmental damage".
Suffolk
Free Press 17 May 2007. (pdf 470Kb)
‘Protesters
step up Stour centre fight’
SVAG backed up by Nayland with Wissington Conservation
Society urge objectors to 'Say No to Horkesley Park' when a new application
is submitted.
East
Anglian Daily Times 11 May 2007. (pdf 294Kb)
‘Heritage
centre plan under fire in protest’
Making
a point: Protesters say everything that Buntings are proposing already
exists in the area -
amazing garden centres, marvellous old pubs,
and Suffolk Punches still being used at Stoke by Nayland.
East
Anglian Daily Times 12 April 2007. (pdf
288Kb)
‘Art
historian attacks plans’
Michael Rosenthal
is to give a lecture highlighting the changing demands on the region's
landscape, backing the campaigns of SVAG and the Nayland with Wissington
Conservation Society.
East
Anglian Daily Times 9 April 2007. (pdf 311Kb)
‘Concerns
over tourist scheme’
Retail
elements under attack. Will
Pavry, SVAG chairman, expresses concerns that the proposed application will
not be significantly
different to previous applications.
East
Anglian Daily Times 2 April
2007. (pdf 428Kb)
‘New
plans for major heritage attraction’
In
their fourth attempt at gaining planning Buntings announce a consultation
process. A £15,000 3D model is to form part of an exhibition ahead of new plans
for a controversial countryside
tourist attraction.
Country
Life 6 April 2006 (pdf
344Kb)
'Constable
Controversy'
‘
Constable
country retains its beauty and tranquillity thanks to sustained earlier
battles fought notably by
the architect
Raymond Erith, the Dedham
Vale Society and the National Trust. The Stour Valley Action Group is
fighting for an equally worthy cause.’
Evening
Gazette 4 April 2006. (pdf 189Kb)
‘Heritage
Scheme Withdrawn’
Controversial plans for a Constable heritage centre have been withdrawn while
improvements are made to the scheme.
Essex
County Standard 3 March 2006 (pdf 94Kb)
‘New row over Constable
Centre’
Suggestions of financial links between backers of a controversial John
Constable heritage centre and a far eastern constrution company which
has expressed support for the project have been dismissed as ‘completely
untrue’.
The
Mail On Sunday 26 February 2006 (pdf
555Kb )
‘ Chinese Invade Constable Country’
‘
Peking backs plan for £20m theme park that locals fear will ruin
Hay Wain landscape for ever.’
Private Eye
17 February 2006 (pdf
109Kb)
‘Sweet and Stour’
‘
Anger in Essex over plans for the Horkesley park “heritage centre” – a
100,000 sq ft garden centre with 1,125-seat café in Constable
country.’ The oddity of a classical Chinese garden in this ‘celebration’ of
Englishness.
The
Guardian TRAVEL 11 February 2006 (pdf
22Kb)
Architecture correspondent Jonathan Glancey considers the implications
of Horkesley Park in his listing of the travesties and wonders of the
world’s tourist landscapes.
The
Guardian 4 February 2006 (pdf
469Kb)
‘ Theme Park proposal
makes waves in Constable Country’
Plans for a £20m tourist attraction in the valley that inspired
John Constable have provoked accusations that a quiet slice of the English
countryside is about to fall victim to theme-park tourism.
The
Daily Telegraph 4 February 2006 (pdf
623Kb)
‘ Storm
gathers over Constable ‘Theme
Park’
Villagers fear tourists will destroy rural tranquillity
Evening
Gazette 2 February 2006 (pdf
151Kb)
‘ Business petition
against country park’
A group of small businesses have banded together to sign an open
letter against the proposed Horkesley Park development.
The
Mail on Sunday Property
on Sunday 29
January 2006 (pdf
858Kb)
‘ Why this
Constable theme park may destroy the very countryside he loved’
Danae Brook offers a personal view on plans for a ‘conservation’ centre
in the stunning valley that inspired The Hay Wain.
Financial
Times 28 January 2006 (pdf
544Kb )
‘
Constable Country’s brush
with controversy’
Plans for a £20m ‘theme park’ development celebrating
the painter’s life and times face vehement opposition.
Essex
County Standard 6 January 2006 (408pdf
)
Viewpoint. ‘This is why we
don’t need heritage scheme'
Will Pavry, SVAG chairman, puts the case against the Horkesley Park development.
Essex
County Standard 30 December 2005 (pdf
306Kb)
Viewpoint. ‘Why we need
a Horkesley heritage centre’
Stephen Bunting of Bunting and Sons puts forward his case for the Horkesley
Park Heritage Park and Conservation Centre.
Essex
County Standard 16 December 2005 (pdf
358Kb)
‘Traffic fears over heritage
park plan’ and ‘Save
us from ‘theme
park’.
Great Horkesley parish council opposes park plan, and farmers are calling
for the Essex countryside to be saved from the threat of a ‘theme
park’.
SVAG
Press Release 24 April 2009 (pdf
28Kb)
Following today's Essex County Standard which carried the shocking banner
headline 'Author fights to stop heritage park, as 30,000 people back
controversial
plan' SVAG reply that this 30,000 figure is wrong and merits an immediate
response.
SVAG Press Release 20 April 2009 (pdf 40Kb)
SVAG's formal response
to the Horkesley Park proposals
The Stour Valley
Action Group has now submitted its formal response to the Horkesley Park
proposals submitted by Bunting
and Sons to the Colchester Borough Council.
SVAG Press Release 13 April 2009 (pdf 137Kb)
SVAG Rally Easter Monday
Constable Country speaks for itself. The Stour Valley Action Group rally
brought together people of all ages as a demonstration in the truest
sense of the word, showing people how things might be.
SVAG
Press Release 18 May 2007 (pdf
30Kb)
Who
Owns Constable Country?
Professor Michael Rosenthal of Warwick University delivered a hard-hitting
lecture in aid of the Stour Valley Action Group.
SVAG
Press Release 4 May 2007 (pdf
30Kb)
Campaigners
to visit Horkesley Park Exhibition
SVAG would like to invite members of the press to join them when they view
Bunting and Sons’ promotional exhibition for the projected ‘Horkesley
Park Heritage and Conservation Centre’ at Colchester Town Hall on 10th
May.
SVAG
Press Release 6 April 2007 (pdf
23Kb)
Annnouncement
of Bunting’s Relaunch.
Saviours or exploiters? Is the Suffolk Punch to be a gimmick of the new campaign?
SVAG
Press Release 25 February 2007 (pdf
133Kb)
A Sneak Preview of Horkesley
Park.
Could this be the real future of Horkesley Park: Suffolk Punches as the centrepiece
of an urban retail complex?
SVAG
Press Release 6 April 2006 (pdf
23Kb)
Annnouncement of Bunting's
withdrawal.
Summary of successful SVAG campaign.