Stroud District Council will soon (9 February) be considering a planning application for a motorway service area (MSA) near Matson. Several members of St Katharine's ministry team have been actively supporting these plans and here are some of the reasons:-1. At least 300 new jobs with training many of which will go to people from Matson
2. A new cafe in Matson offering work and training
3. Cycle-paths to ease congestion and encourage more people out of their cars
4. The majority of the service area will be transformed from pasture land to a wildlife corridor improving the health and beauty of our natural environment
5. Food served at the MSA will be from local producers where possible which means even more jobs and a healthier local economy
6. Because Gloucestershire Gateway is by and for local people it will raise money for local grass-roots projects not for corporate profits (as in previous MSA proposals).
There is some opposition to the plans on the grounds of aesthetics and environmental concerns but these concerns relate to the previous plans for an MSA on the site which were rightly rejected.
It is likely that opposition will come from Brookthorpe where a meeting opposing the plans has been held. Brookthorpe opposition is generally more literate and middle class than Matson and there is a danger that their letter writing will not reflect public feeling since most of those who support the proposal are unlikely to be good letter writers. All the more reason why those of us who do support the project - because it's good for the people of Matson - and are good at writing letters do so.
If a minority of people who don't need to apply for these 300 jobs but are articulate writers spoil it for those who both see the environmental and economic benefits of the project a great injustice would be done.
- To see the planning application click here. Half way down the page you will see a button "submit a comment".
- To see the gateway website click here.
If you want to talk to someone from Gloucestershire Gateway Services the contact
What a patronising view that Matson people are less literate. I have lived in Matson for virtually all of my life and am quite literate, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have struggled with getting employment in the past and am quite aware that extra jobs are needed in Gloucester. However there is no mechanism by which these jobs can be guaranteed for Matson residents, Gloucester residents or even British citizens. European Union citizens are just as entitled to these jobs as anyone else and attempts to discriminate in favour of Matson residents would be highly illegal.
The Highways Agency rules on the structure of and access to Motorway Service Areas preclude the possibility of any cycle paths. Regarding rights of way the only result of this MSA will be the loss of 3 public footpaths running through the site.
Unimproved pasture land is one of the habitats which is being lost at the greatest rate both through natural and unnatural processes. The landscape as it already is serves a significant purpose in nature.
Research on poverty has found that ill-health is one of the root causes of poverty in Britain and around the world. This MSA is unnecessary and will be a source of many forms of pollution. The prevailing winds in this valley drive pollution from the motorway to Matson. Further pollution from the MSA has the potential to cause further incidence of respiratory diseases in Matson and resulting ill-health will only entrench poverty in the local area.
I notice that you have tagged this post as 'class'. I personally prefer to think we are past class divisions but since you brought it up the only social class that will benefit from this motorway service area will be the itinerant upper middle class who will undoubtedly enjoy the facilities offered by Gloucestershire Gateway Services.
"environmental and economic benefits of "
ReplyDeleteIt's a motorway service station. It doesn't have any environmental benefits.
1". At least 300 new jobs with training many of which will go to people from Matson"
Yes, it might supply some service sector jobs.
No guarantee that they go to local people.
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2. A new cafe in Matson offering work and training"
Looks like a softening up exercise to me.
"3. Cycle-paths to ease congestion and encourage more people out of their cars"
Where? No one is going to drive to a service area to use a car. Are there any plans of these?
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4. The majority of the service area will be transformed from pasture land to a wildlife corridor improving the health and beauty of our natural environment"
Wildlife corridor to where? The majority of it will be transformed into a car park. That does nothing for the beauty.
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5. Food served at the MSA will be from local producers where possible which means even more jobs and a healthier local economy"
Possibly.
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6. Because Gloucestershire Gateway is by and for local people it will raise money for local grass-roots projects not for corporate profits (as in previous MSA proposals)."
It's not by or for local people.