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?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 4:49 AM The Planning Committeees of Northwood Parish Council and Cowes Town Council have now met and discussed the planning application in detail. The view of both Committees was to welcome the application but to express real concerns about the impact of increased traffic generated from the start by the new Aldi Foodstore which would have further impact when the remainder of the site is developed in the future. There was also some scepticism about the need for the other commercial uses at least in the present economic climate. It is however appropriate to point out that the part of the proposals regarding these other non-foodstore uses was for outline permission only. So both Councils will be commenting to the I.W. Council on these issues especially regarding speed reduction from 40mph to 30mph in Newport Road, Three Gates Road and Place Road; re-design of the Somerton Roundabout and improvements to the junction at Three Gates Road and Place Road; creation of safe pedestrian crossings in Newport Road and Three Gates Road; speed reduction measures in Seaview Road and concerns by Cowes Town Council at the possble adverse effect of the Aldi Store on Cowes shops. Assurances were also sought that most if not all of the cost of these measures would be borne by a legally binding agreement with the developers which would in turn be a condition of any planning permission. Further information will be posted in due course. In the meantime residents' views are welcomed and please appreciate your right to put these forward to the Planning Dept direct at Seaclose, Newport. Best wishes Cllr Roger Mazillius.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:30 AM I cannot wait for Aldi to come to Cowes, as grocery shops in town are so expensive which means that I have to travel to a congested Newport every week. I also don’t share the concerns of Cowes Town Council as shops in Cowes only mainly serves immediate locals and sailors leaving most families to travel out of Cowes for their weekly shop. In addition, the parking in Cowes is terrible and this is more of a threat to local traders than Aldi.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 1:20 AM "So both Councils will be commenting to the I.W. Council on these issues especially regarding speed reduction from 40mph to 30mph in Newport Road, Three Gates Road and Place Road" Could we also please have Nodes Road added to that list. Many thanks
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 2:53 AM Having attended the Planning Meeting on Tuesday I'd like to thank the them for listening and taking on the points raised. However, it was a surprise to see only one person and two couples attend. Where are all the invisible anonymous posters on this board ? These plans will change Northwood forever. My fear is that it won't stop here. There is still a large area of land belonging to BAE that is not being considered this time on the application. If we are not careful we will end up not as a prosperous upmarket buisness area that the planners portray but an industrial wasteland burdened with empty units and the associated anti social behaviour these areas bring. N Yule
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009 7:54 AM Thanks Neil and the poster before you. I have already included Nodes Road reduction to 30mph in my comments on the Islandwide Speed Revision consultation process but will also add regarding BAE proposals. With regard to future business development, I do not think there will be much speculative building for such use. Demand will dictate supply, particularly after recent financial experiences. Best wishes, Roger Maz.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Saturday, November 21, 2009 1:02 AM A family bereavement unfortunately kept me away from the meeting, although 'Northwood Apathy' did seem to prevail from what I read. What we all seem to be forgetting is that 'we' never asked for an Aldi.............its being 'forced' on us by BAE, who are doing it for their own finacial gain........not 'ours'. If not curbed, we will soon become a suburb of Newport ! W. Skinner
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Saturday, November 21, 2009 1:27 PM Quote. ' although 'Northwood Apathy' did seem to prevail from what I read' My reply to the quote above from a post by W.Skinner is how do we overcome the dreaded apathy on all issues to do with our community? I am sure the representatives on the PC and other bodies would be over whelmed if a solution could be found to this reaction each time a development or change is proposed any where near us. On this forum it appears that there is a wealth of opinion on all matters being posted, the trouble is none of these views/opinions transfer into bums on seats at meetings. This reluctance to put their head above the parapet is not one of the Island's quintessential quirks but can be seen all over the UK. Small numbers of the population are fixing the way we live, yes, before the yells of 'well that's democracy at work' is there no better way to signal the wishes of population on issues that can have massive impacts on their lives? G R Cotterill Northwood
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009 1:19 PM Did you put your bum on a seat at the planning meeting I wonder ?
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 3:41 AM I didn't see him! Roger M.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 2:53 PM I see we are soon back to the type of childish posts that turn people off entering any debate 'at any location' If Mr Cotterill was not at any of the meetings, at least he tries to engender some debate into local issues, unlike some I could think of. He does this well without resorting to personal silly comments. Flying Scotsman
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2009 11:03 AM It wasn't meant as a "silly comment" rather a retort to Mr C's post about apathy in Northwood. However, at a guess I'd say he wasn't there.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2009 3:08 PM So do as I say, not what I do? Sorry "crawling" Scotsman, but aren't you being too self-righteous? Northwoodian
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009 3:09 AM Perhaps he didnt go, but he does have a view on most subjects and thats more than many. I dont know him and dont always agree with his posts but thats why this Forum is read by many.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Sunday, January 31, 2010 11:22 PM I have heard that an archeological 'dig' has, or is, taking place, to expose and document an ancient settlement that is on this land. Does anyone have any information on this. Withyskinner
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Monday, February 01, 2010 9:56 AM Could be looking for the remains of the Headless pilot that walks this field according to legend. I also belive some old Plessey or Decca workers, got lost in that field during lunch breaks. Old Decca workers can back me up on this, it was a favourite spot for lunch time canoodling in the 60s. That was the days before CCTV spying. ex Plessey/Decca worker with a long memory.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010 3:31 AM Probably true but the canoodling days are only in the distant memories for those old timers if they were doing it in the 60s. But Im sure I will be corrected by a blue pill user. mooner.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Sunday, February 14, 2010 6:26 AM Just to report that the application will be heard in public before the Planning Committee in the Council Chamber at County Hall this Tuesday 16th February at 4pm approx. I will be speaking as local Member in support of the application. Roger Mazillius.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 3:21 AM The application was passed last night by 8 votes to 2. There are many conditions attached to the approval dealing with highway, pedestrian and landscaping matters amongst others. I am told that Aldi are keen to build and open as soon as possible so there is an outside chance this will be achieved for Christmas. However more likely to be early in 2011. This will restore to Northwood and nearby residents the shopping facility so badly missed since Davids (Co-op) closed two? years ago. Best wishes, Roger M.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 3:37 PM Yet another bad planning decision. The loss of the small Somerton store and the coming of an Aldi store is like comparing apples and oranges: the Co-op in Cowes and in Mill Hill Road both serve their local communities admirably and have been trying hard lately following a wobbly period with supply continuity; rumour has it that Sainsbury has realised the mistakes it made when opening the local store in Cowes and is revamping that outlet, better tuned to the community's needs. We just do not NEED an additional significantly-sized, second-tier, out-of-town store which will act as a magnet for the WHOLE of the Island (just as Lidl in Newport does), thereby generating unwelcome increases in traffic volumes, diluting trade in all our local community stores, and further eroding open space between Northwood and Cowes. The argument over job creation is a fragile one: yet more service industry jobs at service industry pay rates for the Island? The whole scheme is predicated (understandably) on commercial gain for BAE Systems, whose continuing commitment to the Island, despite their protestations to the contrary, must be doubted by their very act of 'selling off some of the family silver'. When will the Island realise that what it DOES need to thrive is more high added-value jobs, paying high wages and injecting professional skills and attitudes into the community, maintained preferably within (and serviced by) established Island businesses - not further consumer and retail opportunities as a substitute ad nauseam? But then the accountants always did win....
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:29 AM Well said ! I am a Northwood Resident and ex BAE employee. Selling off Family Silver ?.......how 'very' true........and in the name of 'helping the local economy ?.........rubbish.............with an empty order book, they need cash......and 'quick' !!! Thin end of the wedge to the future BAE 'Industrial Estate' if you ask me.
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:46 AM Sorry anonymous. I could not disagree with you more! You say "Another bad planning decision." Well that with respect goes against the well written paper before the Committee giving all the arguments for and against and which was accepted by 8 out of the 10 members of the Committee. This land has been reserved for commercial use for decades. Sheep grazing may look pretty but it does not create jobs. This site has been crying out for development. The previous owners were keen to fill it up with a housing estate (no lasting jobs there). The planners persisted in this land being retained for new employment purposes and I for one am very glad they did. There are many unemployed here who will be pleased to be in employment even if it is working in a supermarket. As the economic situation improves, the prospect of future employment opportunities from the other types of commercial development will again present new jobs for Islanders. And why do you moan that BAE are "selling off the family silver" when they are in fact creating new employment opportunities out of what would otherwise continue to be a large piece of grass nibbled by sheep! As for the impact of the new store on the Co-op stores, well that is called competition. Why should not Northwood residents enjoy again the opportunity to shop locally instead of having to travel to Cowes or Newport. This store is not another Tesco Superstore. It sells in the main lower priced products which will be extremely good for hard up shoppers. Naturally there will be an impact on other stores, but for example the Mill Hill Road store has been having a very nice trading windfall since the Somerton Store closed. Why should that continue at the expense of Northwood residents who relied on the Somerton Store for their weekly shop? Funnily enough the only commercial objection came from Lidl who are of course Aldi's main "value" competitor and who no doubt understand that some of their trade comes from Northwood and surrounds. By the way, did you also object to the new Waitrose Store in East Cowes? Someone owned that land. Were they also "selling off the family silver?" That "high value" store will I am sure pose as much a threat to Cowes Co-op and Sainsbury as Aldi. As a matter of interest, Aldi like Lidl, do not sell tobacco or newspapers, have no instore bakery, butchery or fishmongers. They have a tightly controlled business plan which has stood the test of time. Just look at their national adverts to see the value they offer. Why should Islands residents be denied this opportunity? As usual, best wishes to all, Roger Mazillius
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 4:44 PM Sorry Roger but you are missing some key points: 1. Over the years, some 700 - 800 'proper' jobs have been lost from this Plessey/Siemens/BAE site due to the continual re-modeling of the business and, unavoidably, prevailing market forces. How many of these lost jobs will be recovered through the present approval? 2. The operational versatility of the site, which attracted Decca in the 1960s, will arguably be compromised by many new buildings adjacent to the BAE facility. 3. Mark my words: the inevitable coming squeeze on UK defence spending, and an over-reliance for many years on domestic UK defence business, will see a slow but sure attrition of activity on this site until the Cowes-based business ceases to be viable and is no longer supported by mainland-based senior management. What then for a coherent plan for re-use of the total site - yet more supermarkets?
?	BAE Systems Planning P/01589/09 Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 1:47 AM Many thanks for this. OK but I must repeat, this site is owned by BAE. They are entitled under our laws to develop their property subject to the laws of the land and presumably their Board of Directors and Shareholders approval. I do not know what the worldwide prognosis is for the products and research gains produced on this site and it may be that your doomsday scenario will happen. On the other hand, this is a world-leading company with thousands of employees who I am sure intend to keep that position of prominence. If this realisation of part of their asset base helps in that regard, that is their business. It is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticise them for keeping the site under-used "just in case". In any event, this development will still leave further undeveloped land within the site for any future expansion. If you think about it, if they did not need this land during the boom years of much higher employment on the site, why should they mothball it now? Anyway, I have to say you could be right and I could be the next Prime Minister! (Only joking) Best wishes, Roger M.