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... or a little way north of Gauda Prime.
I just got this email through from someone I met at Menwith Hill last December:
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Last January 4 of us spotted new security fences, police patrol road, etc at Fylingdales, the other base designated for Star Wars along with Menwith Hill.
We checked with the Planning Office and discovered that 'they' had not put in plans.
We wrote to Alice Mahon MP and she took up the matter with the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon. Result: he's questioned in the House of Commons and there's big publicity.
In the replies we've got from Lewis Moonie, Under Secretary of State for Defence, we find that Menwith Hill and Fylingdales security is being upgraded in response to the Greenpeace anti-Star Wars protest at Menwith Hill last July. The security is needed to counter protesters and needs to go in before the bases are approved for Star Wars. This presupposes that there will be Star Wars for protesters to protest about.
The MoD has now put in RETROSPECTIVE plans for some of these developments, i.e. a police patrol road and another police Gatehouse.
Can you write a letter of objection? We have until next Wednesday to object. The Planning Committee meets on Thursday 9th May.
You can base your objection on the fact that Fylingdales is engaged in USA's war planning so is a potential terrorist target; it endangers the world. It is an eyesore, damaging to the environment - it pollutes the moor which is a Site of Special Scientifiic Interest because of the rare breeding birds; it is destroying the historical heritage of an ancient funerary and passage site. The North York Moors National Park is an amenity for everybody; its economy is heavily dependant on tourism.
There have been so many objections calling for a Public Inquiry they don't know what's hit 'em. We hope that the Planning Committee will ask the Defence Secretary to 'call in' the plans and submit to inquiry. The North York Moors Council hates Fylingdales' location in the National Park - but would probably be happy to see it dumped elsewhere.
The Otterburn Ranges (MoD exercises) Public Inquiry lasted five years, but Geoff Hoon overrode the objectors last October - at the same time as these security measures were going in at Fylingdales.
The address to write to is CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER (MRS V A DILCOCK), NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK COUNCIL, THE OLD VICARAGE, HELMSLEY. YO 62 5BP
Please write letters. I know the Star Wars/spy bases on the moors look *incredibly* cool, but they're not really cool.
And remember - Blake's 7 fans say no to Star Wars. |
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