This morning in my inbox arrived an email from TDC proclaiming how an independent expert had been written and an oh so independent heritage appraisal report had been published on the impact the proposed Arlington superstore development will have on the Dreamland heritage site.
By the time we'd got to the end of the day, it turns out the report author, Dr Chris Miele, specialises in shoe horning in supermarkets into heritage sites and is a partner in the firm, Montague Evans, who in turn seem to have a lengthy relationship with Tesco as a major client. Not sounding so independent now, eh?
The fact that TDC decided to PR this as an independent report with no conflict of interest issues is remarkable. A good PR day? There is a more detailed blog post and all the relevant documents to download for yourself on the Arlington blog.
We wonder how much money has been paid to this consultancy firm that works for the developer to write this 'unbiased' report?
It wouldn't have cost TDC - or us - a penny if the usual NIMBYs hadn't kicked up a fuss.
ReplyDeleteSo, some NIMBY told TDC to commission a dodgy report from the Tesco consultant... and they went and did it?
ReplyDeleteVery few consultants do vertical subject work of this kind and while they may have done work for Tesco in the past, they also have a legal duty of care and the report itself will be scrutinized by English Heritage. So much fairer can that get I wonder?
ReplyDeleteDuty of care and conflict of interest is an interesting topic. And definitely not clear cut. Montagu Evans are clearly main consultants for Tesco Stores. Consultants also have a duty of care to their previous clients for none disclosure, unless Tesco Stores have waived their right to confidentiality in this case? That would have to be be seen? why go to a consultant for a report and why not listen to English Heritage or TDC's own Conservation Dept by re-consulting the application? The report is tainted by association , surely?
ReplyDeleteIt's things like this Simon that give people ammunition to attack the Council, it may well be above board and genuine but it looks like the Council has had a report created by a company with storng ties to Tesco who have a track record of getting stores placed in areas of historic importance...
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day is a Tesco one of the first things we want people to see when they come off the train or round the corner at Buenos Aires... I know the existing buildings, carpark and Arlington are an eyesore but the council can do something about it and Freshwater can afford to pay for it.
TDC is scurrying around trying to find reasons to give Tesco and Freshwater what thy want, but the people we should be looking at are our planning committee members.
ReplyDeleteThey should be ashamed for letting this get so far, especially those who spoke against and then minutes later voted for. it is not a political game, it is the future of our town.
English Heritage should do there own report not rely on T.D.C all the reports done for this site have had a big input from Tesco even the officers report at the planning meeting. Why does this store have to be so big and open 24/7
ReplyDeleteI really don't see why a theme park & a superstore can't thrive together side by side. It's not exactly as if Dreamland (or whatever it's now going to be called) is surrounded by nothing but parks & beaches (there's an ugly 60s tower block, a huge gap in the seafront where the buildings were burnt down, more flats being built in the Dreamland car park, an industrial estate round the back...).
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